Sam Thompson is the founding shareholder and CEO of metroConnections.

Thompson, who founded the company in 1984, leads the company's financial health and strategic growth.  He is the public relations voice of the company promoting our exceptional customer service.  Thompson also directly oversees our Transportation Services division- the foundation of our core offerings.  Thompson currently serves as a Board Member for Meet Minneapolis and Destination Bloomington.  Most recently, Thompson was appointed to former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's tourism council. Thompson is also the past president of the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME), the only global non-profit association dedicated to increasing the professionalism and effectiveness of destination management through education and the promotion of ethical practices.  Contact info: 952.767.3600 or sthompson@metroconnections.com.

As President, Graves is responsible for ensuring that the company is operating efficiently and he directly leads the award-winning Event Services and Production Services divisions. Joining metroConnections in 1988, just four years after the company was established, Graves led the growth in event management and team building and soon became a partner to founder Sam Thompson. Graves is responsible for leading the company expansion in both geographic locations as well as service offerings. metroConnections has been profitable seventeen of the eighteen years Graves has been with the company. Prior to joining metroConnections, Graves spent six years with the Marriott Corporation in Conference Management and Sales. In 2006, Graves was named Meetings and Events Magazine "Hall of Fame - Event Planner of The Year" Contact info:  952.767.1250 or dgraves@metroconnections.com.

Mike Graves, Senior Vice President of metroConnections since 1988, has over 23 years' experience in meeting & event logistics, attendee registration management, incentive travel, hotel & housing services, and transportation management.  Graves oversees metroConnections sales team and shares the leadership of our Conference Services division.  He is leading up our expansion in the Southeast particularly in the convention capital of Orlando, Florida where he resides. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and past member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA), Graves believes the value of our business stems from relentless customer service, a strong hands-on approach and always serving as a transparent extension of our customers. Contact info:  952.767.2901 or mgraves@metroconnections.com.

In 1998, McCulloch joined metroConnections after having been a customer for four years.  McCulloch is Vice President of Marketing and Conference Services.  He is responsible for strategic marketing, channels marketing and along with partner, Mike Graves, leads the ongoing technology offerings in the Conference Services division. McCulloch spent over three years in the early 90s with a meeting planning and marketing company traveling the nation developing branded road tours and seminars for clients that included IBM, Microsoft, Sports Illustrated, Isuzu, MCI, Good Housekeeping and others.

In 1994 McCulloch joined ShowCase Corporation, a high tech software company,  as event marketing manager responsible for conferences, events and trade shows.  He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota - Duluth.  In 2007, McCulloch was awarded Meetings and Events Magazine "Hall of Fame--Conference Planner of The Year."  Contact info:  952.767.2902 or tmcculloch@metroconnections.com.