Krakoff, Kemp and Forlenza All Make Career Moves
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 8/9/2004
Legendary tradeshow entrepreneur Bob Krakoff has retired as Advanstar Communications' chairman. Meanwhile, former Penton Media CEO Thomas Kemp has decided to try his hand at private equity, and longtime E.J. Krause & Associates executive Jim Forlenza is preparing to start his own company.
Forlenza, a senior vice president with E.J. Krause, is departing Aug. 13 to form an independent tradeshow firm. Forlenza, who has been with E.J. Krause for 13 years, declined to offer details on his planned new venture until after he has officially left the company.
He credits his experiences and opportunities at EJK for giving him the chance to go out on his own. "It's a great company and it's been a great experience working here," he said.
On the same day that Forlenza announced his plans, Veronis Suhler Stevenson announced that Kemp would be joining the New York merchant bank as a managing director. VSS backs both Hanley Wood and Canon Communications.
Finally, Krakoff marked his last day at Advanstar on July 30.
Krakoff worked with Hellman & Friedman in the acquisition of Advanstar in 1996 and served as its chairman and CEO from 1996 to 2003. The company in 2000 was sold to DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, a fund managed by Credit Suisse First Boston.
Krakoff stepped down as Advanstar CEO at the beginning of 2004, when COO Joe Loggia became CEO.
Krakoff joined Cahners Publishing in 1973 and within six months started a tradeshow company for Cahners that eventually became what is now Reed Exhibitions.
