Brian McNamara (1956-2014)

He coordinated the ISA tradeshows for a quarter century

Published

9 years ago

November 6, 2014

Wade Swormstedt Signs of the Times November 2014 Issue

Brian McNamara, who coordinated the National Electric Sign Assn./Intl. Sign Assn. tradeshows for more than a quarter century, died November 4 in Mason City, IA, following an illness. He was 58.

When Brian attended his first NESA Sign Expo in 1985, in Toronto, the event included 138 booths and approximately 3,000 attendees. When Brian retired in 2011 as ISA’s senior VP of tradeshows, the most recent show in Orlando boasted 476 exhibitors and 17,000 attendees.

“Brian not only built ISA Sign Expo into what it is today, but he also was a key in building the sign industry along with it,” said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “Brian was beloved by all who knew him. His legacy will live long for ISA and the industry, and he will be greatly missed.”
McNamara joined NESA from the American Society of Assn. Executives, where he worked in the membership department. A 1982 graduate of the College of Charleston (SC), McNamara began his professional career as a marketing representative for the Xerox Corp.

“When I was hired by NESA, the tradeshow industry intrigued me, but I had no anticipation of staying for more than two or three years,” Brian said in an ISA article published at his retirement.

Anderson added. “He raised the professionalism and knowledge of our industry tremendously.”

After retiring from ISA, McNamara joined the board of directors for the Signage Foundation, Inc. in 2013.

No public funeral is planned.

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