Skip Farber, a beloved trade show industry leader with more than three decades of experience in the industry, passed away on January 4, 2023. He was 70.
Farber’s career includes time at Reed Exhibitions, Advanstar Communications, Security World Publishing and Cahners Exhibition Group, but he is best known for leading the World Shoe Association (WSA) show.
Farber joined WSA in 2004 as CEO and reinvigorated the WSA show into a premier event for the industry. The biannual show, held in Las Vegas, drew a crowd of approximately 37,000. In 2006, WSA sold its assets to WSA Global Holdings, LLC, which was at the time a new privately held company led by Farber and COO Diane Stone. Farber sold the footwear and accessories show to ENK International in 2006. He retired from WSA in 2009.
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In 2009, Farber and his son, Jason, formed Carlin Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm where he continued to work after retiring from the WSA, serving as a principal of the firm.
Farber was known for his generosity to the entertainment industry and the trade show industry, providing a $1 million grant to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research and an additional $37 million to entertainment industry organizations and charities.
He was active in the trade show industry with organizations such as American Business Media, SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers) and IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events), where he was also a frequent speaker.
Farber’s family and friends gathered for the funeral, which was held Jan. 10 at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife, Karen, his two children, Jason and Jodi, his sister and brother, and four grandchildren.
Tributes from industry leaders:
Darlene Gudea, President Emeritus of Trade Show Executive: “It was my second stint in 22 years at Cahners/Tradeshow Week in 1979 when Skip Farber became my boss. I joined a company that would span six continents and connect friends and mentors from around the world. Skip helped accelerate those connections by connecting me with global leaders and resources. It was rare and wonderful to have such a family atmosphere in the workplace, and I am so grateful because many of those strong friendships continue today.
“If I had to limit myself to one sentence to describe him, I would say that Skip had one of the sharpest minds in the business, coupled with a big heart. In a business that arguably involved one negotiation after another, he excelled because he listened as long as it took, and both parties felt like they got the best outcome from the deal.
“He had a great leadership style. He threw the TSW team into tough challenges to see how we would respond and guided us if we strayed off course. As long as he was there, we knew things would work out. He was our bulletproof vest, shielding us from company politics so we could focus on tough weekly deadlines. He came to work with an optimistic spirit and a warm laugh that I can still hear today.
“He cared about our lives outside the office, and likewise, we fell in love with his parents, his wife, Karen, his son, Jason, and his daughter, Jodi.
“I had not finished asking him for advice! He left too soon and so unexpectedly. My wish is that everyone has at least once in their life a boss like him. His memory will remain forever engraved in my heart.”
Irene Sperling, retired vice president and associate publisher at Trade Show Executive: “I met Skip in 1979 when I started working for my family’s publishing company, Security World Publishing. I had the pleasure of working with his parents and of course met Skip’s wife, Karen.
“Shortly after I joined, the company was sold to Cahners Publishing. Skip took me on the most interesting and exciting adventure of my professional life! He had a special way with people and connected me with Darlene Gudea at Tradeshow Week!
“He was never a micromanager. He challenged us daily and gave us plenty of room to maneuver. He was down to earth, always full of new ideas, thoughtful, outgoing and had an infectious laugh. He was sensitive to the needs of others, recognized accomplishments and made the impossible possible. With one of the brightest minds in our industry, you knew he was on an upward trajectory! And look what he accomplished in his lifetime! It’s breathtaking! I’ll never forget that Skip Farber smile.”
Cherif Moujabber, owner of Creative Expo and Conferences, Inc.: “Skip had a hard-working mind and a big heart. He was always willing to help, and if that wasn’t enough, he was as funny as could be. I was fortunate to spend three years with him, working day in and day out of our Los Angeles office. That’s where I got to know his sense of humor and how willing he was to help out, no matter the occasion. He was dedicated to his team and very witty. I will miss him deeply.”
Steve Sind, President and CEO of Global Events Strategies LLC: “I was fortunate to know Skip for nearly 40 years. As newcomers to the Cahners/Reed team, we naturally bonded, but more than that: Skip was a genuinely nice guy! He had an infectious laugh and smile, a wicked sense of humor, was very intelligent, and had a very quick wit (and always ready to express it). He became not only a close colleague, but a good and loyal friend, which is a winning trait. He loved what he did and was good at it, and while he was sometimes stubborn in the face of corporate bureaucracies, he kept going and succeeded.
“One such incident, as I was told and remember, occurred during the budget review in Los Angeles, a necessary evil when all the numbers were scrutinized and hotly debated. The numbers were cut, even the most insignificant were discussed, and for hours the staff who had worked so hard to get all the numbers together were put to the test. Not fun! Exhausting! On this day, however, Skip was prepared: he entered the room after everyone was seated. He began the meeting by taking out the biggest jar of Vaseline he could find, slamming it on the table, and saying, “I’m ready.” After that, everything went “smoothly.”
“When he moved to Reed’s headquarters in the Boston area, we would often meet up for lunch at Buff’s Pub around the corner—Eric Lisman and Tom Caridi included. Those were the GOOD days! I will always cherish those times together as “Buff’s Buddies” with our buddy and friend Skip.”
Eric Lisman, President of Media Front Inc.: “Our industry and its employees benefited immensely from Skip’s long career in trade shows and media. In addition to his high-level leadership of the company, he was always happy to provide insightful professional and personal advice to everyone he met. Those personal connections remained strong over the years, as we were all touched by his remarkable grace – and his equally remarkable sense of humor. Skip’s passing is an immeasurable loss.”
Contact Darlene Gudea at dgudea@tradeshowexecutive.com; Irene Sperling at irene.sperling@gmail.com; Cherif Moujabber to cherif@creative-expos.com; Steve Sind at (520) 241-9575 or ssind@event-strategy.com; Eric Lisman at (617) 803-6004 or elisman@mediafrontllc.com
Do you have any fond memories of Skip Farber? Feel free to share your thoughts and memories in the comments section below.