NEW YORK — David Loechner, the show’s managing director, has joined Berkery Noyes, a mid-sized independent investment bank, as a managing director.
Loechner brings nearly four decades of trade show and event experience to his new role. He most recently served as Founder and CEO of DLJ Events, a media and event management and consulting firm. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of Emerald, one of the largest organizers of B2B conferences and events in the United States, and was instrumental in growing the company. In 2013, Loechner, then Chairman of Nielsen Expositions, led the sale of Nielsen and became CEO under new private equity ownership. The new organization became Emerald Expositions, an independent U.S. trade show, conference and B2B event company. After completing and integrating more than 16 acquisitions in five years, doubling the size of the company, he led the company through a successful IPO in 2017.
“I didn’t really expect to return to the industry, let alone in such a different way,” Loechner said. “However, after some discussions with Jim Berkery and several executives on his team over the last few months, I was very excited to take on a new role in another sector of the exhibition and media industry – helping media companies and trade show organizers better position and market their businesses for sale, either quietly or publicly if they were considering it, during this unprecedented time in our industry’s history. Post-pandemic, I think there will be some very interesting discussions around M&A.”
“I am a lifelong learner and have been fortunate to have held many different roles and responsibilities over my 40-year career in this industry,” he added. “I have learned something new in every position I have held and I look forward to continuing that in my new role.”
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James Berkery, Managing Partner at Berkery Noyes, said: “David has been on the buy side for so long and sees dozens of potential acquisitions cross his desk each year. In addition to his hands-on experience managing over 150 events and media products each year in this sector, he understands what makes individual properties attractive. David is able to uniquely position and analyze each company, highlighting their best qualities and future capabilities, which creates a competitive advantage for clients.”
Loechner said he has found that most trade associations or for-profit exhibition organizers considering selling their business are wary or unaware of the value of an investment banker in the process. “Selling your business is absolutely the most important decision a trade show or media owner will make, and they need every professional advantage they can get to make the most of it. I expect that with my proven, hands-on, and trusted experience in the industry at all levels, including the buyer side, and Berkery Noyes’ 31 years of M&A success, primarily on the seller side, we will provide a competitive advantage to sellers that exceeds their expectations in every area. I have worked at every level of this industry and know what buyers are looking for and how to showcase and position the company for sellers.” At Berkery Noyes, I am also able to provide advisory and consulting services to help event or media organizers better position their business for sale, even if they are not quite ready to seek a buyer yet.”
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As for the timing of the career change, Loechner said: “This may be the brightest time to be in this role after the pandemic, or conversely, it may be that no one is willing or interested in talking about it for a few years. We’ll see, but I predict the former.”
Contact David Loechner and James Berkery at (212) 668-3022 or email them through the Berkery Noyes website