May 22, 1929 – January 16, 2018
Trade show industry professional and long-time Exhibit City News columnist Philip H. Kemper Jr. passed away on January 16 at the age of 88.
In 1977, the longtime Chicago resident founded Kemper Associates, recruiting experts for business meetings and events, tradeshow, exhibit and A-V production staffing. The company specialized in visual communications industry professionals. Its clients included leading Fortune 100 corporations and production facilities of all sizes nationwide.
Prior to founding his own company, he had a significant career with several of the country’s largest advertising agencies, helping to direct the agencies’ marketing efforts on leading food and packaged goods accounts including the American Dairy Association, Coopers (Jockey) Underwear, Brach Candy and many more. He also helped clients develop successful new consumer food products. While working in the advertising agencies he developed an interest and expertise in the production of business meetings, events and tradeshows which included the creative use of audio-visual and special effects to market his clients’ products. This interest in the meeting side led to him branching out to create his recruitment company.
The lecturer and author wrote regularly about job search and interviewing techniques for Exhibit City News. “He was a great guy,” says friend and colleague Daniel Greene of Nolan Advisory Services. “He always made sure to keep up with me. He was great at connecting people and connecting with people.”
He was survived by his wife Patricia and predeceased by his parents, Philip and Jane Kemper, and siblings, Jane King and Mary Therese Kemper. His memorial service was held February 7 at Prentice Women’s Hospital, The Mathews Chapel, 250 E. Superior St., Chicago, Ill. For those wishing to leave a message in the guestbook, visit www.legacy.com/guestbooks/chicagotribune/philip-kemper-condolences/188073496?cid=full
This story originally appeared in the May/June issue of Exhibit City News, p. 74. For more pictures and original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/may-jun_ecn2018
