Questex Media Group Sells to Shamrock Capital Advisors PE Firm

September 22, 2014

Newton, Mass.-based Questex Media Group, which has more than over 100 digital media products and over 50 conferences, tradeshows and events, was bought by L.A.-based Shamrock Capital Advisors for an undisclosed sum.

The company was acquired in partnership with senior management.

“Shamrock Capital is the perfect partner for Questex at this point in our evolution,” said Kerry Gumas, Questex Group president and CEO.

He added, “They have a deep understanding of the media, communications and entertainment sectors and the customers we serve. They support our ongoing business initiatives and they share our goal of extending Questex’s service offerings and market footprint.”

Questex’s areas of focus include Hospitality& Travel, Beauty & Wellness, Nightclub & Bar, Entertainment, I.T. & Telecom and Life Sciences & Healthcare groups, a digital media industry-leading publisher, FierceMarkets, and a leading market research and advisory services provider, InfoTrends.

Shows in its portfolio include the Nightclub & Bar Convention & Trade Show and the International Beauty Show, as well as a portfolio of hospitality and travel events.

“Over the years, Questex has aggregated a unique set of assets with significant untapped potential,” said William Wynperle, partner at Shamrock Capital Advisors.

He added, “We look forward to working with Kerry and the Questex team to capitalize on a tremendous need in today’s marketplace through additional strategic investments and the benefit of our combined experience.”

Shamrock currently is investing out of Shamrock Capital Growth Fund III, a $400 million fund raised in 2011.

Shamrock’s current investments include FanDuel, Giant Creative/Strategy, Isolation Network, MarketCast, Mobilitie, PGOA Media, Questex, Screenvision and T3 Media. 

“Since Questex was founded nine years ago, it has evolved into a technology-enabled platform integrating events, digital media and information products,” Gumas said.

He added, “The Shamrock team shares our vision of the vital benefits that business events and high quality digital information products and solutions can provide our customers to aid them in achieving their business and professional objectives. We are especially glad to be able to partner with Shamrock to continue to invest in these services for the benefit of all our customers and stakeholders.”

Questex has 350 employees located in offices throughout the United States of America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

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