SWPPA President James Pitre M. Photog. Cr. CPP-API

Greetings fellow SWPPA members,

As Clay Allen mentioned in his final Presidential Message, the Sheraton convention location has created several major issues for SWPPA, the biggest being the sporting events in such close proximity to the hotel.
Despite working with us to alleviate these issues, the Sheraton can do little to control professional baseball arid football schedules. Due to heavy traffic, unhappy vendors, and prior membership attendance, we have moved the convention to a new Dallas location.

The Omni Mandalay at Las Colinas will now be our host hotel, and the Irving Convention Center will host the trade show (first floor) and programming (second floor).
Because of prior contact constraints, pre-convention print judging will still take place at the Sheraton.

This year’s convention speaking talent is second to none!
Our speakers will appeal to various aspects of our industry, including support staff— something that has been rarely addressed in the recent years.Here are a few confirmed speakers: Eddie Tapp, Joe G]yda, Richard Surdevant, Jim Cunningham, Dave Swoboda, Tony Corbell, and JB and DeEtta Sallee.The leadership hopes you are excited as we are about these excellent presenters!

In an effort to infuse a little more fun into our event Ibis year, SWPPA is planning a couple parties!
These parties will serve to rekindle old friendships as well as to meet new friends, speakers, SWPPA leadership, and vendors.
In keeping with this philosophy, our traditional banquet will be revived as an awards presentation followed by one of these parties.
The membership has been vocal about the lackluster banquet format, and board members have decided to try this new approach.

I attended a similarly-themed event at a state convention last year and its membership absolutely loved it. I think you will feel the same!I hope these bits of information get you excited about attending this year’s event.

As September nears, SWPPA will continue to update our membership about new details regarding confirmed additional speakers, the final program and fun new social events..

Mark your calendars:
▪ September 27-28, 2012 — Print Judging, Sheraton Hotel
▪ September 28 - October 1.2012 — SWPPA Convention, Irving Convention Center

This is going to be both a great learning experience and a fun time!

I do hope to see you there.