With 2023 in our collective rear-view mirror, we’re left with industry experiences layered in highs and lows, triumphs and trials, big wins and woeful losses, including within POMA. Pre-Covid, POMA’s strength and stability shined. As a result, that strength carried our organization through the pandemic, one of the toughest challenges our nation has experienced over the course of the previous century, shuttering a myriad businesses and non-profit organizations. Of course, we’re still here but showing a few scars mixed with the new challenges of inflation and our country’s overall economic turmoil. Even so, we’re well on our way to returning to POMA’s pre-Covid strength. New members are joining, previous members are returning and current members are renewing – the latter, slowly so if that’s you, get on board!
As mentioned, our current board is wholly devoted to POMA’s strength and growth. In Q4 of 2023, we hired our new executive director, Rob Sexton. Since then, we’ve been busy reviewing bylaws and committees, auditing financial statements, reaching out and listening to previous, existing and prospective outdoor industry media members and corporate partners and planning for an epic Annual Meeting! This year’s Meeting, scheduled for May 6 – 8 in Pinewood, South Carolina, is sure to include exceptional opportunities to create content, valuable networking opportunities, impactful hands-on exhibitor showcases and some amazing hunting-camp vibes. With the event now on the horizon, I want to thank our growing list of partners including South Carolina Waterfowl Association, Palmetto State Armory, Toyota, Sellmark Corporation, South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance, Santee Cooper Country, Whitetails Unlimited and the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce. If you’d like to become a sponsor, please email Britney Booth at Britney@BoothMediaGroup.com for more information.
I’ll close now by thanking all of you for your loyal memberships and partnerships with POMA, the board for their tireless efforts through a mountain of tasks, Rob Sexton for his diligent efforts as our new executive director and operations specialist Laura Kenning for her unwavering devotion to making our POMA machine go. Extra special thanks go to vice president Britney Booth and secretary Gabriella Hoffman for their consistent above-and-beyond efforts, far surpassing their expected officer roles. It’s such a privilege to serve with Rob, Laura, Britney, Gabriella and the rest of our amazing board of directors, and a blessing to serve all of you. Together, we’re doing great things!
We’ll see you in South Carolina!