Source: GAWDA
The 2020 GAWDA Annual Convention was due to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, but due to the coronavirus pandemic was moved to a virtual event.
GAWDA President Abydee Moore began the virtual event which included association updates, volunteer awards, 2020-2021 slate of officers, CGA (Compressed Gas Association) Distributors Programme and Award update from CGA President Rich Gottwald and an announcement about future meetings in 2022 and 2023.
Moore said, “This year revealed how tough and cohesive our GAWDA leadership is. Looking forward to 2021, our theme is ‘eyes up’ to spot opportunities and threats to your business.”
It was announced that Moore will continue as GAWDA President into 2021, with Bob Ewing, President at Red Ball Oxygen, as President Elect.
Moore, Butler Gas COO and President, added, “I look forward to serving as your GAWDA President in 2021. One of the biggest wins this year was how are industry has stuck together.”
GAWDA’s next major event will be the Spring Management Conference (SMC) in Nashville, Tennessee on 29th March to 31st March next year, and will feature a general business session and contact booth. The 2021 Annual Convention will be held in Colorado Springs, 6th October to 9th October, while in 2022 the SMC will be in Indianapolis (3rd April-5th April) and the Annual Convention in San Diego (5th October-8th October).
“We look forward to getting our members together in 2021,” Moore added.
During the pandemic, GAWDA has kept members together through an extensive online schedule which it plans on continuing.
GAWDA serves over 550 gases and welding supply distributors, manufacturers, independent manufacturer’s representatives and individual members in North America.
Bob Ewing, said “Our leadership is laser focused to maximise opportunities for your membership.”
In the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and GAWDA Distributor Safety Awards, Andy Oxy Company Inc, of Asheville, North Carolina, received the 2019 award for fewer than 100,000 employee exposure hours. Industrial Source Inc, of Springfield, Oregon, was the 2019 recipient for more than 100,000 employee exposure hours.
It was announced that in 2023, GAWDA’s SMC will be in Philadelphia (6th May-8th May) with the Annual Convention that year at The Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii (2nd October-5th October).