NEW YORK — Trade show senior executive David Loechner has joined Independent mid-market investment bank Berkery Noyes as Managing Director.
Loechner brings almost 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 events advisory and management firm. He previously was President and CEO of Emerald, one of the largest B2B trade show conference and event operators in the U.S. — and was instrumental to the company’s rise. In 2013, Loechner, then President of Nielsen Expositions, led the sale process from the Nielsen Company and became CEO under new private equity ownership. The new organization became Emerald Expositions, an independent U.S. B2B trade show, conference and events company. After completing and integrating more than 16 acquisitions in five years — doubling the size of the company in the process — he led the company through a successful IPO in 2017.
“I hadn’t really expected to be back in the industry, let alone in such a different way,” said Loechner. “However, after some discussion with Jim Berkery and several executives on his team over the past few months, I grew very excited to take on a new role in a different part of the expositions and media business — to help media companies and show organizers best position and market their business for sale either discreetly or in a public way if they were contemplating that, at this most unprecedented time in our industries history. Post-pandemic I think there will be some very interesting M&A discussions occurring.
“I’m a continuous learner and I’ve been so lucky to have had many different roles and responsibilities in my 40-year career in this industry,” he added. “I have learned something new in every position I’ve had and I’m looking forward to that continuing in my new role.”
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James Berkery, Managing Partner at Berkery Noyes, said, “Being on the buy side for so long and seeing dozens of prospective acquisitions cross his desk annually, in addition to his hands-on experience operating more than 150 events and media products each year in this sector, David knows what makes individual properties attractive. David is able to uniquely position and discuss each business, highlighting their best qualities and forward capabilities, which is a competitive advantage for clients.”
Loechner said he has found most trade associations or for-profit expositions operators’ exploring the sale of their businesses are leery of or even unaware of an investment banker’s value 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 with my hands-on, proven and trusted experience in the industry at every level including the buy side, and Berkery Noyes 31-year successful track record in M&A, primarily on sell side, that we will provide a competitive advantage for sellers exceeding their expectations in all areas. I’ve operated at every level of this industry, and I know what buyers are looking for and how to highlight and position the business for sellers. At Berkery Noyes I’m also able to provide consulting and advisory work in helping event or media operators better position their business for sale now even if they aren’t quite at the ready point in looking for a buyer.”
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As to the timing of his career move, Loechner said, “This might be the most brilliant time to be in this position post-pandemic or, conversely it may be that no one is ready or interested to talk for a few years. We’ll see, but I predict the former.”
Reach David Loechner and James Berkery at (212) 668-3022 or email them through the Berkery Noyes website
