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In the News
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************************************************************************************** Luntz, SuleimanAnnual Networking Reception October 21, 2008 - New York - This "by invitation only" event is held annually at The Palm West in Manhattan and brings together 100 of the best, brightest, and most successful CEO's and their senior management colleagues in the training, tradeshow, publishing, and information industries. Some comments from this year's event: As always, the LSA Networking Reception was a great success. Good food and drinks and, most importantly, a chance to catch up with colleagues and make new acquaintances. A great business opportunity, and fun to boot. Vic Rubino, Practising Law Institute. It was great, as was last year. You know you have a good thing going when people come more than once! Thanks again for including me and my guests. Deni Auclair, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Just a short note to thank you for inviting me to your cocktail reception a few days ago. I met some old friends and renewed some long lost acquaintances. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Herbert Johnson, Nutmet Investment Partners, LLC I felt the LSA reception was an excellent opportunity to spend relatively little time for potentially valuable contacts. You made it very easy for me to meet people with whom I found common interests. So add good food and drink and it becomes a very desirable event to attend. Thanks for the hospitality. Cabot Jaffee, Sr., AlignMark
If you or one of your senior management team would like to join us at either our annual or our next event elsewhere, simply e-mail Laura Cullinane at laura@luntzsuleiman.com and we'll keep you informed about future events. ******************************************************************************************************************* Whitestone Communications andLuntz, Suleiman & Associates Represent Results in Learning in Sale to Moody International September 13, 2007 - London
- Dale Carnegie Training & Associates, Inc., founded in 1912,
has evolved from one man's belief in the power of self-improvement
to a performance-based training company with offices worldwide.
Now in a desire to further grow its privately held business, Dale
Carnegie has appointed investment banking firms Whitestone Communications
and Luntz, Suleiman & Associates to assist jointly in the development
of an acquisition strategy and pursuit of transactions with potential
prospects. Fagiano asks that organizations interested in talking with Dale Carnegie should direct their inquiries to Baran Rosen, CEO of New York-based Whitestone Communications. Rosen says, "This is truly an exciting assignment for us. Both Anver Suleiman and I have been involved in the training industry for several decades and know the owners of most of the training and related companies personally. This assignment is prestigious and represents a unique opportunity for us to help make a dramatic impact on one of the world’s best-known companies in training and to work with people we have known for the better part of our careers." Rosen can be contacted confidentially at 212-957-7100 ext. 209 or via e-mail at brosen@whitestonecommunications.com. About Dale Carnegie Training About Whitestone Communications,
Inc. About Luntz, Suleiman & Associates,
Inc. For more information, please contact: ************************************************************************************************************* Anver Suleiman Wins Handball Championship August
3, 2007, Coney Island, New York - 76-year old Anver Suleiman,
CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., won The Diamond Singles
National One-Wall Handball Championship today at Coney Island, New
York. Suleiman, defeating Frank Morris 21-17, 20-21, 11-9 in the
tie-breaker, is a nine-time singles champion. One more win and Suleiman
will be nominated for the Handball Hall of Fame. ************************************************************************************************************* LSA Announces Another Training Transaction: Wicks Business Information Acquires Compliance Conference Company St. Petersburg, FL - Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., consultants and financial advisors to the training, tradeshow, conference and information industries, initiated, and assisted in the negotiations on behalf of Executive Enterprise Institute, LLC (EEI) in its sale to Wicks Business Information, LLC (WBI). The EEI seminars and conferences join Wicks' growing stable of business information resources which include magazines, database directories, Web sites, conferences and newsletters. According to Anver Suleiman, who managed the engagement for Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., “It’s always a question of finding the right buyer, the right time, the right fit, the right deal construct, and the right set of synergies. EEI had many suitors and Wicks won out based on that combination of factors with very heavy emphasis on the good chemistry developed between the parties during the process.” “It is our desire to see the EEI evolve, while retaining the unique characteristics that are the foundation for its success,” said Glenn Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer of EEI. “We found in Wicks a portfolio of compliance-related businesses extremely compatible to our conference and seminar programs, as well as a culture and values that are a perfect match for us. Our management team and employees are all staying aboard and are genuinely enthusiastic about our future within Wicks. We have already begun to harness some of the obvious synergies and our business is reaping the benefits. It is impossible to adequately express our appreciation for all the energy Anver Suleiman gave to making absolutely certain that the chemistry was just as right and important as the financial terms. His vast experience, his knowledge of the conference and professional information universe and his genuine concern for our needs made all the difference in the world.” Established in 1989, Luntz, Suleiman &
Associates, Inc. provides consulting, investment banking, and strategic
advisory services to the training, education, exposition and information
industries. For more information visit the firm’s website
at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************* “Mergers
& Acquisitions in the Training Industry” St. Petersburg, FL – A special “by invitation only” session for training company owners and buyers has been added to the schedule at the upcoming ASTD 2006 International Conference & Exhibition taking place May 7-10, 2006 in Dallas. LSA CEO Anver Suleiman, joined by Whitestone Communications’ President Baran Rosen, will present “M&A Activity in the Training Marketplace” on Monday, May 8 from 9:45 to 11:00 AM. These two savvy M&A specialists will explore buying and selling training companies and create winning relationships. Everything from preparing your company or property for an acquisition or divestiture to the 9 negotiation traps all buyers and sellers face during the transaction process. With over 40 years of experience in the training industry as a practitioner, teacher, speaker, strategist, consultant and investment banker, Suleiman, CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, has been advising his clients not to sell for the past four years. Now, however, is the time, according to Suleiman, “Ever since the stunning acquisition of training/conference/tradeshow conglomerate IIR by T&F Informa the training marketplace has heated up. Profits have returned and the multiples buyers are willing to pay are increasing. This is an ideal time to get your house in order and develop a smart strategic plan with meaningful options.” Transactions
of all types are closely monitored by Baran Rosen’s Whitestone
Communications publication “Who’s Buying Whom.”
Rosen, an investment banker and former acquisition specialist with
McGraw-Hill and Simon & Schuster, will provide an update on
the state of the acquisition market, who the major buyers are today,
what prices and multiples are being paid, what types of businesses
are getting the highest and lowest values, and what the outlook
is for future deal activity. Established
in 1989, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. provides consulting,
investment banking, and strategic advisory services to the training,
education, exposition and information industries. For additional
information about the company and/or specific situations, contact
Laura Cullinane at 727-367-0700 or visit the website at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************** Investment
Banking Firm Luntz, Suleiman & Associates. Inc. Sponsors Exhibitor
Lounges St.
