Happy July! With August quickly approaching, the SAAC Expo is just around the corner. The SAAC Board and Executive Director Bob Levitt have been working diligently to bring this event together, and we are excited to see the finish line in sight.
The week will begin on Monday with a golf tournament at Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach. For those who do not golf, the 19th Hole Dinner and Silent Auction will offer a wonderful opportunity to connect while helping raise funds for college scholarships for dependents of professionals in our industry.
On Wednesday, the show will open with a keynote address from the leaders of ASI and PPAI at 9:00 AM. Last year’s keynote was standing room only, so we encourage you to arrive early to secure a seat. At 10:00 AM, the show floor will open for distributors only. This will be an excellent opportunity to spend time discussing projects with your preferred suppliers, as well as meeting new partners. We are excited to welcome a strong and diverse group of suppliers who will be exhibiting and engaging with attendees throughout the show. Thursday’s show day will allow distributors to bring their end users, giving them the opportunity to interact directly with suppliers. The show will be open on Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Our Professional Development Committee has developed a strong lineup of educational opportunities for attendees on both Wednesday and Thursday. We are also pleased to introduce live demonstrations in our new Tech Pavilion. These brief, 20-minute demonstrations will highlight some of the latest technology designed to support and improve our daily work.
For our seasoned promotional products professionals, it would not be a Long Beach event without a gathering on the back lawn. We are excited to introduce The Long Beach Lineup, a festival-style event featuring food, music, games, cocktails, and more. This event will offer something for everyone and provide a relaxed setting to continue conversations with longtime colleagues while building new friendships.
I am grateful for the significant time, effort, and collaboration that have gone into planning these events. We look forward to welcoming you to the SAAC Expo in Long Beach this August.
Jacque Martin
SAAC President