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Writer's pictureGary Pageau

Executive Director's Letter: The Best Investment Available


Just a reminder that April showers bring May flowers! I have spoken to so many companies this month and everyone says the same thing: "There is not enough time in the day." The theme is our companies are growing so fast that it is hard to keep up with all the changes, additions, hiring, training, new partner needs and a supply chain issue impacting us all too.

Well, May is around the corner and though I can't promise it will be all roses, there are lots of wonderful things getting ready to happen for you and our industry.

We are less than five and a half weeks away from what will be a game-changing conference and training experience -SPOA's International Conference on School Photography & Yearbooks - for all of the companies attending, and the industry partners and suppliers. If your schedule does not allow you to attend, then send someone as the information being shared, trained and given will be worth 200 times the cost to travel and attend.

The conference offers incomparable value, from from having the U.S. Secret Service teach the most common ways cyber criminals are attacking companies to providing you with solutions and information on what to do when it happens. Imagine having the Executive Director from Access4Learning and Student Data Privacy Coalition teaching you the legal aspects of the new student data laws and how you need to prepare and what you need to provide schools and districts with to continue being able to gain that vital student data. The conference features courses from Dale Carnegie and Sandler that together would cost one person more than $1,000 to attend. The conference has roundtable discussions with large and small company owners tackling some of the largest topics people are having today. In addition, having great sales and RFP/bid training in our industry is insanely

valuable. But having educators come in and run panel discussions with you asking the questions is a game-changer. No opinions, just simply what educators are looking for and how they want to be treated and conduct business. These panels could radically transform the way you respond to districts and schools immediately and increase your win rate by huge margins.


In addition, Friday evening will be a celebration of the national photographic awards and industry leadership awards at a fine dining and business formal event. We will look back at what our industry has done in the last 100 years and celebrate icons and historical moments that have shaped our industry into what it is today.

Last, we will be taking on nominations and voting on new board seats as well as informing you of the future opening seats on both the Governing Board and Executive Board. As a true trade association, we will be electing new officers and board members each year effective this meeting based on the term of the seats and positions as stated in our bylaws. We are thrilled at the job that has been done by our existing board members to carry the torch where they have and also excited to see new leaders step up and serve this terrific industry and organization.


So, don't waste another day. If you are a school picture company, a yearbook company, a retiree, or even an educator, book your ticket today! If you are an industry supplier and want to exhibit, email Jeff Frazine at jeff@schooltraditions.org.

If you have any questions, reach out to any of our board members or myself directly at 615-924-4780. We are so excited about this event and can't wait to see so many of you in Houston!

Have an amazing rest of your week and thank you for all you do to keep our rich school traditions strong in school photography and yearbooks!







David Crandall

Executive Director


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