Hello, SAAC! As your new president, I want to update the association on what has been happening and highlight our upcoming events.

The installation dinner was a sold-out event! We finally had an opportunity to recognize and thank the past presidents who guided us through the pandemic. Thank you to Tara Villanueva, Stephen Ropfogel, and Bob Levitt. We also had the privilege of bestowing the SAAC Honorary Life Membership on Robert Collins, who has served our association and its members for more than 35 years. What a touching recognition and acceptance speech by him!

We ended the evening with the installation of the 2023 officers and directors. I want to welcome and thank them for their service thus far:

Officers 2023

President – Jeff Stevens, WesCo Marketing

Vice President – Amy Williams, CAS, AB Unlimited Worldwide

Treasurer – Heather Valle-Laird, Logomark

Secretary – Ryan Paules, Radar Promotions

Immediate Past President – Bob Levitt, MAS

Directors 2023

Danny Henderson, C&C Marketing, Powered by Proforma

Kimberly Horton, FPS Apparel

Victoria Schmitz, CAS, Goldstar

Heidi Selleck, The Vernon Company

Mary Skeen, AIM Smarter LLC

Steve Parker, MAS, The Magnet Group

The SAAC Expo committee has been working hard on the show this year. Our new theme is the “SAAC Experience,” and the event will take place August 16-17, with setup on August 15. Hosted end buyers are welcome on the show floor on Thursday, and PPAI’s Dale Denham is our keynote speaker, sharing tips for maximizing merch in promotional budgets.

We have listened to your feedback and are creating more networking opportunities, too, including a happy hour after the supplier set up on Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. Distributors are welcome. It will take place on the Center Terrace overlooking San Diego Bay. We also have a welcome happy hour networking event on Wednesday after the show at 4 p.m. Tickets are required for the “SAAC Experience: Game On!” event, which includes dinner, a cornhole tournament, outdoor games, and a DJ for music and dancing.

Other committees are also hard at work. The marketing committee is updating our newsletter to include more relevant content, upcoming events, and focus on association members, and the events committee has planned a bowling and networking event in May in San Diego, more bowling in OC and LA in June, and fun events in other regions to come. Please support their efforts and take advantage of some in-person time together. We look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming events!

Jeff Stevens
SAAC President