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2024 A PGA /LPGA Co nventi o n Rec ap
2024 APGA/LPGA Convention Recap

he annual APGA/LPGA Joint Summer Conven-
tion, "Coastal State of Mind" was held on June
24-26 at the Pensacola Hilton in Pensacola
TBeach, Florida. This year's event was a great
success with record participation, 150 attendees!
The festivities began with a Welcome Recep-
tion sponsored by the Alabama and Louisiana Suppli-
ers. Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner,
Rick Pate welcomed attendees along with President,
Bubba Quick (APGA) and Kenny Lucero (LPGA). A great
big thank you to the Supplier members from each state
for their continued support of this event.

On Tuesday, we opened with a breakfast
sponsored by Warm Thoughts Communications. Next,
during the joint meetings, members were provided
with the NPGA Issues of Importance from Benjamin
Nussdorf, and the PERC Update from Kirstain McArdle.
To round out the morning presentations, Benjamin
provided a legislative workshop. Directly following the sponsored by Harper Industries. This exciting annual
morning presentations, APGA and LPGA held their fundraiser supports the David Reaves, Don Haden, Bill
association meetings. Montgomery, and Marie Daniel Scholarships which
During the APGA Membership and Board of are all part of the APGA and LPGA Scholarship Funds.
Directors Meeting, the year's activities were reviewed. Thank you to everyone who participated by donating
Lobbyists, Phillip and Alison Kinney, provided a report or purchasing an auction item. This year's event raised
from the 2024 legislative session. Next, former Ala- $11,844 of which each state received $5,922.
bama Secretary of State, John H. Merrill, discussed The activities began bright and early on
the importance of awareness and participation in Wednesday morning with a Deep Sea Fishing excursion
legislative matters and explained how active participa- sponsored by RegO. Mid-morning activities included a
tion can strengthen the association and the industry's Golf Scramble at Tiger Point Country Club and Hangin'
governmental affairs efforts for year's to come. After- on the Beach Day at the Hilton, both sponsored by
wards, Immediate Past President, Jessie Morgan, gave Bergquist, Inc. Thank you to the event sponsors for
the past year's Board of Directors service awards. The ensuring these activities were a success.
meeting concluded with NPGA's Benjamin Nussdorf As always, we ended the convention with a
conducting the installation of the 2024-2025 Board of fantastic celebration. Before dinner began, APGA Pres-
Directors. We look forward to another great year of ident, Bubba Quick awarded the President's Award to
leadership from our newly installed Board of Directors. Michael Toomey (Thompson Gas) for his many years in
After the association meetings, there were the propane industry and for his dedication to APGA.
several exciting activities to choose from: a Dolphin Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious dinner buffet fol-
Cruise or a trade show. Thank you to the Supplier lowed by Hypnotist William Mitchell. Mitchell delivered
members who took part in the inaugural trade show on his promise. It was more than a performance - it was
event. Later in the afternoon, the weather was beau- an event!
tiful for the sold-out Dolphin Cruise. Attendees were We hope you will join us for next year's con-
treated to a two-hour cruise in the bay with several vention on June 29-July 1 at the Perdido Beach Resort
frisky dolphins making an appearance. in Orange Beach, Alabama. Please contact APGA to
On Tuesday evening, we held the Dessert join the Convention Committee so you can help us
Extravaganza, Reverse Raffle, and Silent Auction event ensure the next convention is a successful event.■

10 Alabama Propane Gas Association | September / October 2024