CONVENTION COMMENCES WITH NEWCOMERS RECEPTION AND PRESIDENT’S WELCOME RECEPTION

The Annual Convention officially kicked off with the Newcomers Reception, which was held next to the South Pool. 2022 GAWDA President Bob Ewing welcomed attendees to the event, which gave new GAWDA members an opportunity to network with seasoned industry veterans before the full group headed over to the President's Welcome Reception. The Newcomers Reception was a perfect tone-setter for the Conference, as members came together to network and new attendees got to mingle in a more intimate setting.

News From Gawda

Directly following the Newcomers Reception, the President's Welcome Reception was held at the beautiful Marina Terrace, next to the breathtaking San Diego Marina. The President's Welcome Reception served as a picture-perfect kick-off for the Convention. With live music, great hors d'oeuvres, beautiful scenery and even better company, the Welcome Reception was a welcome opportunity for members to once again come together for a great week of fun, learning and networking.

Getting Down To Business

The Opening General Business Session kicked off with a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem from four-time San Diego Music Award winner Whitney Shay followed by GAWDA Second Past President Brad Peterson leading the assembled crowd in our Pledge of Allegiance. After that, the “Since We Last Met” video played, updating GAWDA Members on the myriad world and industry events that have taken place since we last gathered together in Indianapolis for the Spring Management Conference.

For the first time, GAWDA’s Women of Gases and Welding Committee announced a scholarship to send recipients to the University of Innovative Distribution. Originally conceived as a scholarship for two women, the overwhelming generosity of GAWDA Members allowed the WGW to pick four recipients for the inaugural scholarship. Congratulations to the following recipients:

• Linsey Rosenberry - ILMO Products

• Melissa Oyler - Ratermann Manufacturing

• Lisa Blackketter-RoyalAnalgesic Services, Inc.

• Angela Radebaugh - American Welding & Gas.

Following the WGW Scholarship information, Bob Ewing was joined on stage by his beautiful wife, Lauren, and GAWDA Executive Director John Ospina for the presentation of this year’s GAWDA Gives Back. Now in its 22nd year, GAWDA Gives Back each year rewards a charity local to the Annual Convention with a generous donation. This year’s recipient, Alzheimer’s San Diego, was especially poignant, as Bob and Lauren lost a family member to Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s San Diego President/CEO Eugenia Welch took the stage to accept this year’s incredible donation of nearly $180,000. Thank you to all GAWDA Members who donated.

Then, Abydee Butler Moore introduced the 2022-2023 slate of GAWDA officers, including “Mr. X” which actually turned out to be “Mrs. X” second Vice President and 2026 President-Elect Allison Earlbeck. Abydee also introduced this year’s new slate of Board Members: Brad Dunn, John Hill, Jason Kirby, Liz Standley, and Scott Rummans continued on next page

Congratulations to all new GAWDA Board Members! We look forward to working closely with you.

The first General Session presenter of the day was Dr. Michaela Bucchianeri Michaela is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and educator dedicated to leveraging the power of words to transform our individual and collective wellness. She presented on the topic of mental health and work-life balance. Featuring interviews with GAWDA members throughout the presentation, Michaela discussed the concept of bringing mental health issues and awareness into the light and opening the lines of communication with ourselves and our employees to ensure that everybody is getting the help that they need and living a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.

The final General Session presentation of the day was given by Chart Industries President/CEO Jill Evanko Jill discussed her journey to becoming Chart's CEO, her own experience with "Building a Bridge," as well as her operating philosophy since being appointed

CEO in 2018. She discussed the idea that she doesn't want to be remembered as a great "female CEO," but rather as, simply, a "Great CEO." She touched on important industry trends, including Chart's focus on the "Nexus of Clean" and how we can make these lofty future aspirations into a reality. Following her incredibly informational presentation was a Q&A with audience members.

Friday Features Debuts Of Networking 360 Event And Return Of Contact Booth Program

Friday morning kicked off with GAWDA's first-ever Networking 360 event. The event, which began at 8:00 a.m., featured 105 supplier member companies, who had the opportunity to spend 5-minute sessions with the 53 distributor member companies who attended the event. Nearly 300 people participated with one member remarking that, "I would pay my entire dues for the year, just to attend this event."

Thank you to everyone who participated for making this such a success, and thank you, especially, to the Industry Partnering Committee for making this vision into a reality. We look forward producing this event at future GAWDA events going forward.

Members who attended the Networking 360 event were able to roll the networking right into the Contact Booth Program, which took place from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Marriott

Grand Ballroom. Nearly 600 people attended the event, which has become the can't miss networking opportunity of the entire year in the gases and welding industry. They had the opportunity to walk the show floor to see the 141 exhibitors in attendance and discuss the latest and greatest innovations that our industry has to offer. We thank all the GAWDA members who attended.