The SAAC Expo was a tremendous success. The engagement from suppliers, distributors and end buyers was outstanding. We had over a hundred end buyers participate on Day 2. PPAI President & CEO Dale Denham was the keynote speaker, and his talk about maximizing merch in promotional budgets was beneficial for all who attended. Thank you to the distributors who took advantage of this opportunity to highlight our industry’s offerings.

The happy hour overlooking San Diego Bay was well attended and another chance to mingle with industry friends. Those who participated in the Game On event enjoyed a great meal, networking and some fun competition. It was a sellout event with 150 competitors. Thank you to the sponsors who contributed to the awesome goodie bags all participants received.

Seeing 40 SAAC members playing cornhole at once was quite a sight! Mixing up the teams each round was a little stressful, but thank you to Heather Laird for keeping the event moving. It was fun to see the competitive nature of my different teammates, as well as the other participants. I am not going to name names, but a few of you might consider anger management programs. 

Congratulations to the 2023 SAAC Cornhole Tournament Winners:

• Memo Kahan, PromoShop
• Shawn Kanak, Towel Specialties
• Jasmine Dunbar, Prestige Concepts
• Greer Bellamy, PromoShop
• Mike, High Caliber Line
• Taylor Coward, PPAI

View More SAAC Expo 2023 Photos

I must say, I am humbled and genuinely appreciative of the individuals who supported me, the Expo and the experience. I also want to personally thank the SAAC Board and PPAI/Christina Sanders for all their efforts to make the Expo such a success. 

The SAAC holiday party will be the first week of December. We are changing the party this year and adding the installation of new officers to give the 2024 Board a running start before the busy month of January. We are looking at venues in Orange County and will release that date and location soon. Make sure to reserve your seat, as the last event was a sellout.

The SAAC Foundation Golf Tournament will be at the Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena on Wednesday, October 18. A great day filled with activities from golf to wine tastings, a silent auction and dinner with friends and family is the perfect way to entertain everyone and support SAAC, the foundation and industry family members seeking higher education. Be sure to extend the invitation to your industry friends.

Not a golfer? No problem. Please join us for the October SAAC Dinner in Pasadena on Wednesday, October 18 – right after the golf tournament. I look forward to seeing you at Brookside Golf Course on the 18th on the golf course, at the wine tasting, at dinner – or at all three!

Jeff Stevens

SAAC President