SISO to Seek New Head

DALLAS, Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SISO, the premier organization for the For Profit show organizer, announced that after seven years of service, Lew Shomer will step down as SISO's Executive Director when the current management agreement with Shomer's management company, Shomex Productions, expires September 30, 2015.

Lew Shomer told the SISO Board of Directors at the last meeting in Atlantic City that "it's time to change leadership and continue the growth of SISO." SISO Chairman Rick McConnell said, "With the help of Lew, SISO is in the best possible shape and is a great organization, with lots of upside still to come." He went on to say that the Board "wished that Lew would stay on, but having already convinced him to extend his contract twice before, they understand that he wants to concentrate his efforts on his own show, Abilities Expo." McConnell went on to add, "Under Lew's leadership, relationships with many other key associations have flourished, including: UFI, USTA, AMPROFEC, AFIDA, CCPIT and ABM. In addition, relationships with both SACEOS (Singapore) and IEIA (the Indian trade show organization) are in the works."

"Lew has worked diligently to increase value to our members. He has been innovative and supportive with the education steering committees as well as making the CEO Summit far more interactive and compelling. The Executive Leadership Conference now connects SISO members with new technologies and emerging professionals to network and call this show their new home--thanks to Lew," said McConnell. "In addition, SISO is giving back more and more with the recently signed financial grant for industry research with CEIR. I can go on and on, but most importantly, the SISO organization is well-run and Lew provides invaluable insight and effective execution. And he is my friend."

Shomer stated, "This has just been the most wonderful experience I could have imagined when I took over the position at SISO. With the help of my wife, Clare, Anna Osnower and Gillian Campbell, I believe we will leave SISO in an excellent position with a great and robust membership, loyal and wonderful sponsors and money in the bank."

"More importantly," Shomer said, "So many of these people I have had the opportunity to interact with from all over the world have become my friends."

Shomex and Shomer took over the reigns of SISO in October 2008 at the beginning of the recession and, even though the first year was tough and the Industry contracted, SISO has been able to grow and significantly increase the number of international members, which now make up about 25% of the overall membership.

McConnell went on to say that with more than a year's advance notice, they are confident that they will be able to find a successor who can carry on the great work that Lew and his team have done bringing SISO to the forefront of the Industry.

McConnell added, "We will be seeking another management company with a strong leader like Lew, who is familiar with SISO and comes from an organizer's background. For anyone who has a company where they can become Executive Director at SISO as well, they may request an RFP from Tony Calanca ([email protected]) before November 21, 2014. We hope that the Executive Committee will be able to review applications by January 17, 2015, and appoint Lew's successor by the end of March so that we may have a full six-month transition and continue to provide the best possible service to our members and the Industry."

About SISO:
SISO is dedicated to meeting the needs of the for-profit show organizer through networking, the exchange of ideas and experiences, and the ability to learn from each other in a non-competitive and candid environment. Its members include companies, corporations and other for-profit entities that own, produce or provide full service management of "face-to-face" trade shows, consumer shows, expositions, conferences and/or similar events as a substantial part of their business. SISO is an international organization whose 165 members account for more than 3,500 shows and conferences annually. For additional information, visit www.siso.org.

SOURCE SISO, the Society of Independent Show Organizers