Lacy Bates: SMA Membership Development Manager-69th Annual Convention & Suppliers' Showcase

Lacy Bates, SMA Membership Development Manager, joins Neil Dudley to discuss SMA’s upcoming 69th Annual Convention & Suppliers' Showcase at the Hyatt Hill Country in July. Lacy and Neil give a brief review of what to expect at this year's convention, including the speaker lineup, SMA Foundation scholarship fundraising efforts, and the family friendly atmosphere.

Links: https://southwestmeat.org/

2025 SMA Convention Page : https://bit.ly/3GAI5y4

 

Topics

00:51 Guest Introduction: Lacy Bates

02:23 Importance of Networking at the Convention

03:04 Details of the 69th Annual Convention

06:20 Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fundraising

10:18 Scholarship Program and Fundraising Efforts

13:29 Supplier Showcase and Networking Opportunities

17:43 Challenges and Goals for Future Conventions

20:53 Discussing the Convention Experience

21:38 Convention Costs and Value

23:13 Accommodation and Networking

24:20 Importance of Participation

24:47 Speaker Lineup and Topics

25:44 Immigration and Employment Labor

27:09 Regulatory Landscape and Legislation

29:53 Food Safety and Pathogens

31:16 Foreign Material Detection

32:28 Dealing with Animal Activism

36:40 Scholarship Fundraising and Recognition

39:05 Chairman's Dinner and Dance

39:53 Best of the Wurst Sausage Contest

40:28 Thanking the Sponsors

41:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts