AuctionsJun 03, 2021
Freeman’s Adds Regional Representative in the Midwest Events & AwardsJun 15, 2021
Longtime Trade Show Executive Joins Investment Bank
David Loechner, who headed Nielsen Expositions and then Emerald, is now managing director at Berkery Noyes.
David Loechner, the former head of Nielsen Expositions and Emerald, has joined investment bank Berkery Noyes as managing director.
New York—An executive with nearly 40 years’ experience in trade shows has joined Berkery Noyes, an independent, mid-market investment bank.
David Loechner is now managing director at Berkery Noyes, the bank announced last week.
Loechner was president of Nielsen Expositions in 2013, the arm of the Nielsen Company that owned and operated trade shows, including Couture and the JA New York shows.
He headed the $950 million sale of Nielsen Expositions to private equity firm Onex Corp. and became CEO of the newly named Emerald Expositions, an independent organization with more than 500 employees in 10 U.S. offices. (Emerald Expositions also owned National Jeweler before selling the publication to Jewelers of America in 2015.)
Following the sale, the company more than doubled in size, due largely in part to the completion of more than 16 acquisitions in five years, and Loechner was at the helm when it went public in 2017.
Now known as just Emerald, the company is the largest business-to-business trade show, conference and event operator in the United States.
After leaving Emerald, Loechner founded DLJ Events, a media and events advisory and management firm.
Related stories will be right here …
David Loechner is now managing director at Berkery Noyes, the bank announced last week.
Loechner was president of Nielsen Expositions in 2013, the arm of the Nielsen Company that owned and operated trade shows, including Couture and the JA New York shows.
He headed the $950 million sale of Nielsen Expositions to private equity firm Onex Corp. and became CEO of the newly named Emerald Expositions, an independent organization with more than 500 employees in 10 U.S. offices. (Emerald Expositions also owned National Jeweler before selling the publication to Jewelers of America in 2015.)
Following the sale, the company more than doubled in size, due largely in part to the completion of more than 16 acquisitions in five years, and Loechner was at the helm when it went public in 2017.
Now known as just Emerald, the company is the largest business-to-business trade show, conference and event operator in the United States.
After leaving Emerald, Loechner founded DLJ Events, a media and events advisory and management firm.
Loechner holds a bachelor’s in business administration and management from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois.
In a news release announcing his hire, the bank said Loechner brings extensive operational, capital markets and M&A experience to the role.
“As we reaffirm our long-standing history and commitment to covering the trade show and events marketplace, David adds a wealth of knowledge that will help achieve superior outcomes for our clients,” said James Berkery, managing partner at Berkery Noyes.
“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 over 150 events and media products each year in this sector, David knows what makes individual properties attractive.”
Loechner said: “I couldn’t be more pleased to join such an experienced and engaged senior team at Berkery Noyes. I aim to be a proven, experienced, and trusted resource for elevating and increasing our client’s success at such a pivotal time in the events and media industry.”
In a news release announcing his hire, the bank said Loechner brings extensive operational, capital markets and M&A experience to the role.
“As we reaffirm our long-standing history and commitment to covering the trade show and events marketplace, David adds a wealth of knowledge that will help achieve superior outcomes for our clients,” said James Berkery, managing partner at Berkery Noyes.
“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 over 150 events and media products each year in this sector, David knows what makes individual properties attractive.”
Loechner said: “I couldn’t be more pleased to join such an experienced and engaged senior team at Berkery Noyes. I aim to be a proven, experienced, and trusted resource for elevating and increasing our client’s success at such a pivotal time in the events and media industry.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
