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Message from the PRESIDENT

an update on 2022 events

david campbell udging by the number of calls and emails from and signing authority. By opening the position to
LBMAO President Jmembers, I can tell that there is a great demand for vendors, a larger pool of board participants will be
our events – such as golf tournaments and the Cool Car available.
Ride – so we can get out and enjoy life and network with All member businesses will receive a notice of
fellow industry peers again. meeting as well as the proposed changes to the by-
We are in the process of establishing dates and laws. If you cannot attend the meeting virtually, we
times for all our events and will be publishing them would encourage you to sign and return the proxy that
on our website. Currently, dates are listed for the golf will accompany the notice of meeting and return it to
tournaments; however we are still in the process of our office.
confirming whether or not they will offer banquet As the economy and the country opens and we
services after the round of golf. Not all courses can return to a more normal routine, we will all have to be
commit to offering full tournament support due to diligent in how we live within the restraints of being
staff shortages and finalizing COVID protocols for affected by the COVID virus and its many variants which
tournaments. I expect that we will have to change some will be with us for quite some time. Although we intend
of the courses from previous years so I to move forward with in-person attendance at most of
"Currently, dates would suggest you visit our website to our events, we will have to monitor the impact of the
are listed for the keep up to date. virus as it moves through our lives.
The “Cool Car and Motorcycle”
One last note! My tenure as President will be coming
golf tournaments, ride is in the planning stages; again to an end this year as I move towards retirement. I
we are struggling to find a route that had intended to retire a couple of years ago; however,
however we are can provide a number of dealers to with the COVID virus affecting the operation of the
still in the process visit as well as hotel accommodations. Association, I made the decision to stay on to manage
The Lake Erie shoreline is being things during these turbulent times. The board is now
of confirming contemplated for this well attended searching for a replacement for me, and we will keep
event. members informed about the progress.
whether or not Our AGM will be held on the 19th
they will offer of May and will be in a virtual format.
This is an important annual event and
banquet services this year the board has approved a
after the round of significant change to the LBMAO by- Save the Dates!
laws that will provide the opportunity
golf." for supplier representatives to sit as the
chair of the Association. • June 29: Eastern Ontario District
Tournament – Smugglers Glen Golf
The primary reasons for the change are:
The Association was established in 1917 as a retail Club, Gananoque
building supply/lumber dealer organization. Over the • July 20: Northern Ontario District
years, suppliers of these retailers have been admitted Tournament – Timberwolf Golf Club,
under the supplier member type of membership with Sudbury
full voting privileges but could not sit as chair. Suppliers • August: Muskoka/Georgian Bay District
now make up a large segment of our membership, over Tournament – details to be announced
40%, and are active participants in all of our events. • September 8: Southwestern Ontario
It has become challenging to find retailers to
participate on the board and as chair. Although District Tournament, Echo Valley Golf
the position does not require a lot of time spent Club, London
on association business (that’s the function of paid
employees) the chair does have overall responsibility
6 LBMAO Reporter - March-April 2022 www.lbmao.on.ca