The Southern’s 102nd Annual Meeting Recap
June 23-26, 2025 (vendor events June 23-26, 2025)
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point
5001 Coconut Rd.
Bonita Springs, Florida
Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors Hosts Successful 102nd Annual Meeting
The Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors (SAWD) held its 102nd Annual Meeting from June 23-26, 2025 with great acclaim. During the event, nearly 80 vendors from across the country met with 50 wholesale distributors over two days. “The Southern is where business gets done, but it’s always been about more than that,” said VJ Mayor, CAE, CEO of The Southern. “The familial atmosphere and networking opportunities are what makes this association and this event so special.”
Immediately following the meeting, April Garver (SouthCo Distributing) took over as president of SAWD, after Jack Casanova’s successful presidency. Other nominations were Chris Smythers (Merchants Grocery) as 1st Vice President, Ross Haynes (Hardec’s) as 2nd Vice President and Jake Stewart as 3rd Vice President. Outgoing president, Jack Casanova was recognized with The Southern Hershey Leadership Award for his contributions to the association and will assume the position as board chairman.
In addition to the Hershey Leadership Award, The Southern honored the following 2025 award winners:
- SLD Leader of the Year: Joe Dilger (ITG Brands)
- Service Award: Paula Glidewell (Glidewell Distributing)
- Liberty Award: Matt Domingo (Reynolds)
- Vendor of the Year: Scott Hill (Jack Links Country Fresh Meats)
- Career Achievement Award: Sam Stewart (Stewart Distribution)
The Southern also continued it’s longstanding Meetings with a Mission, with the conference raising over $3,000 for Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national who works assists families with financial support.
The 2026 Southern Annual Meeting will be the organization’s 103rd and is taking place from June 22-25 at the Tradewinds in St. Pete Beach. Vendor program, applications, and sponsorship opportunities can be accessed below or from the images in the right margin:
