SAMUEL J. ERKONEN is a partner with Howe & Hutton, Ltd. He earned his B.B.A. in finance from the University of Iowa and is a 1989 graduate of the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. While at Washington University, Sam was elected President of his legal fraternity. He also possesses a Master of Laws degree in Taxation. Sam brings Howe & Hutton, Ltd. extensive nationwide litigation experience at the state and federal levels and presently serves primarily the photography, hospitality, entertainment and trade association industries chiefly in the areas of contract negotiations and litigation. Sam served as volunteer finance chair for a large 501(c)(3) organizations, which provided him with added knowledge of the concerns of problem facing our not-for-profit clients. Sam is past chairman of the Trade and Professional Association Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and is a frequent speaker for MPI and its chapters, the MPI Foundation's Platinum Series programs , PCMA, ASAE, ISES, the United States Chamber of Commerce and other groups in the not-for-profit, meetings, travel and hospitality industries.