Petersburg, FL –
For the second year in a row, investment banking firm Luntz, Suleiman
& Associates (LSA), Inc. is both a contributing sponsor for
the American Society for Training & Development’s 2006
International Conference & Exhibition (ASTD/ICE) and official
host for the conference’s exhibitor lounge areas. With over 45 transactions in the training and information industries, LSA is a leader in the M&A business. Additionally, Suleiman has consulted for, and trained many of, the major training organizations over the past four decades, including Institute for International Research, American Management Association, Fred Pryor, CareerTrack, American Society of Association Executives, National Seminars, Practising Law Institute, McGraw-Hill, Battelle Memorial Institute, Creative Training Techniques International, Management Centre Europe, and many others. The
ASTD event is the world’s premier showcase for the latest
information from and about the training industry. Visit ASTD online
at www.astd.org for more information on ASTD ICE 2006, and LSA at
www.luntzsuleiman.com for more information on mergers and acquisitions,
strategic alliances, capital formations, divestitures and venture
capital deals. ************************************************************************************************************** LSA Announces Another Transaction Just Hours Before Terrorist Strike St. Petersburg, FL – Literally hours before the July 7th terrorist attacks in London, the latest LSA transaction was approved and closed. It was the sale of the assets of US-based Incoming Calls Management Institute (ICMI) to CMP Media, a subsidiary of London-based United Business Media (UBM). ICMI joins UBM’s growing stable of information service products which include magazines, handbooks, Web sites, databases, and Call Center conferences held around the world. ICMI’s mission is to help it clients, members and their call centers achieve operational excellence and superior operating results. Its events and marketing products include training and customized educational services provided to a wide and growing membership and client base, directly and via a network of global partners. ICMI’s global partnership arrangements include activities in Argentina, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Spain and The United Arab Emirates. Gary Marshall, CEO of CMP Media, states “The quality of ICMI’s materials and its client base further strengthens our global position at an exciting time of opportunity in the call center market – as it develops and grows in response to off-shore developments and new technologies.” According to Anver Suleiman, CEO of LSA, “For the past four years I have been advising clients to buy, not sell. Now I am advising owners of tradeshows and training companies to sell. Multiples are healthy once again, and the buyers are hungry.” Established in 1989, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. provides consulting, investment banking, and strategic advisory services to the training, education, exposition and information industries. For more information visit the firm’s website at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************** LSA
Announces Another Transaction: St. Petersburg, FL - Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., consultants and financial advisors to the training and information industries, initiated, and assisted in the negotiations on behalf of Wicks Business Information in its divestiture of the Briefings Publishing Group to Douglas Publications. The Briefings publications join Douglas' growing stable of business information resources which include magazines, database directories, Web sites, voice/data conferences and newsletters. The Briefings properties included in the transaction include nine pad-subscription newsletters for managers and executives (American Speakers, Communication Briefings, The Competitive Advantage, First-Rate Customer Service, Leadership Strategies, Manager's Edge, The Organized Executive, Team Management Briefings and Trend Letter), Web sites, email newsletters and more than 60 training tools (books and videos). Established in 1989, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. provides consulting, investment banking, and strategic advisory services to the training, education, exposition and information industries. For more information visit the firm’s website at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************** Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. to Sponsor ASTD Exhibitor Lounges in 2005 St. Petersburg, FL - The consulting and investment banking firm of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA), headed up by training marketing authority, consultant and financial advisor Anver Suleiman, will once again sponsor the exhibitor lounges at the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) International Conference & Exposition in Orlando scheduled for the first week of June 2005. According to Suleiman, "We do this as a way of showing our commitment to the industry. I've spent most of my life in training and there is no more important event for our field than ASTD's Annual Conference." His firm, LSA, has consulted for hundreds of training business owners and buyers, held seminars on marketing training, and completed over 40 transactions in the training and events industries. "After a multi-year “almost hiatus” in training acquisitions caused by the economy, 9/11, and the failure of most consolidations, e.g. EPS, Provant, The FrontlineGroup, etc., there is a renewed interest in the training industry by both strategic and financial buyers. This is a great time to consider being acquired and to prepare for it" adds Suleiman who had been advising clients to "wait before selling" for the past four years. Despite that advice Suleiman handled the large divestiture of American Management Association's Kansas City-based Padgett-Thompson Division to National Seminars during the downturn. "We did this creatively by selling to a major competitor and structured the deal so that both sides ended up with a better financial outcome than they would have had individually." Established
in 1989, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. provides consulting,
investment banking, and strategic advisory services to the training,
education, exposition and information industries. For more information
visit the firm’s website at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************** Anver Suleiman, LSA CEO, to Moderate Investment Banking Panel at SISO St. Pete Beach, FL, February 17, 2004 - It's been a strange time for the tradeshow industry and even stranger for those looking to acquire or sell tradeshows. SISO, the Society for Independent Show Organizers, is convening a special panel at this year's Annual CEO Conference in Scottsdale in April and has asked Anver Suleiman, CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates to organize and moderate the sure to be exciting session. According to Anver, "The panel participants are a group of the finest minds in the tradeshow investment banking field and includes: Roland DeSilva, Managing Director, DeSilva & Phillips; Robert Crosland, Managing Director, AdMedia Partners, Inc.; Richard Meade, Managing Director, The Jordan, Edminston Group, Inc.; Joel Novak, Managing Director, Berkery, Noyes & Company, LLC; and Jeffrey Stevenson, Managing Partner and Co-Chief Executive, Veronis Suhler Stevenson. "We have asked each of these fellows to present what they feel are the most significant trends and directions that will impact M&A in the future and do it in under 3 minutes. That will leave the rest of the time open for a lively exchange with the audience" says Suleiman. "After all, attendees are CEO's and will want that kind of opportunity to probe, challenge, extract, and learn." Anver himself an investment banker with over 40 transactions under his belt, also consults for tradeshow and training companies looking to either grow or prepare for sale. For more information on the session and the entire conference go to www.SISO.org or call 877YES-SISO. Established
in 1989, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. provides consulting,
investment banking, and strategic advisory services to the tradeshow
and training industries. For more information, visit the firm’s
