2020 Annual Meeting Recap

Going, Going, GONE Virtual

Due to our concern for the safety of members and vendor partners related to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Southern made the decision to hold the 2020 Annual Meeting virtually. This was not an easy decision. The executive team had met regularly to bring us all together in Panama City later in the year, but the trends related to the pandemic, particularly in Florida, left us no choice. Despite this dramatic change and the uncertainty associated with hosting a large virtual event, business got done at The Southern’s 97th Annual Meeting! During our signature event, Ten-2-Profit, we hosted nearly 1,000 virtual meetings between distributors and the top convenience store manufacturers from around the country. New business relationships were built and existing ones were strengthened during these 10 minutes sessions.

None of this would be possible without the continued support of all our sponsors. We salute them for their commitment to The Southern each year. n

2020 SPONSORS

Altria Group Distribution Company Burdette Beckmann Creative Data Research Dot Foods The Hershey Company ITG Brands

Jack Link’s Protein Snacks Lil’ Drug Store Matrix Brokerage National Tobacco Co. ProCat Distribution Technologies RAI Trade Marketing Services Co.

Republic Tobacco SAWD Education Fund SICPA Smokey Mountain Snuff Swedish Match Swisher International

SAWD Education Fund

We’re looking forward to seeing you again!