Author: GAWDA MEDIA

The GAWDA Networking 360 Event kicks off the First Day of the 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention With the party and revelry out of the way, the Business of the 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention kicked off on Thursday morning with the fourth annual return of the Networking 360 Program. Networking 360 is like speed dating for GAWDA Members, as 50 distributors are visited by 100 suppliers for 10 5 minute sessions. The event, which also featured a grab-and-go breakfast for participants, ran from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. in the same Tampa Bay Ballroom pre-function area that hosted last night’s party. The…

The 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention has Education as the theme of the Opening General Business Session The theme for Thursday at the Annual Convention was networking. But Friday shifted gears and was all about education. The morning kicked off with the emotional “Since Last We Met” video, before 2025 GAWDA President Eric Wood took the stage to discuss the state of the association and the industry. Following the opening remarks, we moved on to one of the highlights each year at the Annual Convention, the announcement of the GAWDA Gives Back Donation. The morning concluded with Mainstage Presentations from Derek…

The 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention Concludes with Induction of New Board Slate The final day of the 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention began with newly announced First Vice President Nicole Kissler taking the stage to announce that this year’s Convention saw 919 attendees, including 236 distributors and 477 suppliers. Thank you so much to everybody who took the time to attend this year’s Convention and commemorate GAWDA’s 80th Anniversary. Following a brief break, attendees reconvened for the keynote presentation of this year’s 2025 Convention. GAWDA President Eric Wood had the opportunity to interview Willie Robertson, the star and executive producer of…

The Convention Ended With a Thrill GAWDA Members wrapped up an unforgettable Convention with President Eric Wood and his wife Paula. Hosted at the Motor Enclave, this was an evening of celebration and excitement!

The 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention Kicks Off with Newcomers and President’s Welcome Receptions This year’s Convention saw the return of the GAWDA Guides Event during the Newcomers Reception. The GAWDA Guides originally debuted during the 2025 SMC in Dallas. This year’s GAWDA Guides Program was revamped slightly, as the Guides (a who’s who of industry legends) brought their newcomers’ around to learn more about GAWDA’s different committees. It was an excellent way to get newcomers’ acquainted, not only with each other, but also with all GAWDA has to offer. The Newcomers’ were given a BINGO board to fill out as…

The 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention Kicks Off with Newcomers and President’s Welcome Receptions This year’s Convention saw the return of the GAWDA Guides Event during the Newcomers Reception. The GAWDA Guides originally debuted during the 2025 SMC in Dallas. This year’s GAWDA Guides Program was revamped slightly, as the Guides (a who’s who of industry legends) brought their newcomers’ around to learn more about GAWDA’s different committees. It was an excellent way to get newcomers’ acquainted, not only with each other, but also with all GAWDA has to offer. The Newcomers’ were given a BINGO board to fill out as…

The 2025 GAWDA Gives Back Donation Eric and Paula Wood chose the Black Dagger Military Hunt Club for this year’s Gives Back Donation. This year also marks the 25th Annual Gives Back Donation, with GAWDA members having raised more than $3 million in the quarter century since the association launched GAWDA Gives Back. This year, GAWDA Members raised $207,151 for the Black Dagger Military Hunt Club, an organization that provides adaptive outdoor experiences, including hunting and fishing, for wounded veterans and Gold Star families. Thank you to everybody who donated, both directly and through this year’s Silent Auction. Your generosity…

Industry Hospitalities Hosted by GAWDA Member Companies at the 2025 Annual Convention in Tampa, FL If you hosted an Industry Hospitality and would like your photos featured/linked here. Please contact Steve Guglielmo at  [email protected]. Ratermann Pool Party View All Photos Captains Lounge Hospitality Sponsored by EQUIGAS, SafTCart, Dynaflux, and Kalas Select Arc Hospitality

Norco History In 1968, Larry Kissler packed up his wife, four kids, and a belief in something bigger, and drove a Volkswagen bus across the country from the East Coast to Idaho. He wasn’t chasing a trend. He was building a future, one rooted in people, service, and independence. That year, Kissler purchased Northwest Oxygen Company, founded in 1948 by David Nordling. The business had two locations: Boise and Twin Falls. It would later be renamed Norco, Inc. But even in those early years, the company’s future wasn’t defined by size. It was defined by values. Today, Norco is one…