Howdy BBIA Members,
I want to thank each member for their support and input throughout this past year. I also want to recognize the board of directors for their dedication and commitment to serving the association.
The year 2020 will go down as one to be remembered, although most of us would prefer to forget. Many of us have endured casualties, both personally and professionally. I express my sincere condolences to those that have lost a loved one or a business due to the economic setbacks caused by the pandemic. But with a vaccine comes new hope and opportunity to regroup and move forward, and it starts with the 2021 BBIA Convention.
One of our goals is to improve the distributor trade show network and find extra value for being a member of BBIA. We have made small steps to improving the network, but still have some work to do before accomplishing our goal. The pandemic upended the entire trade show circuit. But with great optimism, the back half of 2021 should be strong for the entire industry. And now, more than ever, we need to work together to help control expenses and make distribution as smooth as possible.
I am particularly proud of this organization and how our members make up a large portion of the leadership within the industry. The BBIA Convention is the gathering place where distributors and manufacturers can get to together and openly discuss and solve issues while looking forward to finding ways to grow the sport—together.
In terms of governance, with the pushback of the 2020 Cancun convention, Andy Brenneman will be our convention chair for 2022. Gus Falgien will chair next years event in Cancun as he was scheduled to do in 2020.
It has been an absolute pleasure serving as your president over the last two years and I thank you again for your continued support of BBIA.
See you in Florida.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Land
President, BBIA
