Shomex Productions, founded in 1984, was the nation’s largest producer of Diversity Career Fairs, producing more than 1,000 fairs throughout the US from 1984 until 2008. The company ceased producing career fairs in 2008 and became the administrative management organization for The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). Shomex’s experience with strategic and tactical marketing to both a B2B and B2C universe and was able to identify and target specific areas of interest within many industrial sectors.

Prior to Shomex, Lew was Vice President, Marketing and Sales for The Interface Group, producers of COMDEX, COMDEX Europe and The Computer Showcase Expos. The Computer Showcase Expo was a consumer show born out of the need to bring manufacturers and dealers directly to the buying market. Shomer’s experience was enhanced by marketing to consumers in 15 different regional and local markets.

From 2008 -2015 as the Executive Director of SISO, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, Shomer led a membership of more than 185 domestic and international member companies that annually organize more than 3,500 exhibitions annually. Shomer had been responsible forincreasing SISO’s international membership from 5% to 35% representing companies in more than 25 countries.

In 2008 Shomer founded 5NET4 Productions, with David Korse and purchased Abilities Expo, an exhibition and trade show for people with disabilities, caregivers, and professional healthcare workers. Abilities Expo currently produces shows in seven major metropolitan areas. Shomer’s experience with consumer events was invaluable in redirecting marketing strategies from
traditional direct mail to the use of multiple public media outlets and trending social media platforms that resulted in significant increased visitor attendance at each of the shows. Abilities Expo is inclusive of all disabilities including seniors, veterans, and family of people with disabilities. Abilities annually brings together more than 600 exhibiting companies with over 30,000 attendees to buy products and services, information networking and the many day to day aids that enable those with disabilities to be more independent..

Based upon knowledge of the disabilities in the ageing markets, Shomer joined with K.W. Conferences, Delhi, India to co-found UNMUKT, a festival for aging and seniors in India. This festival focused on the needs of seniors in such areas as: Home Medical Care, Technology, Health and Wellness, Travel and Leisure and Financial Management. UNMUKT launched its first festival in Hyderabad in 2018.

Lewis Shomer (Lew) holds a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MBA from The Bernard Baruch Graduate School of Business at CCNY in New York.

Prior to becoming the Executive Director of SISO, Mr. Shomer served on the SISO Board and as Chairman. He has also served on the Board of Directors for The American Friends of the St. Petersburg (Russia) Philharmonic, the NAACP Board of Trustees, Special Contributions Fund, Strategy for Access and The Rollette’s wheelchair dance Foundation

Mr. Shomer was recognized as The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year (2019).
Mr. Shomer was recognized by SISO for his industry contributions with the Bob Krakoff Award in
2022

Lew and his wife, Clare, Live in Los Angeles, have two dogs, and 2 horses