Forge Acquired Becker's Healthcare to Scale B2B Media
The acquisition combines legacy industry media assets to build an omnichannel platform for healthcare executives.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Healthcare
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Forge has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Chicago-based Becker's Healthcare from Pamlico Capital. The deal unites Becker's digital and event footprint with Forge's existing Fierce Healthcare and Life Sciences platform to target executive-level decision makers.
Why it matters
The move is designed to build scale in the healthcare information market by capitalizing on growth trends like aging populations and technological advancement. By combining complementary audiences and brands, the entities aim to accelerate their reach within the industry.
The deal brings 16 annual conferences and over a dozen digital publications under the Forge umbrella. Becker's Healthcare currently reaches 1.5 million executives annually and hosts 15,000 attendees at live events each year.
The players
Forge
An omnichannel B2B media and event platform formed by Apollo Funds through the merger of Emerald and Questex.
Becker's Healthcare
A Chicago-based media company specializing in industry digital publications and healthcare executive conferences.
Jessica Cole
The President and CEO of Becker's Healthcare who has led the organization since 2010.
The details
Forge, a platform formed by Apollo Funds through the 2026 merger of Emerald and Questex, intends to integrate Becker's into its existing healthcare portfolio. The combination aims to create a scaled omnichannel platform, leveraging Becker's established event-led model alongside Fierce Healthcare's digital infrastructure to capture greater market share in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
Timeline
2010: Jessica Cole began serving as President and CEO of Becker's Healthcare.
July 2026: Forge was formed following an acquisition by Apollo Funds.
September 30, 2026: Forge announced the definitive acquisition agreement.
Market Landscape
This acquisition follows the July 2026 formation of Forge by Apollo Funds, signaling an aggressive consolidation strategy within the B2B healthcare media sector. It marks a push to dominate high-growth niche markets by centralizing fragmented industry event and digital assets.
Operators in the healthcare space should anticipate changes in how industry information and event marketing are bundled as Forge integrates these assets. Review existing media partnerships and event sponsorship contracts to assess potential changes to reach or pricing models.
The takeaway
Consolidation in B2B media often leads to broader, cross-platform advertising requirements for suppliers and industry partners. Audit your current marketing spend across these specific platforms to prepare for potential unified service offerings in the coming months.
Further reading
For more on shifts in medical industry media, visit Healthcare.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EXHIBITOR Online.
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