website at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************** Crosby Acquired by The Capability Group: Chalk Up Another for LSA St. Pete Beach, FL, November 12, 2003- In an agreement for an undisclosed amount The Capability Group, Inc. of Boston acquired substantially all of the intellectual property and assets of the late Philip Crosby, the legend, author, and pioneer in quality management. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA) represented Philip Crosby Associates II, Inc., headed up by President & CEO, Wayne Kost. According to Anver Suleiman of LSA, "The Crosby family is totally committed to continuing the Crosby legacy and felt that this relationship would ensure that continuity." In 1979, when he was Vice President of ITT, Philip Crosby wrote Quality Is Free. For the first time, Quality was defined in absolute terms, so that specific measurements of work performance could be charted, establishing at a glance whether or not Quality existed in a given workplace, or even at a single workstation. Crosby also introduced his Four Absolutes of Quality Management™, which remain the cornerstone of the PCA II philosophy today. In the years that followed, more than 100,000 managers and executives attended The Quality College™. They came from six continents, from multinational corporations and family-owned businesses. The diversity of business people, from Norway to Argentina, Spain to Singapore, who have sought to understand and adopt Crosby's concepts of Quality Management testifies to both the power and the universality of those truths. Today, Philip Crosby Associates II reaches a worldwide clientele, delivering Crosby's philosophy of Quality Management and customer focus to executives, managers and government ministers who understand its importance. The Capability Group, led by President Kevin Weiss, is a natural partner for Crosby. TCG is dedicated to helping organizations improve their performance through process alignment. The blueprint they use to help accomplish this task is Six Sigma. This acquisition will enhance their strong core of professionals and enable them to continue to develop best-in-class material, techniques, and approaches to help their clients win. Their consultants are highly skilled business leaders who have run organizations and successfully positioned companies for growth. For additional information contact: Laura Cullinane, Research Director, LSA (laura@luntzsuleiman.com), Wayne Kost, President & CEO, PCA II (waynekost@philipcrosby.com), or Kevin Weiss, President, The Capability Group (kevin.weiss@capabilitygroup.com). Established
in 1989, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. provides consulting,
investment banking, and strategic advisory services to the training,
education, exposition and information industries. For more information,
visit the firm’s website at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************** Anver Suleiman to Moderate SISO Session in Scottsdale on "Mergers & Acquisitions in Fast-Changing Times"
This session will be moderated by Anver Suleiman, CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. Panelists
include Roland DeSilva of DeSilva and Philips, Robert Crosland of
Ad MEdia Partners, Richard Mead of the Jordan Edminston Group, Joel
Novak of Berkery Noyes & Co., and Jeffrey Stevenson of Veronis,
Suhler & Stevenson. ************************************************************************************************************** Association
for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) Appoints Anver Suleiman to
Announcement…. Recently, the ACHE listserv received a query regarding adjunct faculty handbooks. The follow-up responses indicated that, while a few institutions have a handbook, many more are interested in implementing one. A number of you volunteered to work on a project to develop a "best practices" adjunct handbook and others expressed the "need" for a new ACHE Network. To respond to your expressed need, the Faculty Best Practices Handbook Network has been created. ACHE
is very pleased and honored to announce that Anver Suleiman, CEO, Future
network/association activities include: • soliciting, via the listserv, volunteers to serve • soliciting inputs via "5 Minutes" • the Network will gather inputs and craft the Best Practices Handbook • ACHE will publish the Handbook via its website • the Network would have the option of presenting a session at the 2004 annual meeting. •
Anver will solicit inputs via the ACHE listserv. Or you can contact
him •
Also, information regarding Anver Suleiman and Luntz, Suleiman &
Associates, Inc. may be found at the following web site www.luntzsuleiman.com.
************************************************************************************************************** LSA
CEO, Anver Suleiman, to Present Webinar February 2003 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. CEO Anver Suleiman will deliver an online session for the Instructional Systems Association. The webinar, "Looking At Your Own Company Like a Buyer" will be presented on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 from 12:00 - 1:00 EST. During this interactive presentation Anver will cover: Getting Things in Order; Benchmarking; Competitive Analysis; Critical Ratios; Positioning; Succession; Budgeting; and Incentives. According to Anver, "Reviewing these key elements is great discipline - it prepares your company for the future, forces you to take a hard look at the current situation, and opens the door to new opportunities." Anver will walk participants through just how to do all of these things to see their organization as a buyer would. Being prepared is one of the best ways to set a firm plan for the future, whatever it may hold. Visit www.isaconnection.org for complete details on the webinar and how to register. ************************************************************************************************************** LSA
CEO, Anver Suleiman, named in January 2003 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - For the second year in a row, Anver Suleiman, CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., has been named to Lifelong Learning Market Report's prestigious list of the Top 20 People to Watch in Corporate Training for 2003. LLMR developed its list of the top 20 people to watch after conducting an exclusive poll of executives and analysts. Criteria included an individual's thought leadership; the ability to move beyond vision to execution; and the ability to create new opportunities and business value. According to Suleiman, "The training industry has gone through the greatest set of both catastrophes and opportunities in recent history. What Bob Pike calls "The Perfect Storm" i.e., the confluence of 9/11, an economic downturn based on the dot.com meltdown, and the integrity crisis brought about by a series of Enron-type fiascos. Yet, at the same time, we have an ever-increasing need for training based on globalization, technology-related breakthroughs, and training/learning breakthroughs that have actually impacted how, where, and when we train. This is no time for the slow-to-react. It is the era of the agile training provider. The provider able to serve clients with newly focused programs, new topics and in new modes. And the market for training company owners looking to sell their businesses has been the hardest hit of all. Hit by the failures of Provant, EPS and Frontline... and a concomitant lack of enthusiasm on the part of the investment community." Ever the optimist, Anver says, "As with many markets, we will return to some level of normalcy, but it may be a while. And conditions are likely to be further exacerbated short-term by a potential war with Iraq. Only the fleet of foot and well-funded will endure and prosper." The entire list of people to watch can be found in Lifelong Learning Market Report, January 24, 2003, Volume 8, Number 2, pages 4-5. ************************************************************************************************************** LSA
Announces Another Transaction: January 2003 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., consultants and financial advisors to the training industry, initiated, negotiated and acted as financial advisor on behalf of ARBOR, Inc. in the divestiture of its Education & Training Division to ResCare, Inc. ARBOR E&T has become part of ResCare's Division of Training Services and is expcted to generate approximately $20 million in annual revenue. Each year, ARBOR E&T assists more than 5,000 people, including welfare recipients, young people, displaced homemakers, and people who have been laid off or have special barriers to employment, to transition into the workforce and become productive employees. The system is the successful evolution of a variety of training and program models over the company's 36-year history. According to Dennis Tarr, who managed the engagement for Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., "The synergy between these two companies was evident at multiple levels from the very beginning. What this transaction really underscores is the quality of corporate leadership. When people of integrity spend time together to develop trust and confidence, not even a challenging economic environment can stop the inevitable win/win for both sides." Ronald G. Geary, ResCare chairman, president and chief executive officer, said "We believe ARBOR E&T is an exciting addition to the ResCare family of services. Our Division for Training Services has excelled in becoming one of the leading Job Corps contractors in the United States, providing training and jobs for young people with special needs. ARBOR expands our capabilities, enabling us to reach a broader base of people who need assistance in becoming successful employees." ARBOR E&T's successful and experienced management team, led by its president, Dr. Gabriel Ross, will join ResCare. In commenting on the acquisition, Dr. Ross added, "I'm very excited about becoming part of the ResCare team. This transaction allows us to expand our services to more people, providing them with educational and job placement supports that will change their lives." ************************************************************************************************************** LSA
