SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Note: This is a tentative schedule of events. All details subject to change. The-Southern.org will always have the latest information. The on-site program supersedes all pre-printed materials. All times are EDT.

TUESDAY, JUNE 20

2:00 - 5:30PM

Registration Desk Open, Acacia 1, Foyer

8:00AM - 1:30PM Golf Tournament: Naples Grande Golf Club offers varied elevations and unique water features. A portion of our Rees Jones designed course was centered around a 30-acre lake that is the picturesque backdrop for one of the more challenging golf holes.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21

9:00AM - 5:00PM

Registration Desk Open, Acacia 1 Foyer

9:00 - 10:00 AM Chair/Vice Chair Meeting, Banyan 1

10:00 - 11:00 AM Committee Meetings - Convention (Banyan 2), Education (Mangrove 1), Special Projects (Banyan 1), Government Affairs (Mangrove 2)

11:15AM - 12:00PM Finance & Budget Committee Meeting, Banyan 2

12:00 - 1:00PM Executive Committee Meeting, Banyan 2

2:30 - 3:30PM Board of Directors’ Meeting, Acacia 1-3

4:00 - 5:00PM

5:30 - 6:00PM

6:00 - 6:45PM

7:00 - 9:00PM

SLD Board Meeting, Acacia 4-6

New Vendor Reception, Sunset Veranda

All Buyers and First-time Vendors

Welcome Reception, Sunset Veranda

All invited

Chairman’s Dinner, Acacia 1-3

(For Board of Directors and Past Presidents)

After Dinner-Until Hospitality Suite, Vista Ballroom, Open to All

Continue our Southern themed evening with cocktails, dancing and entertainment at our Hospitality Suite. Shop our Silent Auction, whose proceeds fund the $22,000 in annual scholarships given out each year to deserving member students, as well as funding education sessions and more.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

7:30AM - 5:00PM Registration Desk Open, Acacia 1 Foyer

7:30 - 8:30AM Kick-Off Breakfast, Royal Palm Foyer

(Continental) Join us for a fresh breakfast and plenty of coffee to help you get ready for a jam-packed schedule.

Education Sessions

8:00 – 9:10AM SESSION 1, Royal 1-3

“Warehouse Technology of the Future”

Ed Romaine, VP of Marketing and Business Development, ConveyCo Technologies

This session will focus on exploring the warehouse and business requirements to find the RightFIT level of technologies and automation required to increase your KPIs. Needless to say, there is no shortage of new technologies available in the marketplace, but what level and type of automation makes sense for you is the question. Axioms such as “if a little is good, a lot is great, and one size fits all,” does NOT apply to today’s warehouse KPIs. To find the RightFIT, we will review the levels of automation and how and where they make sense.

9:20 – 10:30 AM SESSION 2, Royal 1-3

“A Uniquely Hershey Approach to Diversity”

Rocio Huerta, HR Manager, The Hershey Company

Lori Thomas, MBA, Sr. HR Manager, The Hershey Company Diversity is a source of energy and innovation at The Hershey Company. Their values of togetherness, integrity, making a difference and excellence have helped them build a uniquely Hershey approach that enables them to hire the best candidates, understand their diverse consumers, create more diverse and inclusive communities, and ultimately live their purpose of making more moments of goodness. Rocio and Lori, who developed the program, will expertly lead us through their process.

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM First Lady’s Social, The Catch Patio

10:45 AM – Noon GENERAL SESSION, Royal 1-3

“Honoring Those Who Were the Real Heros”

Heather Penney, Senior Resident Fellow for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Most widely recognized for her service on September 11, Heather “Lucky” Penney was part of the first wave of women to fly Air Force fighter jets. As the first female fighter pilot in her unit, she scrambled on 9/11 against Flight 93. Unarmed, had she and her flight lead been successful, they would have had to sacrifice their lives by ramming the airliner. Heather will share her story to honor those whom she views as the real heroes of Sept. 11: the passengers on a cross-country flight who prevented terrorists from further devastating a shocked nation.

Southern Association Of Wholesale Distributors 100th Annual Meeting

1:00 - 5:30PM Ten-2-Profit, Royal 4-8

Fast-paced and full of energy, these 10-minute “appointments” with buyers and vendors can be used to showcase new products or services, conduct a mini-business review, or introduce anticipated program changes.

6:15 - 7:00PM Get Acquainted Reception, Orchid Foyer

7:00 - 9:00PM Awards Banquet , Orchid Ballroom

This evening is an opportunity to recognize some of The Southern’s best –those who have demonstrated extensive commitment to service and achievement in the industry.

After Dinner-Until Hospitality Suite, Vista Ballroom

Open to All

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

7:30 - 8:30AM Breakfast, Royal Foyer

8:00 - 8:30AM General Membership Meeting, Royal Palm 1-3

8:30 - 1:00PM Registration Desk Open, Acacia 1 Foyer

8:45 - 10:15AM House of Deals, Royal 4-8

Use this additional time to review and discuss “show deals”, write orders, share samples or simply use it to catch up with your business partners. In an environment that is fun and relaxed, this event is a great way to discuss next steps and finalize opportunities.

10:30AM - 11:30PM Distributors Forum, Acacia 1-3

Representatives of all distribution companies are encouraged to attend. This meeting is open to distributors only.

11:45 - 12:30PM Executive Committee Meeting, Hibiscus

Hotel Reservations

Naples Grande Resort

475 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL 34103

To make hotel reservations, visit https://book.passkey.com/go/SAWD23

Deadline for group rate is May 31, 2023.

Register Now

prereg.net/2023/sawd

1st Distributor Attendee: $800

Each Additional Distributor: $600 Spouse and Children are FREE. Everyone MUST register for a badge.