Trade Show Industry Veteran Skip Farber Passes Away

January 12, 2023

Long-time trade show industry veteran Martin C. ("Skip") Farber passed away Jan. 4 in Los Angeles.

Farber worked for many years in both the business-to-business events and media worlds. Starting his career with Security World in 1974, he held leadership positions at Cahners Publishing, Reed Exhibitions, Reed Publishing USA, and Advanstar.

The capstone of his career was his acquisition in 2006 of the World Shoe Association, a business he ultimately sold to a portfolio company of private equity firm Forstmann Little & Co.

Following that transaction, Skip co-founded Carlin Capital Partners, a focused private equity investment firm, with his son Jason. 

During the years, Skip was an active speaker and participant in industry organizations including SISO, IAEE, and ABM; he also played a key role in building CEIR, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research.

"Skip was a giant in our industry.  After his decades of success in senior executive roles at Reed Exhibitions and Advanstar, Skip radically transformed World Shoe creating a remarkable event and immense value,” said Eric Lisman, president of Media Front.

He added, “But he will most be remembered for his devotion to his family, his kindness to all, and his vast network of close friends throughout our world. We were extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Skip, as he had such a positive impact and influence on everyone he met.  His passing is horribly sad for all of us."

Funeral services were held Jan. 10 at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

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