Announces Another Transaction: Gainshare Media LLC Acquires December 2002-- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., consultants and financial advisors to the tradeshow industry, initiated, negotiated and acted as financial advisor on behalf of Meetings & More, Inc. in its divestiture of The Super Floral Show to Gainshare Media LLC. The Super Floral Show is the dominant tradeshow in the floral mass marketing industry, attracting over 400 highly-qualified buyers and 300+ exhibiting companies annually. The exhibit floor for the 14 year-old event has been sold out every year since its inception. According to Anver Suleiman, who managed the engagement for Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., "These are difficult times for the tradeshow industry. Nonetheless, profitable shows that dominate their markets still command good value for sellers and represent good value for buyers." "It is our desire to see the SFS evolve, while retaining the unique characteristics that are the foundation for its success," said Jim Johnson, CEO of Meetings & More, Inc. "To this end, we sought an organization that would respect the floral industry, maintain the integrity of the SFS, build on its success and invest in its future. Gainshare Media has the integrity, resources, experience and fresh perspectives required to meet the expectations of SFS exhibitors, buyers and the floral industry." Don Berey will be the Show Director for The Super Floral Show and has 20 years experience developing and directing tradeshows in the information technology, gaming, finance and hospitality industries. Don was formerly with IDG EXPO Management, Blenheim Group USA, and his own event consulting company. ************************************************************************************************************** LSA
Represents AMA in Transaction Combining Padgett-Thompson Division
June 2002-- St. Pete Beach, FL - Florida investment banking firm Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., initiated, negotiated and acted as financial advisor on behalf of American Management Association to combine its Padgett-Thompson Division with Rockhurst University Corporate Education Center, Inc. (National Seminars Group), a division of Rockhurst University. Under the terms of this transaction, AMA will maintain an equity stake in Rockhurst after the purchase is completed. The Padgett-Thompson Division is one of the largest providers of one- and two-day seminars in the U.S. operating under the well-known names of Padgett-Thompson and Keye Productivity Center. The division began operations in 1976 and conducts over 3,000 seminars annually attended by over 100,000 individuals. AMA's CFO, Vivianna Guzman, comments on the transaction, "AMA is very proud of the accomplishments of Padgett-Thompson since its acquisition. We have found an ideal partner in Rockhurst. They have an excellent track record for providing training and professional development programs. We are pleased with this partnership with Rockhurst which will continue to bring one- and two-day management education to every corner of the United States and Canada. This decision comes at a time when AMA is focusing more closely on its core business, enabling us to position our Association for growth throughout the United States and globally." According to Anver Suleiman, who managed the engagement for Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., "This transaction is unique and a wonderful deal for both parties. The economies of scale and resultant efficiencies will make Rockhurst the second largest provider in the industry immediately and ultimately could propel it into first place. Not only are there cost efficiencies, but also the additional product and brand pickup will provide National with greater market reach." AMA purchased Padgett-Thompson in 1991. Since then, under the Padgett-Thompson, Keye Productivity and Success Builders brands, the division has continued to fulfill its mission of providing education on business and management topics to hundreds of thousands of attendees each year. ************************************************************************************************************** Training
Consultant & Investment Banker CEO to Speak at ISA Annual Conference
November 2001-- St. Pete Beach, FL - After nearly three decades in the training industry as a practitioner, teacher, author and consultant, Anver Suleiman, now CEO of the consulting and investment banking firm Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. will share his years of experience with the owners of training firms in a special session at the upcoming Instructional Systems Association (ISA) Annual Conference "Taking Care of Business" being held March 17 - 20, 2002 in Scottsdale, Arizona. In short, Suleiman plans to tell the audience why "now generally" is not a good time to sell if you are looking to "cash in" and haven't thought about it before, and why "now especially" is definitely not the time (unless you are either a great exception to the rule, or have a compelling reason), due to lower multiples and/or lower performance. Yet now is a great time, according to Suleiman, to start to prepare for selling which involves a methodical look at the business, the people, the plans, and how to position all the elements of the equation for maximum valuation and a smooth transition to the acquirer. In a recent interview Suleiman said "There are creative approaches, similar to the traditional earn-out, that can work in this environment... but earn-outs tend to put people in semi-adversarial positions." For information about the ISA Annual Conference, visit their website at www.isaconnection.org and for more information about Anver Suleiman and his firm, visit their website at www.luntzsuleiman.com. ************************************************************************************************************** Tough
Times For Independent Owners: Focus Now on Building and the Future... August 2001-- St. Pete Beach, FL - "Now is the time to invest in your future, not sell it off." These the words from an unlikely source, M&A consultant and advisor, Anver Suleiman, CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. According to Suleiman, many show owners are panicking in these difficult economic times and looking to sell their shows when they should be looking to protect their investments. He cites lower multiples being paid by buyers coupled with lower profits for events due to lower attendance and diminished exhibitor/sponsor support as the "double whammy" that selling show owners are facing in today's marketplace. "Even the large buyers who own most of the shows are feeling the pressure. And if they are public companies they are getting squeezed too and will only invest in sure things at low multiples." Suleiman's Rx for show owners: analyze, invest, protect, create, review pricing structure and policies, packaging and ancillary products/services, and above all…stay focused. He actually has a 25 point checklist for clients that includes a matrix approach to leveraging marketing dollars based on ROM's (Return on Marketing $) real or projected. The matrix tells you when to mail, what to mail, how many and how often. Some of the most successful show owners have used his approach to increase attendance on what he calls a "close-to-scientific" basis. And for those who are afraid they'd better sell now before their next event, Suleiman claims "It's too late. Savvy buyers, and most of them are, will see through that during due diligence and walk away from the deal…or very significantly renegotiate." There is a bright side to the story though. Suleiman says that for those buyers with vision, courage, and the money, this is the very best time he has seen to buy in a quarter of a century. ************************************************************************************************************** LSA
Announces Another Transaction: August 2001-- St. Pete Beach, FL - Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc., consultants and financial advisors to the tradeshow industry, represented International Conference Development, Inc. (ICDevents) that was acquired by Imark Communications, Inc. earlier this month. According to LSA's CEO Anver Suleiman, "This acquisition is a great strategic fit for both sides. A true win/win situation. And it's typical of what happens when a seller doesn't have the resources or infrastructure to take it to the next level. The fact that both buyer and seller were within a few miles of one another will make the transition exceptionally smooth." The events included in the transaction: ·
