Sam Bhandarkar

About Sam Bhandarkar

I’m a senior meetings & events leader (25+ years) helping associations and mission-driven organizations translate board, volunteer, and stakeholder priorities into high-performing conference strategies and seamless attendee experiences.Across conferences, conventions, exhibitions, and executive convenings, I bring deep strength in end-to-end site selection/RFPs, contract negotiation, housing/room block strategy, supplier partnerships, and cross-functional leadership—paired with the executive-level discipline of risk/crisis planning and multi-event financial forecasting.Known for:• Building conference roadmaps aligned to mission, member value, and growth goals• Strengthening contracting outcomes while reducing exposure (attrition/cancellation/performance)• Creating operational playbooks, escalation paths, and post-conference reporting for continuous improvement• Advising and partnering with volunteer leaders and committees to drive clear decisions and accountable timelinesCore focus areas: conference portfolio leadership • event product development • forecasting/budget ownership • risk & crisis management • RFP/site selection/contracting • housing & registration strategy • supplier management • stakeholder alignmentOpen to: Director/Head/VP-level roles in association meetings, conferences, convenings, and event services leadership (hybrid/remote + travel).Conference portfolio • Association meetings • Volunteer committee leadership • Speaker management • Program operations • Budget forecasting • P&L management • Risk & crisis planning • RFP development • Site selection • Contract negotiation • Attrition/cancellation • Housing/room blocks • Registration strategy • Exhibitions • Sponsorship stakeholder management • Vendor procurement • AV/production partners • Destination management (DMC) • CVB/DMO relations • Cvent • Post-event reporting • KPI dashboards • Service recovery • Cross-functional leadership • Governance support

Experience

1. Senior Director

   Lamontco

   Sep 2023 — Present · Northern Virginia, VA, US

   Our North American network of highly skilled Associates include Executives, Directors and industry leaders from around the globe. Each of our Associates has demonstrated outstanding success with meeting management services. Each of our meeting professionals focus on customer needs and rapid response times while creating measurable impact on their clients\' bottom lines.​A partnership with Lamont Associates will provide your organization the opportunity to develop your meetings procurement potential and to truly understand the impact of your meeting in the marketplace. Our corporate style is collaborative and consultative…it is innovative and creative. This is real leadership. Whether you have a meeting of 10 guestrooms on peak night or Lamont Associates will stand with you and be your Conference Source Network!

Education

• Florida Atlantic University - College of Business

  Certificate, Hospitality and Tourism Management

  2020 — 2020

• American University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, School of International Service - International Studies/Conflict Resolution

  1994 — 1998

Skills

• Leadership
• Crm
• Recruiting
• Convention Services
• Revenue Analysis
• Social Media
• Entertainment
• Social Networking
• Social Media Marketing
• Hospitality
• Time Management
• Hospitality Management
• Banquets
• Public Speaking
• Resorts
• Public Relations
• Hospitality Industry
• Event Management
• Cross-Cultural Teams
• Team Building
• Management
• Strategic Planning
• Menu Development
• Marketing Strategy
• Hotels
• Trade Shows
• Event Planning
• Marketing
• Corporate Events
• Catering
• Meeting Planning
• Sponsorship
• Operations Management
• Tourism
• Food & Beverage
• Customer Service
• New Business Development
• Strategy
• Sales
• Conflict Resolution