Sam is President and founder of ism2 (integrated show management and marketing) which provides executive level consulting to the convention and exhibition industry in strategic planning, marketing and management plus facilitation services for customer advisory groups and board of directors.  Sam also produces the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (www.eceforum.com) and the Large Show Roundtable (www.largeshowroundtable.com). Before launching his company, Sam was Vice President of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), producing megashows such as PRINT and GRAPH EXPO, as well as regional shows. 

Before GASC, he was Group Vice President of the Consumer Electronics Shows, managing CES winter and summer, and creating new shows such as High End Audio and CES Mexico.  His first show management job was with the National Computer Conference from 1980 to 1984.  And, he started his career with United Exposition Service Company (now GES), producing shows in Chicago, Detroit and New York City. 

Sam is an avid proponent of better education for the convention and exhibition industry, and was presented an IAEM merit award for his contributions.  He is an international speaker, author and teacher, and is often quoted by the media.  Sam has his facilitator certificate from the A.C.Nielsen Burke Institute and is an adjunct lecturer at George Washington University on marketing and producing exhibitions.   

Sam graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara and lives in Arlington Virginia with his wife Ellen.