What is horizontal integration in the context of event company expansion?

• A. Acquiring other events companies
• B. Acquiring suppliers such as event software providers
• C. Both A and B
• D. Expanding internationally only

Answer: (C)

Horizontal integration is when a company grows by purchasing other firms that operate at the same level of the industry, expanding market share and reducing competition. In the events field, that means buying other event companies to become bigger players in the same line of business. Acquiring suppliers is vertical integration, because it moves up or down the supply chain by taking control of inputs or services used to produce the event offerings. Expanding internationally is about geography and reach, not about combining firms at the same level of production. So, the expansion that fits horizontal integration in this context is acquiring other event companies, not suppliers or purely international growth.