About

Rick Friedman, President
During the 90's Mr Friedman pioneered advanced software technology through his many magazines, journals, books, expos and conferences. Founding SIGS Publications in his basement with just a thousand dollars, it grew to become one of the fastest growing businesses in the nation in the mid-late 90's, with offices in the UK, Germany, France and Australia. SIGS became a thought-leader company for some 200,000 programmers in over 100 countries. After successfully selling SIGS in 1999, Mr. Friedman focused his attentionon a new emerging technology, digital video and visual effects. Soon his NY and LA based Digital Video Shows became "the" industry event and he was able to acquire in 2003, Hollywood's venerable filmmaker trade show, ShowBiz Expo (formerly owned by Variety ) Over 20,000 filmmakers and 250 sponsors - including Avid, Apple, Panavision, Panasonic, Sony, Canon and Kodak - supported his shows in NY, LA, and Chicago.

Mr Friedman, is a colorful entrepreneur whose earlier diverse range of ventures includes creating the 80's syndicated TV show " Dance Fever " (original MC), producing and directing 80+ theatrical shows, musical concerts, and cabaret shows.. and also owning the USA Women's Volleyball Team in 1985.

Over the past 5 years, Rick Friedman has become a serious collector of 20th Century American art, with an emphasis in Abstract Expressionism. Having acquired nearly 100 paintings during this period, he frequently loans his artworks to exhibitions and museum shows and has been featured in American Art Collector Magazine. With his current foray into the art fair business , Rick matches his passion for art, his many contacts in the art world, his experience as one of the Hamptons most successful event producers, with his ability to create successful dynamic marketplaces for buyers and sellers.

ArtHamptons, in its second successful year, generated a stunning $10 million in 2009 art sales from 68 galleries and received strong reviews in the press which referred to it as "a mini-Art Basel in the Hamptons" It is already considered one of the most successful "boutique" fine art fairs in America. His Hamptons Expo Group also currently produces the Hamptons Home & Garden Show in Southampton which features 200 interior design and home improvement sponsors and is attended by 5,000 Hamptonites. Annually, it is one of the best attended events on the East End.

His entrepreneurial achievements led CNN to create a segment on his life.

Max Fishko, Director
Max Fishko is a third generation art world professional with 10 years of hands-on experience in successfully marketing the visual arts. Max has an intimate knowledge and a thoughtful sensitivity to the needs of the art gallery business and how it can benefit from the art fair forum.. Mr Fishko qualifies as a longstanding "art insider"-- having worked for several commercial galleries as well as respected art fair organizations. With ArtHamptons, Max is committed to establishing the highest artistic and curatorial standards to the displays in the fair, while making this event both memorable and visitor-friendly for art enthusiasts as well as lucrative for participating galleries.

Cara Storm, Marketing Manager
Cara Storm has over 15 years experience successfully marketing the arts. With experience in both non-profit and corporate realms, she is the Founder of Marketing by Storm, a consulting firm focused on helping arts organizations increase their audiences and related revenues, and is the former Director of Marketing for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Clients range from Bay Area museums, symphony houses, film and dance festivals to theater productions and cultural destinations, and include the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and World Arts West.

Wendy Norris, PR Director
Wendy Norris has worked in the arts and culture field for over 15 years, including 5 years at the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums, where she led the public relations efforts for the grand opening of the de Young in 2005. Now consulting primarily within the visual arts, architecture, and design sectors, her clients are regularly featured in top-tier publications nationally and internationally. Recent projects include the grand openings for the Contemporary Jewish Museum, SF Camerawork and Southern Exposure, the upcoming 3rd ZER01: Art and Technology Biennial, as well as select West Coast galleries and artists.

Jeffrey Wainhause, Vice President
Jeff has a rich and diverse 17 years experience in the trade show business, beginning his career with Rick Friedman’s SIGS Publications. Highly result-oriented with a strong customer bent, he has successfully created and managed over 40 major trade shows, conferences and expos in a wide range of industries, from software, and healthcare to fine art fairs and home shows. He has overseen the operations and internet marketing of every event created by Hamptons Expo Group since inception, 6 years ago. Currently, Jeff will assist in running sales, operations, internet marketing and corporate technology. Few in the trade show business are able to multi-task at his level, be as resourceful and resolution driven, and think creatively and strategically across disciplines as Mr. Wainhause.

Marilyn Lew, Operations Manager
Marilyn oversees all on-site and pre-event operations for events in efforts to make exhibiting a fun, lucrative and user-friendly experience. She is a day-to- day liaison in helping exhibitors achieve their show goals and a facilitator in booth placement, design and layout while problem solving by looking for the most cost-efficient solution. - She also keeps her hands around the company’s accounts payables and receivables and is co-coordinator with our show vendors. Her 3 years experience in staging fairs and expos at Hamptons Expo Group has focused her to quickly find win-win solutions. . She has over 2 decades experience in the purchasing and operations of a mid-size, highly successful, family-owned manufacturing operation. Always well-grounded, respectful, enthusiastic yet realistic, Marilyn is a popular and active member of the local Hamptons community.