eCustomer Intimacy ************************************************************************************************************** "Don't Cut Marketing Dollars in Bad Times if You Want to Survive" May 2001 -- St. Pete Beach, FL - "Don't cut marketing dollars in bad times if you want to survive and prosper" is the advice from Anver Suleiman, CEO of the investment banking/consulting firm, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. And he ought to know. For twenty years Suleiman taught a monthly seminar on marketing for people in the training business and CEO's in the training field have sought his strategic marketing counsel for the past twenty five years -- especially in difficult times. CEO's from organizations like American Management Association, The Friedman Group, Pryor Resources, ESI, CareerTrack, Practising Law Institute, Management Centre Europe, Institute for International Research, and dozens of others, including the continuing education arms of universities and associations. Anver is also very well published, articles by and about him have appeared in virtually every professional and trade journal in the field. According to Suleiman "Sure, you have to think about where you spend your money… especially when the pressure is on. But think smarter, and don't cut off your source of business, your source of leads, your source of stature in the field. Let your competitors spend less, while you spend more (or at least the same) and take away business from them. No better time to do it." Suleiman goes on to talk about how to reallocate marketing dollars -- reallocate to media, markets, vehicles, customers, and prospects most likely to give the greatest return. "It's amazing" he continues "how smart we can get when the going gets tough." He also suggests reexamining every element of your own business model to see where you can get the most leverage. Whether from specific recession-proof industries, international, pricing, discounts, trials, sales force additions, or any of dozens of other components, "Use your common sense. You need more fire power in tough times. Not less. More focus. Not less. More leads. Not fewer. More revenue. Not less. It's going to cost you more to get the same amount of revenue -- more calls, more brochures, higher prices. Everything is fair game." Suleiman adds, "Forget about the crazy stuff (unless it isn't going to cost you very much). Apply solid, logical, structured analytical thinking. Involve your people -- They know where the opportunities are. It's like handicapping a horse race. It's like deciding what stroke to apply in any sport. It's like making any decision. Play the odds. You have the information. Analyze it. Make your successes and failures work for you. And get the jump on the competition." But the last thing you should do is cut your marketing costs. "It's like driving through Death Valley with a quarter tank of gas." Well… he certainly gives us a lot to think about. For more thinking on training business models, marketing, and preparing training companies for potential acquisition, visit the company's website www.luntzsuleiman.com. And watch for the upcoming release of his "Matrix for Allocating Marketing Dollars" already used by scores of former clients. ************************************************************************************************************** Positioning Your Training Company for Sale: Questions to Ask
1. Are you selling to a public company or a private company? Public companies are driven heavily by multiples of EBITDA, not revenue, not share of market, not uniqueness of product line, not talent… all important… but not the deal/valuation drivers. 2. Are you selling to a company in the training business… or looking to get in? 3. Are you selling to a consolidator (new or existing)? 4. Are you selling for cash or stock? 5. Are you selling to a company who buys based on history or the future? 6. Are you selling to a company who wants you? Your key people? No one? 7. Are you, by chance, selling to a non-profit? 8. Are you selling to a company that believes they can use your company to better serve a marketplace they currently serve? 9. Are you selling to a company that already has made similar acquisitions, or is this their first? 10. Are you selling a flat growth history? Rapid growth? Going down hill? 11. Have you made a list of your most valuable assets? And looked at them as a buyer might? 12.
Where is the real leverage for the growth and profitability of your
company? The answer here, though different for different buyers,
will ultimately determine how much a buyer will bid. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. will be a sponsor for training company exhibitors at the upcoming American Society for Training & Development 2001 Conference & Expo taking place June 1-7, 2001 in Orlando, Florida. For more information or for a copy of the mini report "Positioning Your Training Company for Sale" contact Laura Cullinane, Director of Research at lcullinane@aol.com, or call her at 727-367-0700. The full mini report can be viewed by clicking here. ************************************************************************************************************** When Not To Use a Broker to Sell Your Company May 2001 -- St. Pete Beach - When you sell your home... you use a broker, right? Well, not always. There is "For Sale by Owner." You save the commission, you do the work, and you get the same price the broker would have, less the commission. Or do you? Veteran investment banker, Anver Suleiman, CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (www.luntzsuleiman.com) offers some practical advice on when to, and when not to, use an investment banker in a just-released mini-report entitled "When Not To Use a Broker to Sell Your Company". According to Suleiman, there are investment brokers that are just right for you... and others who aren't. As in real estate, it's a question of finding one who knows your business, the likely buyers, the kind of person who will understand how to create maximum value for you. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. will be a sponsor for the upcoming American Society for Training & Development 2001 Conference & Expo taking place June 1-7, 2001 in Orlando, Florida. For more information or for a complimentary copy of the mini report "When Not To Use a Broker to Sell Your Company" contact Laura Cullinane, Director of Research at lcullinane@aol.com, or call her at 727-367-0700. The full mini report can also be viewed by clicking here. ************************************************************************************************************** Poor
Communications, Unrealistic Expectations, Personal Chemistry May 2001 -- St. Pete Beach, FL - "Most deals that fall through shouldn't…" according to investment banker Anver Suleiman, CEO of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA). And it all boils down to doing your homework first, especially for the seller, the inexperienced party in these transactions. Buyers buy all the time. Sellers usually sell once or twice in a lifetime. "Why Training Company Acquisitions Fall Apart" is the title of the second in a series of mini-reports available from LSA (www.luntzsuleiman.com). "Start with what you expect…" Suleiman continues, "and compare that to recent industry transactions. Some of this is a matter of record. Some conjecture. But generally ballpark figures are available." If you set unrealistic expectations for the sale of your business, you reduce the likelihood of a deal. You always want to maximize value, but it generally must be in the range of other transactions unless your firm is most unusual in terms of its future and the potential for leverage. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. will be a sponsor for training company exhibitors at the upcoming American Society for Training & Development 2001 Conference & Expo taking place June 1-7, 2001 in Orlando, Florida. For more information or for a complimentary copy of the mini report "Why Training Company Acquisitions Fall Apart" contact Laura Cullinane, Director of Research at lcullinane@aol.com, or call her at 727-367-0700. The full mini report can also be viewed by clicking here. ************************************************************************************************************** Public Companies Buying Profits According to Investment Banker April 2001 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - What would you do if your company wasn't performing all that well? Normally you would consider cutting costs, concentrating on core business, maybe divesting unprofitable lines or divisions. Makes sense. But if you are a public company you look at things very differently, according to Anver Suleiman, CEO, of the investment banking firm, Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. "Public companies look to meet shareholder expectations. Expectations set by the companies themselves, and the analysts following them. One of the techniques well-heeled companies in trouble are using is to use their assets to 'buy profits' via acquisitions" says Suleiman. This, in times when multiples are lower than normal, can make excellent "strategic sense." "Buyers are calling us asking if we have profitable companies for sale" according to Suleiman, and their firm is "busier than ever." Well, that's an interesting twist. And perhaps an interesting opportunity for companies eager to sell. In an earlier announcement from Suleiman's firm, he claimed that 2001 was "not a smart time to sell a training company." When asked about the seeming conflict in the statements Suleiman said, "There's no conflict. It's not the best time to sell. It's a great time to buy... and as buyers move in to 'bottom-fish' they drive the prices/multiples/valuations back up. Timing is everything. Sellers have to look at their own situation and decide what's right for them. Just like buying and/or selling a house. Cycles vary. Fundamentals are constant (almost)." ************************************************************************************************************** Investment
