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 I just returned from one of our best SIGMA meetings ever in Chicago where 672 attendees (323 marketers among them) learned about many of the changes affecting our industry. Weaved around all the educational offerings, attendees had ample time to enjoy some great networking opportunities as well. It was an excellent event and I’m sure, like me, attendees returned to their offices invigorated and ready to meet the challenges that lay ahead.
Harnessing this new energy, I am honored and ready to serve as SIGMA’s President in the New Year (and possibly 2008 if I am re-elected). Together with your newly constituted Board of Directors, I look forward to working to ensure that our industry remains prosperous and our association well-positioned to serve the motor fuels marketing community.
We’ve planned an aggressive agenda for the year. Early in 2007, our Board will undertake a review of our Strategic Plan and generate new ideas to move SIGMA ahead. Our strategic focus will be on creating opportunities for SIGMA members to improve their businesses via our association. Additionally, we’ll focus on growth. Our vision is to create a strong association of 300 marketer companies that represent the most progressive amongst North American marketers. We expect to continue creating strong networking opportunities for marketer members by holding first-class conventions with superior education and unique social events, special topic Share
Groups, and a soon-to-be announced International Study Tour in 2008.
We also plan to continue providing first class government relations utilizing our top tier Washington counsel. As we greet a new Democratic Party-led Congress in the year ahead, there will no doubt be even more creative ideas than usual to manage on the legislative front. Our long term vision is for SIGMAPAC to serve as the foundation of our government relations program by raising $500,000.00 per election cycle with a significant share of our members supporting the summer legislative lobbying conference and holding ongoing local district meetings with legislators via our GrassTops program. While our Board and Legislative Committee will anchor the government relations effort, it will require participation by many other members (including you) to successfully realize our vision. As constituents, it is our money, voice, and participation that leverage our investment in our professional counsel. Our investment has a lower return without our active support.
As we grow and adapt to changing times we will continue to enjoy the strong relationships and friendships from across the country with which we are blessed. Whether with suppliers or fellow marketers, there is no other place in our industry to connect like SIGMA. If you are not yet a member, please join us—you are welcome. It is certain to be an exciting and challenging year!
Paul D. Reid
President, The Reid Group
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