New York—It was announced that Galen Poss, industry veteran, joined Drake Star Partners as a Senior Advisor. Poss will continue his current duties with dmg events in addition to his new responsibilities with Drake Star Partners where he will focus specifically on the not-for-profit association-owned trade show market. Drake Star Partners is a global investment firm that focuses on the technology, media and communications sectors.
“The association sector comprises more than 60% of the U.S. trade show market, and an ever increasing number of association executives are exploring options relative to selling or partnering with for-profit organizers,” said Kathleen Thomas, Managing Partner at Drake Star Partners.
Poss currently serves as Vice Chairman for dmg events which owns and operates events globally in the construction and oil/gas sectors. Previously, he was President of Hanley-Wood Exhibitions, a division of Hanley-Wood, LLC from its inception in January 2000 until June of 2009. Poss was responsible for managing and growing the company’s exhibition activities, which are concentrated in the building and construction industry. During his tenure with Hanley Wood, the division grew from one show and $11 million in revenue to seventeen events and over $70 million in revenues.
“In many cases, an association’s annual convention and trade show are not part of the organization’s core mission but are vitally important to funding its initiatives,” said Poss. “This provides a unique opportunity for the not-for-profit sector and for-profit organizers to work together in a mutually beneficial relationship. I look forward to working with the team at Drake Star Partners to facilitate these relationships and to serve both portions of the marketplace.”
TSE reached out to Poss to inquire about how he would manage both positions or any conflict of interest but he did not immediately respond with comments.
Reach Galen Poss at (203) 973-2940 or galenposs@dmgevents.com; Kathleen Thomas at (212) 508-7116 or Kathleen.Thomas@drakestar.com
