Penton Media Announces Divisional Internet Strategy Promotions

Business Wire, Sept 6, 2000

Business Editors

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

Penton Media, Inc. (NYSE:PME) today announced several Internet-related appointments for the company's division that serves the Manufacturing; Design/Engineering; Management; Supply Chain/Aviation; Government/Compliance; Mechanical Systems/Construction; and Leisure/Hospitality sectors.

Making the announcement for Penton, Executive Vice President and Group President James Zaremba said, "As we continue to develop Internet products for the markets we serve, we are positioning some of Penton's best talent and industry experts to focus on the growth and integration of our divisional Internet initiatives."

In addition to his current responsibilities as group director, Mechanical Systems/Construction and Government/Compliance groups, Jeff Forker has been named vice president and director of Internet strategy for the division. With the benefit of nearly 30 years with Penton, Forker will provide strategic counsel and leadership to the division's product managers and work with them to develop Internet products, both in the U.S. and internationally. He will assume overall responsibility for B2Bshowplace.com, Penton's online trade show network that launched in July 2000.

Drew DeSarle, currently vice president/general manager, B2Bshowplace.com, has been named vice president, B2Bshowplace.com/Internet Products. He will continue as general manager of B2Bshowplace.com, with a primary focus on expanding B2Bshowplace.com and will also work directly with divisional product managers to integrate new Internet products as they are developed. DeSarle and the B2Bshowplace.com team have completed a highly successful launch of seven B2Bshowplace sites with more to be launched in the future.

John Ehlen, general manager of HVACRshowplace.com, Penton's first online trade show, will assume additional duties as director of sales for the B2Bshowplace.com network. Ehlen brings executive management skills and more than 30 years of high-tech sales and marketing expertise to the division's efforts to drive B2Bshowplace.com sales.

Larry Boulden, general manager of the Design Engineering and Enterprise Systems halls of B2Bshowplace.com, has been named director of Internet content for the division. His mission will be to identify and form agreements with outside content providers, while producing a variety of online seminars, presentations, trainings, workshops, and special events.

Alex Carney, formerly group sales manager for both Contracting Business and Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning Engineering magazines will assume Jeff Forker's former responsibilities as publisher of Contracting Business, the leading magazine serving heating, ventilating and air conditioning contractors. Carney is a 12-year veteran of Contracting Business magazine and has been a key force in the magazine's continuous growth over the past decade.

Penton Media, Inc. (NYSE:PME) is a leading diversified business media company that produces market-focused magazines, Web sites, trade shows, and conferences. Penton serves the manufacturing; design/engineering; management; supply chain/aviation; government/compliance; mechanical systems/construction; leisure/hospitality; Internet/broadband; natural products/food/retail; and electronics markets For more information, visit www.penton.com