Banker Advises Training Companies April 2001 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida- Anver Suleiman, CEO of investment banking firm Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA) has just completed a mini-report on "Timing Considerations When Selling a Training Company" in which he advises training company owners not to sell their companies in 2001. An unusual statement coming from someone who only makes money when he sells or buys a training company! Suleiman examines over a dozen important timing factors in this report, including the economy, M&A activity in the field, profitability, etc. According to Suleiman "Most training company owners would be better off waiting a year or so. Multiples will be better and owners should be devoting their time, energy and monies doing what they do best, i.e., growing their business profitably." Suleiman goes on to provide a list of recession pointers to help companies during troubled times. In a recent interview, Suleiman explained, "My credibility and our firm's credibility is at stake every time we make a recommendation. The last thing we want to do is give someone bad advice. It's simple. Any time I am asked for my opinion, I look at what I would do if I owned the company. Unless there were extenuating factors, or I feel my business is about to go down the drain, I would not sell. And if the business is in bad shape, most buyers will discover it during due diligence." Suleiman feels this approach will not make any money for him this year, but let's face it, most investment banking firms have had at least five spectacular years. They can afford to wait another year or so, when the "urge to merge" picks up again. Training companies are doing well, except for those who over, or mis-invested in e-learning and they are smart to heed Suleiman's advice -- concentrate on maintaining profitability and selling training for what it can do for every organization, i.e., improve their bottom-line. After all, that's what training is all about. Suleiman is no stranger to the training business. He started his career in the 60's and 70's training executives and engineers in the plastics industry. He went on to teach training, seminar and tradeshow companies how to develop and market training and events. And he has successfully sold a half-dozen of his own companies to the likes of Cowles, Inc. Magazine, and the Institute for International Research (IIR). For a copy of the "Timing Considerations When Selling a Training Company" mini report, contact Laura Cullinane, Director of Research at lcullinane@aol.com, or call her at 727-367-0700. You can also view copies on the web by clicking here. ************************************************************************************************************** Investment Banker Hosts ASTD Hospitality Lounges April 2001 -- ST. PETE BEACH, FLORIDA - Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, investment banking firm to the training industry, is a contributing sponsor for ASTD 2001 Conference & Expo and will be hosting the conference's exhibitor lounge areas. Conference exhibitors are invited to take advantage of the lounge areas to meet with colleagues and clients, get their bearings or just "take a breather". A representative from Luntz, Suleiman & Associates will be on hand throughout the conference to provide information on LSA's services. Literature on the firm, including recent articles and transactions, will also be available. CEO Anver Suleiman, Director of Research Laura Cullinane, and Director of Communications Kathy Lindsey will be in the Exhibit Hall from June 3rd through the Hall's closing on June 6th. LSA also will be formally exhibiting on the floor at Booth #2521. The ASTD event is the world's premier showcase for the latest information from and about the training industry. Nine conference tracks, including Career Development, E-Learning, Global Issues, Human Performance Improvement, Managing the Training/Learning Function, Measuring & Evaluating Training & Performance, Organizational Development, Training Basics, and Workplace Issues are in place to maximize the learning experience for attendees. See the latest training products at the industry's largest exposition hall, featuring The Discovery Playground in the Technology Pavilion and the Experiential Learning Pavilion, where interactive exhibits and scheduled demonstrations will help you learn about your profession's newest tools. Visit ASTD online at www.astd.org for more information on ASTD 2001, and LSA at www.luntzsuleiman.com for more information on mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, capital formations, divestitures and venture capital deals. For information on specific buyer/seller situations in the training industry and related fields, contact Laura Cullinane at 727-367-0700 phone, 727-360-7898 fax or via e-mail at lcullinane@aol.com. ************************************************************************************************************** Training House Acquired By HRD Press December 1999 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Training House, Inc. (Princeton, NJ), a niche provider of training products and services for nearly 30 years, has been acquired by Human Resource Development Press, Inc. (Amherst, MA). Terms were not disclosed. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates represented Training House, and Training House owner Dr. Scott B Parry, in the company's efforts to be acquired, and assisted in negotiations with HRD Press. "I feel that we have achieved a near-perfect match here," said Dennis L. Tarr, former LSA Senior Associate who handled the deal. "Training House and its remarkable product and content library are such a great fit with HRD. I really felt that HRD, while having an impressive lineup of offerings for organizational development, really lacked the type of targeted assessment programs that Training House, and Scott Parry, is known for." Training House's specialty is in producing and marketing training assessment tools for use by executive professionals and support staff. Among the more prominent of Training House's offerings are the Managerial Assessment of Proficiency (MAP) and Managing to Excel programs. Each is a workshop program designed to create evaluative profiles and offer guidance on how to maximize strengths while overcoming shortcomings. In all, the company has developed over sixty unique instruments and exercises pertaining to general business organization development. The company's clients include Ford Motor Company, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, NYNEX, Ingersoll-Rand, Rubbermaid, Well Fargo and DuPont. Training House is headed by Dr. Scott B. Parry, who founded the company in 1971. HRD Press is a publishing company dedicated to organizational training and education. HRD produces print, video, and electronic resources for use by consultants, corporate trainers, and educators. The company licenses its curriculum for greater flexibility and cost savings. HRD also produces a number of workshops and seminars designed for training professionals. The company's overarching goal is to develop time and cost saving resources and services that help organizations create and maintain a highly competent, high-performance workforce. ************************************************************************************************************** Generation21 Acquired By Advantage Learning Systems June 1999 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Advantage Learning Systems, Inc., a leading provider of learning information systems to the K-12 school market, announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Generation21 Learning Systems LLC, a Denver-based developer of breakthrough software for creating, delivering, assessing, and managing Web-based training. Generation21 is the first company to successfully incorporate true "learning object technology" into an integrated system that administers all aspects of individualized training, skills development, and