Page 24 - Barbecue News June 2020 Issue

A Message from Barbara Latimer
As Patrick Murty, our NBBQA President, mentioned last month, we are in a time of transition. It’s during this time three action words came to my mind: reflect, remember, and release. As I reflected on the past few months, I realized I am more resilient than I thought. I remembered how blessed I am to have seen all the good that has come out of this tragic event. And finally, I released the anger I felt because some people, due to their own anxiety and fear, are harming others and exhibiting hate.
My mission in life, at Sonny’s BBQ, and now for NBBQA as President Elect, is to break down the invisible barriers we build because of our perceptions of how things should be, or because individual views are different from the group. Rather than creating these walls, we can, however, work to understand differences while embracing change.
The success and future of our industry, our businesses, and the NBBQA association lies in the involvement and deep commitment from each one of us. As we overcome past obstacles, look to improve current challenges, and pave the way for those entering the BBQ industry, I hope you will join me in embracing all we can be as individuals and as an association. I challenge each of us to give more than we get, be engaged rather than sit back, and to look to our future
rather than living in our past.
I can tell you that your board of directors has been diligently working these past few months. We are leaving no stone unturned as we evaluate strategies for
the future stability and growth of NBBQA. Brand awareness and fundraising will be our focal points. In addition to the 2021 Spring Conference,
Awards of Excellence Program, and Membership drives, we will look for
additional ways to build business opportunities and bring members to- gether, when appropriate, that will allow our participants to learn, grow, and maintain stability for the business of BBQ and grilling. And, we will continue to encourage the legends before us to mentor and lead the generation to come.
I look forward to the opportunities ahead as we build partnerships with members, businesses, and sponsors to help elevate the BBQ industry.
Sincerely, Barbara Latimer
BarbecueNews.com - 24
JUNE 2020