Chair of the Board's Message: Brighter Days Ahead

When I sat down to write this, I first looked to see what I had to say last year at this time. Yes, I peered way back to the December 2019 Primary Agent – before stay-at-home orders, toilet-paper shortages, and epidemiology crash courses. (Admittedly, much of 2020 felt like opening Pandora’s Box and being unable to close it.)

In that December 2019 message I said, “I hope that you are enthusiastically looking forward to what is coming in 2020.” Here we are a year later, and I want to say, “Let’s put 2020 in the rearview mirror, and the sooner, the better!”

Of course there were bright spots in 2020: Many stepped up and served their fellow man and are to be lauded and applauded – our health care workers, in particular. And thousands of others, in our industry included, stepped forward to provide support for those in need. I pray for those whose businesses have been decimated by shutdown orders and suggest that we support them with our pocketbooks when the opportunities arise.

There were other interesting points in last December’s magazine though. You see, I wrote of gratitude for our association’s strength in leadership. And truly, I do feel that more keenly now, after witnessing the dedication of our Board of Directors throughout this year. There were new uncertainties each month, yet IA&B’s volunteer leaders were steady and smart in their governance and oversight. I also wrote of my optimism for the future of our industry. And that remains a constant. The next generation of industry leaders showed their resilience this year, and they succeeded while dealing with unprecedented challenges.

I won’t close my message for December 2020 naively. We all know that the new year will bring more tests and sacrifices. But I will encourage you to hold onto your optimism. There are brighter days ahead, and our industry will be an essential part of that recovery.

Respectfully,

Craig S. Mader, Chair of the Board