competency assurance throughout any type of organization. "Teacher training is a big part of what we do," said Michael Baum, CEO of Advantage Learning. "Generation21's web-based distance-learning software will help us reach more teachers faster, and offer more training services to schools and school districts. In addition, this acquisition will help us begin to penetrate the huge adult education and corporate training markets. We have studied these markets internally for some time and feel that they are a logical extension of our business." The Generation21 system utilizes the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) approach. Each learning object consists of a specific learning objective, instructional content, and assessment. Units and courses are then assembled from learning objects and can be published in any form - Internet, intranet, CD-ROM, print, or materials supporting instructor-led training. A major advantage to this approach is that any changes subsequently made to any learning object will automatically be made in any course where the object appears. Organizations thus ensure that their entire staff is trained appropriately and with proper accountability, and that employees' knowledge stays current even in environments of rapid change. Also, the embedded assessments allow the Generation21 system to continually adjust on-line training to the knowledge and comprehension of each individual user. The system employs open architecture for compatibility with all training development systems and human resources databases. "We are very pleased to be joining the Advantage Learning team," said Dale Zwart, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Generation21. "Our Web-based distance learning platform is a low-cost, flexible way for school districts to deliver teacher training in all content areas. Added to Generation21's growing presence in the corporate training market, we believe this represents a very large opportunity." Generation21 was founded in 1997 by Zwart and Harold Resnick. Zwart developed the software based on over ten years' experience in training support and instructional design in the demanding environment of the aerospace industry. The company was in startup mode during 1997. Since the introduction of the full-featured product in 1998, the system has been adopted by more than a dozen major organizations including Lockheed-Martin, Xilinx, Conseco, and Novell. Generation21 will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advantage Learning, with existing management and staff remaining in place. Advantage Learning Systems provides K-12 schools with computerized learning information systems: software and related training designed to improve academic performance by increasing the quality, quantity, and timeliness of information in the classroom. Advantage Learning Systems products include Accelerated Reader, the most widely-used reading software in schools; STAR Reading, the world's first computer-adaptive norm-referenced reading test for classroom use; STAR Math and Accelerated Math, two new math software products similar in function to the company's reading software; and Perfect Copy writing skills software. The company also has trained more than 140,000 educators through its Reading Renaissance and Math Renaissance professional development programs, and provides test generation software for textbook publishers. The company has subsidiaries in Canada, India, Australia, and the United Kingdom. ************************************************************************************************************** M&A Panel at SISO to be Moderated by Anver Suleiman April 1999 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Reflecting the level of M&A activity in the event industry, The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) will be sponsoring a special panel, How the Financial Community Perceives the Exposition Industry, to kick off its annual CEO Forum. The Forum will take place at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA (in the greater San Diego area) and will run from August 29-31, 1999. A full program schedule can be found at www.siso.org/ceoforum.html. Anver Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, will moderate the panel. Anver is a 30-year veteran of the conference, seminar and exposition industries, working as a show producer, organizer and consultant. With LSA, he has directed both buyers and sellers in these same industries to strategic acquisitions and divestitures. Joining Anver on the panel will be Robert Crosland III of AdMedia, Roland DeSilva of DeSilva & Phillips, Richard Mead of The Jordan, Edmiston Group, and Joel Novak of Veronis Suhler & Associates. Each panelist is an expert in the exhibition and communications marketplaces. The panel will examine the impact that non-performing transactions have on future consolidations, and address specific key issues affecting the typical SISO member organization. An e-mail survey of SISO members was used to determine topics and levels of interest. The Society of Independent Show Organizers is a worldwide organization dedicated to meeting the needs of show producers. SISO provides the opportunity and forum for owners and senior officers who produce shows, conferences, and expositions to develop their businesses by expanding personal and professional growth through industry support, educational programs, research studies, communications, and individual networking. For more information, visit SISO online at www.siso.org. ************************************************************************************************************** Practising
Law Institute Acquires Longacre & White Patent Education November 1998 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Practising Law Institute (New York) has completed the asset purchase of Longacre & White Patent Education, Inc. (Arlington, VA), producer of a leading patent bar review course. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates represented PLI in the transaction and assisted in negotiations for the acquisition. "We accepted this offer for two reasons," said Jim Longacre, a principal and founder of Longacre & White. "First, PLI's vast experience and resources will help us improve both the substance and delivery of our course. Second, we can reach more lawyers, patent agents, and law students working for PLI for both this course and others we are developing." As part of the acquisition agreement, Jim Longacre and John White, the creators and principal lecturers of the course, will present this five-day course for PLI in at least six locations in March and again in September of 1999. They will also develop other patent education courses for PLI. The basic course given by Longacre & White will remain the same, yet every 1999 live-location student will now receive a full set of videos, studio-recorded this Fall, free of charge. Victor Rubino, Executive Director of PLI, said, "This combines PLI's traditional strengths in the patent bar review area, with large law firms and corporate law departments (especially in the Northeast), and Longacre & White's courses, which have made a major mark in law schools and, geographically, in the Midwest, Southwest and on the West Coast." Practicing Law Institute (PLI), founded in 1933, is a non-profit continuing legal education organization dedicated to providing the legal community with the most up-to-date information available. It does this through a variety of services, which include: more than 200 seminars annually in locations across the U.S., specialized in-house training seminars, online programs, interactive multimedia, audio and video cassettes, course handbooks and a reference book division which publishes annually supplemented titles. To contact PLI or to register, please call 800-260-4754 or visit PLI online at www.pli.edu. ************************************************************************************************************** Imark
Acquires Interactive Group October 1998 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Imark Communications, Inc., has successfully acquired Interactive Group Ltd. in a continuing effort to expand operations domestically and in European markets. The transaction was initiated and aided by Luntz, Suleiman & Associates on behalf of Imark. Interactive, with offices outside of London in the UK, and Palo Alto, CA, becomes the latest in a series of acquisitions made by Imark since the company was founded early last year. One of the Imark's first acquisitions was the ATM Year Conferences events (since renamed Broadband Year) from Technology Transfer Institute (TTI). LSA facilitated that transaction and conducted negotiations on behalf of TTI. Although Interactive has a broad range of integrated marketing communications activities (including exhibitions, conferences, publishing and research), they are best known for their global series of SoftWorld events. SoftWorld is a series of international business-to-business applications software events in the areas of Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Manufacturing/Supply Chain, and Sales & Marketing. Over the next 12 months, Softworld events will take place in the UK, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, the United States and Canada. "Interactive's SoftWorld formula is unique within the trade event industry," said David Korse, President and CEO of Imark Communications. "Interactive enjoys an exemplary reputation within their industry sectors and we are proud to be able to add the events and their talented personnel to our organization." In addition to continuing the existing focus on the growth of the current Softworld portfolio of events, Imark has aggressive plans to expand the number of industry sectors served by Softworld, and to continue the geographic expansion of the events. "There is a strong synergy between Imark's and Interactive's philosophies," said Hugh Keeble, who, with Mark Steel, founded Interactive in 1991. "We believe Imark will continue our tradition of excellence and add immeasurably to the success of Interactive's business. We're looking forward to working with Imark to ensure a smooth and effective integration of the two companies." Imark Communications is a global event producer that specializes in producing high-quality events which feature strong conference programs. Imark is headquartered in Miami, with offices in Massachusetts, New Jersey, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. ************************************************************************************************************** Prosoft
I-Net Acquires Net Guru Technologies January 1998 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - Prosoft I-Net Solutions, Inc. (Santa Ana, CA), an Internet/intranet technology training company, has acquired Net Guru Technologies, Inc. (Oak Brook, IL), a privately held Internet technology training and certification provider. Senior Associate John A. Suleiman of Luntz, Suleiman & Associates represented Net Guru Technologies in its efforts to find a buyer and in negotiations for the transaction. "Acquiring a market leader like Net Guru Technologies is an accretive transaction that will greatly multiply the success Net Guru already experiences, while providing our customers even more choice than they have today," said Jerry M. Baird, Prosoft President and Chief Operating Officer. "Net Guru's 32-course curriculum and its certification program complements our more than 45 course offerings and will enable us to deliver the most complete Internet offerings in the training industry." Net Guru, founded in 1992, is the market leader in Internet skills certification. The company's Webmaster Certification Guide is published by McGraw-Hill, and its certification is the only one administered by testing leader Sylvan Learning Systems. Additionally, its Web Certification Program is endorsed by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) and the National Association of Webmasters (NAW). This Certification Program is also available in Europe through the Internet Certification Institute International (ICII). Webmaster certification has become a hot property as the Internet has grown exponentially in the 1990s. The establishment of an accredited program for Webmaster standards and practices has been pursued by Microsoft, Novell, IBM, U.S. Web and Wave Technologies, among others. With the addition of Net Guru's programs, Prosoft automatically becomes a leading source for certification and a pioneer in the ongoing structural development of the Internet. Net Guru President and founder Uday O. Pabrai said Net Guru is excited about the Prosoft opportunity. "This is definitely a case where one plus one equals more than two," Pabrai said. "Through this transaction, we can better leverage the strengths of our two companies to create an even stronger single market leader." ************************************************************************************************************** Imark Communications Acquires ATM Year Conferences July 1997 -- St. Pete Beach, Florida - South Florida-based Imark Communications has completed the purchase of ATM Year Conferences from Technology Transfer Institute (TTI) and McQuillan Consulting. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA) negotiated the transaction on behalf of TTI and McQuillan. ATM Year Conferences consist of two annual events: ATM Year, held in San Jose, CA and ATM Year Europe, held in London, England. The shows are the world's largest dealing with the subject of ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), an optimally-designed data delivery system based on cell technology. ATM has led to revolutionary innovations in computer and telecommunications operations. The California show is in its sixth year of existence, and has already sold 100% of the available 1997 floor space for 1998. This year's conference attracted 3,200 visitors (2,000 paid delegates) from over 50 countries. ATM Year Europe draws participation from all over Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The acquisition of ATM Year Conferences accomplishes a major goal for Imark. "The events are strong in their niche and they lead right into Imark's strategy of providing integrated marketing communications solutions to its clients," said President David Korse. Imark Vice President/General Manager Therese Merrell will direct the events from the company's new Boston-area office. Tony Shaw, President of TTI, and Dr. John McQuillan of McQuillan Consulting will continue to be involved with the Conferences as consultants. ************************************************************************************************************** Advanstar Acquires Telemarketing Conference December 1996 -- St. Petersburg, Florida - Advanstar Communications, a Boston-based telecommunications firm, has announced its acquisition of the Incoming Call Center Management Conference (ICCM) for an undisclosed amount. The transaction was negotiated by Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA). ICCM is a Toronto-based group which organizes and sponsors conferences, seminars and expositions for telemarketing professionals in North America and overseas. The conference specializes in the use of tutorials led by experts in the field to inform participants of new techniques and trends. The company was founded and run by Ian Angus and Gordon MacPherson, Jr., noted innovators in telemarketing management. ICCM will continue to be based in Toronto. ************************************************************************************************************** Global
Conference Group Takes Over July, 1997 -- St.Pete Beach, Florida - ProjectWorldInc., a major organizer and presenter of conferences and expositions based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, has retained IBM Global Conference Group to provide management for its conference operations. Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA) negotiated the transaction on behalf of ProjectWorld.
************************************************************************************************************** Practising Law Institute Acquires Multimedia Software Distributor November, 1996 -- St.Petersburg, Florida – Practising Law Institute, a leader in the legal information and education field, has announced its acquisition of CLE Group for an undisclosed amount. The transaction was negotiated by Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA), investment bankers to the information, publishing, education and training industries. CLE Group is the publisher of The Interactive Courtroom, an innovative CD-ROM program which provides a highly accessible method of litigation training for practicing attorneys and law students. It utilizes any multimedia Macintosh or IBM computer to simulate actual courtroom situations from the attorney’s, client’s, and/or judge’s point of view. ************************************************************************************************************** Major Seminar Company Acquired by Summit Partners September, 1996 -- St.Petersburg, Florida – Washington, DC-based Educational Services Institute (ESI) has been acquired in part by Summit Partners, a Boston-based venture capital firm, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction was negotiated by Luntz, Suleiman & Associates, Inc. (LSA), investment bankers serving the information, publishing, education, and training industries. ESI is a fast-growing seminar and training company specializing in project management and procurement. Ed Phelps, CEO will continue as CEO and the company intends to grow aggressively via international expansion and acquisitions. The company employs over 100 full-time personnel and another 100 contract trainers. According to Anver Suleiman, LSA’s CEO, “The investment community has recognized the growth potential for education- and training-based firms and is now investing heavily in this vital sector of our economy.” ************************************************************************************************************ |
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