That's a wrap!
Hello to Everyone! It has been a great two years as President of this Association – but I could not have done it without my team! A HUGE thank you to Angie Rhonke for really taking the reins for the show this year and hosting it in her home state. She was amazing and deserves all the accolades! The Trade Show was extremely well organized in every detail. Thank you again Angie!
During the General Session of our Trade Show, attendees participated in some frank discussion about the future of our Association. With most of the Board Members at the end of their term and few people willing to take on the jobs of organizing a trade show and keeping the Association functioning in even a modest way, it is clear we have run out of steam.
Next year, we will be suspending the trade show portion of our Association. However, we will be holding a SWDA networking dinner event during the Las Vegas Gift Show (dates and location to be announced). We are excited for this change as we feel the Association might need a break.
The new Board, made up largely of vendors, is tasked with beginning to tackle the process of dissolving the Association should no one come forward to take on the job of planning and organizing a Trade Show in the future. It is anticipated dissolving the Association could take up to two years.
We discussed this in great lengths at the General Session, and no one really wants to see the Association end, however, we need all those planners out there to step up and help the Board.
We are also tossing around the ideas of other networking events at other shows. We would love to hear from you what you would like to see. Email the Board of Directors and let us know! SWDABOD1@gmail.com.
A brief recap of our show – we had several new suppliers this year that we, as distributors, thought offered some great new products – you missed out if you weren’t there! A big thank you as well for all our suppliers to ventured to Colorado – we had a great time and you always have amazing things to show us! We had a great time at Dave and Busters for our closing party – a big thanks to Joe Kruger for arranging all that he did – we ate, drank, and played to our hearts content!
Along with these changes we have some other news. We have decided to close out the Ricky Riggs account. As an Association we have decided to donate the balance of our funds to the medical care of Carly Tobin, The YMCA of Northern Colorado, A Precious Child, I have a Dream Foundation, and There with Care.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you all as President these last 2 years – I hope to see everyone in Vegas in 2020 for our fun networking event!
Libby Smith
Immediate Past President
During the General Session of our Trade Show, attendees participated in some frank discussion about the future of our Association. With most of the Board Members at the end of their term and few people willing to take on the jobs of organizing a trade show and keeping the Association functioning in even a modest way, it is clear we have run out of steam.
Next year, we will be suspending the trade show portion of our Association. However, we will be holding a SWDA networking dinner event during the Las Vegas Gift Show (dates and location to be announced). We are excited for this change as we feel the Association might need a break.
The new Board, made up largely of vendors, is tasked with beginning to tackle the process of dissolving the Association should no one come forward to take on the job of planning and organizing a Trade Show in the future. It is anticipated dissolving the Association could take up to two years.
We discussed this in great lengths at the General Session, and no one really wants to see the Association end, however, we need all those planners out there to step up and help the Board.
We are also tossing around the ideas of other networking events at other shows. We would love to hear from you what you would like to see. Email the Board of Directors and let us know! SWDABOD1@gmail.com.
A brief recap of our show – we had several new suppliers this year that we, as distributors, thought offered some great new products – you missed out if you weren’t there! A big thank you as well for all our suppliers to ventured to Colorado – we had a great time and you always have amazing things to show us! We had a great time at Dave and Busters for our closing party – a big thanks to Joe Kruger for arranging all that he did – we ate, drank, and played to our hearts content!
Along with these changes we have some other news. We have decided to close out the Ricky Riggs account. As an Association we have decided to donate the balance of our funds to the medical care of Carly Tobin, The YMCA of Northern Colorado, A Precious Child, I have a Dream Foundation, and There with Care.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you all as President these last 2 years – I hope to see everyone in Vegas in 2020 for our fun networking event!
Libby Smith
Immediate Past President
Notes from New President Kerry Turner
A BIG THANK YOU to Angie for all her hard work to make the 2019 SWDA Trade Show a big success. Distributors and Suppliers alike all enjoyed the beautiful State of Colorado while putting together new items and ideas for 2020.
As Libby mentioned – the plan is to suspend the Trade Show portion of the Association and hold a networking dinner in Las Vegas during the 2020 Las Vegas Souvenir Show. Place, date and time all to be announced. Members of the Board will be visiting various suggested locations in the next couple of weeks. This will certainly be a party you do not want to miss!
The new Board, certainly welcomes anyone who would like to become part of the planning group putting together next year's event. The Board is a tight group that certainly welcomes all volunteers.
Joe Kruger – we certainly missed you at the closing party. Thank you for all your work putting the wonderful event together. The food was exceptional and we all played games until the closing bell rang.
I look forward to seeing everyone in 2020 and if you would like to email me, please feel free to do so at SWDABOD1@gmail.com
Kerry Turner
President
As Libby mentioned – the plan is to suspend the Trade Show portion of the Association and hold a networking dinner in Las Vegas during the 2020 Las Vegas Souvenir Show. Place, date and time all to be announced. Members of the Board will be visiting various suggested locations in the next couple of weeks. This will certainly be a party you do not want to miss!
The new Board, certainly welcomes anyone who would like to become part of the planning group putting together next year's event. The Board is a tight group that certainly welcomes all volunteers.
Joe Kruger – we certainly missed you at the closing party. Thank you for all your work putting the wonderful event together. The food was exceptional and we all played games until the closing bell rang.
I look forward to seeing everyone in 2020 and if you would like to email me, please feel free to do so at SWDABOD1@gmail.com
Kerry Turner
President
