Written by:  Andrew Monteyne, President, All-County Apparel

As I look ahead to what’s next for SAAGNY, I’m reminded that the strength of this association has always come from its people: members who show up, support one another, and keep pushing this industry forward. That is what makes this organization valuable, and that is what makes this an exciting time to be involved.

Our rescheduled Winter Show gave us a glimpse of the momentum we are carrying into Promo East NYC in June 2026. Be sure to mark your calendar for June 15 and 16.

What is especially exciting is that Promo East is not being approached as business as usual. There is a real effort underway to make this event feel different in all the right ways. From the opening experiences to the flow of the show floor itself, the goal is to create an atmosphere that is engaging, useful, and reflective of where our industry is headed. We want attendees to leave with fresh ideas, stronger connections, and renewed enthusiasm for the work we all do every day.

At the same time, leading the Membership Board alongside Jeff Hinds, I’m especially excited about the initiatives we are working on to strengthen the SAAGNY community. A major priority is bringing in new members while also making current members more aware of the many perks, resources, and opportunities that come with being part of this association. There is tremendous value in SAAGNY membership, and we want to do a better job of making sure that value is seen, felt, and fully used.

We are also thinking carefully about how to make the overall experience better for every member in attendance. That means more thoughtful programming, stronger opportunities for supplier visibility, and spaces that allow distributors to meet, reset, and have meaningful conversations throughout the event. Every piece of it is being built with intention.

I’m proud to be part of what SAAGNY is building, and I’m looking forward to what is ahead. June will be here before we know it, and Promo East NYC is shaping up to be something special. See you there!