Impressions Magazine and Impressions Expo have a new parent company, Forge. Forge is the new corporate brand bringing together Emerald and Questex following their acquisition by Apollo-managed funds in July 2026.
For the decorated apparel industry, the immediate message is simple: Impressions says no changes are planned for the magazine or its upcoming expos. The bigger question is what becoming part of Forge could mean over time.
How Impressions Magazine And Impressions Expo Became Part Of Forge
Impressions Magazine and Impressions Expo were part of Emerald, which has now been brought together with Questex under Forge. That places both Impressions brands within the new B2B events and media organization while allowing them to retain their established identities.
Forge CEO Paul Miller described the scale and direction of the new company:
“Today marks the beginning of Forge, a company built on the strengths of Emerald and Questex. Together we are now the largest B2B events and media company in North America, and one of the largest in the world. We’re helping customers see what is ahead and connect with the people who matter most to them, backed by the data, talent and scale to deliver measurable value year-round. Under Apollo Funds’ ownership, we will keep investing in our products, our people and the markets we serve. That’s what it means to move markets.”
— Paul Miller, Forge CEO
For Impressions, the key distinction is simple: the ownership has changed, but neither Impressions Magazine nor Impressions Expo has been replaced or renamed.
What Forge Means For Impressions Expo And The Decorated Apparel Industry
Very little appears to be changing immediately for the Impressions community.
Impressions says no changes are planned for Impressions Magazine or its upcoming Impressions Expo events. Show Director Kayla McGarry reinforced that message while acknowledging the possibilities surrounding Forge:
“There’s a lot of excitement around Forge and what bringing these two organizations together can create. At the same time, for the Impressions community, it’s very much business as usual. We remain focused on delivering great events, creating meaningful connections and continuing to grow alongside the industry.”
— Kayla McGarry, Impressions Expo Show Director
The upcoming event calendar reflects that business-as-usual message. Impressions Expo Dallas remains scheduled for October 21–23, 2026.
For decorators who attend Impressions Expo for education, equipment, suppliers and industry connections, nothing announced so far suggests those plans need to change because of Forge.
One visible difference may be the corporate branding. Forge says its brand will begin appearing across events, websites and other customer touchpoints as the new organization rolls out.
That does not mean the Impressions name is disappearing. Forge will sit above the existing brands, while Impressions Magazine and Impressions Expo continue under their established names.
What that eventually means specifically for Impressions remains open. Forge’s investment strategy could create opportunities for the magazine and Expo over time, but no specific new Impressions programs, magazine changes or Expo changes have been announced.
A Bigger Parent Company, But A Familiar Impressions Brand
Impressions Magazine and Impressions Expo have changed parent companies, not identities.
The publication and scheduled events continue under the established Impressions name, while the organization behind them now has the backing of Forge. For decorators, little changes in the immediate term.
The bigger story will be what Forge adds over time. For now, shops can continue treating Impressions Magazine and Impressions Expo as the industry brands they already know.
