Richard Walters
After 17 years in the nightclub business, several years in operations management of a major corporation, and several more years as an owner of a small business, no one could be more qualified to bring Shows USA to life than Richard Walters!
He co-owned several nightclubs with his father in Vancouver, including the famed "Cave" and "Isy's Supper Club", as well as several others, and also managed several bands and vocal groups. Moving to beautiful La Jolla in 1967 to be the Executive Vice President of Educational Marketing Research, Richard honed his management skills and marketing expertise.
Following that Richard was the CEO of Slender Life Foods and learned the ins and outs of owning his own business, and developed expertise in advertising.
In 1975, Richard began "The Great American Free Market" which was the first new product "swap meet" in the United States, and what eventually grew into the Del Mar Home Shows. 1976 was the year the first Del Mar Home Decorating and Remodeling Show premiered, and that event was such as success, it was the basis for the Shows USA of today.
Today, Richard is the Chief Executive Officer of Richard Walters & Associates, the corporate parent of Shows USA, and he oversees all aspects of all shows. His creativity, hard work ethic and belief that the Exhibitors are the most important part of our shows, is the cornerstone of our success, and the prospectus of all future endeavors of the company.
Richard recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and his mother celebrated her 100th birthday! In his free time, he enjoys listening to and cataloging his huge jazz music collection, as he became a jazz lover in his nightclub days when he met the greats of the business, including Sarah Vaughn, Buddy Rich, Count Basie and countless more. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Paulina, 2 daughter, Tamara & Tracey, 2 step-daughers Ruta and Renata, and his 3 grandchildren - Cassidy, Holly and Andrew, and 4 step-grandchildren!
Come by and meet him at the shows, as he still attends each and every one of them, and loves every minute, as he is a born "Show Man"
