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 14

2:00 - 5:30PM Registration Desk Open 8:30AM - 1:30PM Golf Tournament, Dyes Valley Course Depart hotel at 8:30 am for breakfast and practice time at the course. 9:30 am tee time.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

9:00AM - 5:00PM Registration Desk Open 9:00 - 10:00 AM Chair/Vice Chair Meeting 10:15 - 11:15 AM Committee Meetings - Convention, Education, Special Projects, Government Affairs 11:30AM - 12:30PM Finance & Budget Committee Meeting 1:00 - 2:00PM Executive Committee Meeting 2:30 - 3:30PM Board of Directors’ Meeting 4:15 - 5:15PM SLD Board Meeting 5:30 - 6:00PM New Vendor Reception All Buyers and First-time Vendors 6:00 - 7:30PM Welcome Reception, All invited 7:30 - 9:30PM Chairman’s Reception and Dinner at Aqua Grill (Depart hotel at 7:15 PM; For Board of Directors and Past Presidents) After Dinner-Until Hospitality Suite, 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 16

7:30AM - 5:00PM Registration Desk Open 7:30 - 8:30AM Kick-Off Breakfast (Continental) Join us for a fresh breakfast and plenty of coffee to help you get ready for a jampacked schedule. EDUCATION SESSIONS

8:00 – 9:10AM SESSION 1 Leah Brown, Talent Retention Strategist, Crescendo Strategies “Staying Power: How to Keep Employees Longer”

Frustrated your management approaches from the past aren’t working today? Why can’t new hires just do their jobs? Why do they always think the grass is greener elsewhere? While some of today’s workforce is made up of deep-rooted, dependable staff who’ve been with their companies for a long time, a larger number of positions are becoming a revolving door of turnover. Learn how to slow this impending churn and maximize the time you have with employees. Participants will: • Gain insight as to why diversity, equity, and inclusion is a must for attracting new employees and retaining existing team members • Uncover the real reasons employees leave most organizations and ways to encourage them to stay • Learn strategies for preparing your organization to manage today’s new shorter-term workforce

9:20 – 10:30AM SESSION 2 Shawn Burcham, CEO, PFSbrands “How to be Successful in Foodservice”

Shawn Burcham, CEO of PFSbrands and Founder of GRITT Business Coaching, will discuss what it takes to succeed in foodservice. Shawn will share best practices, trends, and success stories that he’s seen from his experience in the industry.

Participants will: • Discover what’s needed to thrive in the category • Gain insights from one of the foremost experts • Learn how to overcome challenges with foodservice

10:45AM – Noon GENERAL SESSION Rowdy Gaines, Olympic Gold Medalist

Join us as Rowdy shares his inspiring story of perseverance. His determination to compete in Los Angeles in 1984 after the 1980 boycott and his stellar success mark him as one of the world’s most dedicated as well as ambitious athletes.

1:15 - 5:20PM Ten-2-Profit

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.

6:00 - 7:00PM Get Acquainted Reception 7:00 - 9:00PM Awards Banquet 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, Open to All

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

7:30 - 8:30AM Breakfast 8:00 - 8:30AM General Membership Meeting 8:30AM - 1:00PM Registration Desk Open 8:45 - 11:15AM House of Deals 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. 11:30AM - 12:30PM Distributors Forum Representatives of all distribution companies are encouraged to attend. This meeting is open to distributors only. 12:45 - 1:30PM Executive Committee Meeting 5:00 - 7:00PM “One More Thing” Gathering at Alice & Pete’s to relax after the busy week.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Sawgrass Marriott

1000 Tournament Players Club Boulevard Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

To make hotel reservations, visit

https://book.passkey.com/go/SAWD99thAnnualMeeting Deadline for group rate is May 13, 2022.

REGISTER NOW

prereg.net/2022/sawd Deadline is May 20, 2022.

1st Distributor Attendee: $700 Each Additional Distributor: $500 Spouse and Children are FREE.

Everyone MUST register for a badge.

MEET THE SPEAKERS

LEAH BROWN

As the Talent Retention Strategist at Crescendo Strategies, Leah works with organizations across the country to bridge the workplace gaps that are causing unnecessary employee turnover. Leah has 25+ years of facilitation experience, is a Dale Carnegie Certified Trainer, and was named in Business First’s “20 People to Know in Education & Workforce Development” in Louisville, Kentucky.

SHAWN BURCHAM

Shawn Burcham is the Founder & CEO of Pro Food Systems, Inc. (PFSbrands) which he and his wife Julie started out of their home in 1998. PFSbrands has grown to 140+ employee-owners across 18 states and is now 100% employee-owned. The company has over 1,300 branded foodservice locations across 39 states and they are best known for their Champs Chicken franchise brand which was started in 1999. Since starting PFSbrands, Shawn has started and grown over 10 businesses while also investing in other businesses where he feels he can help owners become more successful, including the business coaching company GRITT Business Coaching, which includes the proprietary goal tracking software GRITTrac.

ROWDY GAINES

Rowdy Gaines has one of the most inspirational stories in all of sport. After missing the U.S. boycotted 1980 Olympics, he returned to the 1984 Olympics as an underdog – and emerged a winner. In 1991, Rowdy Gaines was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, paralyzing him for over two weeks. Not only did he recover, but he went on to win two World Master’s titles and broke two World Master’s records the following year. Today, Rowdy Gaines is often referred to as “Swimming’s Greatest Ambassador.” Known as the “Voice of Swimming,” he has worked with CBS, TNT, ESPN and NBC as an announcer for swimming and other events. Rowdy Gaines travels the world passionately sharing his love for the sport of swimming with youth, parents and coaches.