Sanford L. Smith + Associates Positioned for Growth Following Legacy of Founder
Sanford L. Smith + Associates (SLSA) has announced that the company, left by Smith to wife and partner Jill Bokor, Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Stark, and Managing Director and Executive Director of Salon Art + Design Nicky Dessources, is in a stable position with projections for growth and plans to uphold and honor the legacy of Smith.
Colin Lynch Smith, the eldest of Smith’s four sons said: “My brothers and I are thrilled that the company that our father began will continue under such strong and creative leadership. We can’t wait to see what’s next.”
SLSA is known for managing and producing internationally renowned fairs which include the ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
“Sandy was the master showman, and nothing delighted him more finding a niche in the art and design world and filling it with an unexpected new event,” said Jill Bokor his wife and longtime partner in the business. “Many attendees of the fairs will remember Sandy sitting at the front of the fair watching the people come in. It thrilled him.”
After retiring from the business one year ago, Smith gave a great deal of thought to the succession of his company, which will continue to be named for its founder. Smith remained Chairman Emeritus and left the business in the hands of Stark (CEO), Dessources (Managing Director), and Bokor (General Counselor). Together they will continue to maintain and grow their core fairs and lead the company in a trajectory of growth. Already under their leadership, SLSA took on a new fair in 2024, managing the Ephemera Society of America’s (ESA) Ephemera Fair in Greenwich, Connecticut this past March.
“I have full confidence that the business will continue to blossom,” said Jennifer Stark. “Sandy built an incredible company and surrounded himself with people he trusted wholeheartedly. The entire team is dedicated to honoring his legacy while taking the company into new and exciting territory in the coming years.”
Bokor and Smith maintained a special, close personal and professional relationship, working together to grow the company and raise their son, Luc-Bokor Smith. Prior to her role as General Counselor, Bokor served as Executive Director of Salon Art + Design for more than a decade. Dessources joined SLSA in 2015 and swiftly advanced to the role of Logistics and Fair Director for Salon Art + Design and the ABAA NYIABF. Now, Dessources succeeds Bokor as Executive Director of Salon Art + Design, where she will oversee all aspects of the fair. Stark, has been a pivotal figure in the company since 2014. She has over 30 years of experience producing high-caliber events and has been instrumental in managing day to day operations of SLSA, The Art Show, and spearheading the marketing and promotion for the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair and Salon Art + Design.
SLSA is currently planning the 65th Annual ABAA NYIABF taking place April 3 – 6, 2025 at Park Avenue Armory and the 45th Annual Ephemera Fair, March 14 – 16, 2025 in Greenwich, Connecticut.
