November President's Message

Dear GELSSA Members and Friends,

As I step into the role of President of GELSSA, I am both honored and excited to serve this incredible association. First, I would like to thank Derek Dever for serving as our President since 2020! His exceptional leadership and dedication as President of GELSSA over the last 4 years, guided us through challenging times and has played a pivotal role in revitalizing and getting our association back on track. Reflecting on the progress we have made this year, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the dedication and hard work our volunteer leaders have contributed. 2024 has been a year of remarkable achievements with130% revenue growth, and re-energizing our membership that is up 30% since the beginning of the year with 20 new members joining and bringing fresh perspectives and energy to our association!

Throughout the year, we hosted our quarterly events, webinars, and networking opportunities that have not only enhanced our professional skills but also strengthened the bonds within our association. The GELSSA Fall Summit was an incredible event and if you were not able to attend you definitely missed out. I learned a ton but also had a great time in the process. The Networking Bingo event where we go to know everyone better was fun. Counte, I'm so sorry no one else had an April birthday with you! I would also like to thank our Fall Summit overall event sponsors, Johnson Controls & Rev.io for the incredible support and making our event possible! I'm also very grateful to SDI and PDK for sponsoring the breakfast and lunch respectively at the Summit. 

As we look forward to 2025, there is much to be excited about. We have already re-invented and planned our Quarterly Events, and have ambitious plans to expand our initiatives, introduce new programs, and continue providing valuable resources that empower our members. Our focus will remain on fostering professional development, advocating for our industry, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration. With that, I'd like to personally invite you to attend our Q1 Membership Meeting & Expo coming up on March 7th at The Governors Gun Club! We are happy to announce that this event will feature dozens of exhibitors, a shooting event and a packed membership meeting agenda that will be sure to catapult our association forward!!

I encourage all members to get actively involved and take full advantage of the benefits that GELSSA offers. Your participation is crucial to our collective success, and your insights and feedback are invaluable as we navigate the path ahead. Together, we can achieve even greater milestones and make a lasting impact on our industry here in GA and most importantly within your business!

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to GELSSA. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to working with each of you to make 2025 a year of continued growth and success. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Brandon Shepard
GELSSA President