Welcome to The Southern’s 100th Annual Meeting!

Dear Southern Friends and Family,

A century after The Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors held its first annual meeting in Atlanta, the organization’s remarkable legacy lives on in ways that never could have been imagined by those who attended the inaugural event.

For 100 years, The Southern has provided networking, education, and kinship for the wholesale convenience industry. We’re honored to have created moments that helped build strong connections, grow businesses, advocate on legislative issues, and advance the industry. Many of you came to The Southern’s meetings as a child and now attend it as part of the business and bring your own children. You in particular, truly understand what it is to experience the magic of The Southern.

During the meeting, our Southern 100th celebrations will give us the chance to say thank you to generations of members, and to honor the brilliant companies and people whose talents, personalities, and exceptional achievements that make The Southern such an enduring part of our culture.

As we look to our next 100 years, the association will never be done. We will continue to provide a venue for members to connect, learn, and advance the industry.

So, as we commemorate our historic anniversary, I want to thank you for helping us carry forth the legacy that previous generations inspired all those years ago. And it is because of you The Southern is what it is today.

With gratitude,

VJ Mayor