Page 7 - NSA GALA JOURNAL 2022

Samuel Collado
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Good evening and welcome to the 33rd Annual National Supermarket Association Gala. It is a privilege and honor to welcome you to our annual gathering of business partners, friends, and family. I want to thank all who have taken the time to join us in this lovely venue.
As your new President, it is an honor to serve you and a highlight of my professional career to represent you. The NSA, celebrating its 33rd year, is stronger than ever and growing as it performs at its highest level.
As I took the reins from our outstanding past president, I recognized that I stand on the shoulders of many that have come before me, and I humbly honor their remarkable work. As I embark on this new journey as the National Supermarket Association President, I do it with great confidence but also with the realization that, as an industry, we are facing many obstacles that have changed the landscape of our field.
One thing I am sure of is that together with great partners and outstanding members, we will not only overcome these demands but exceed our expectations.
The NSA's mission statement and core values will never change. The legacy that has built this organization will always stand solid. Our DNA of arduous work, honesty, and integrity; always has been and always will be the NSA. We will continue our corporate responsibilities to not only do business in the communities our stores are located in but also give back to those same neighborhoods. We will accomplish this through our Community Outreach Initiatives, such as our scholarship program, our effort to fight hunger, and our yearly initiative to make a societal change. This year NSA Cares is leading efforts to end child trafficking around the globe in partnership with Goya Cares.
Challenged by a pandemic, we understand the world will never be the same. Dealing with wars worldwide further shows that globalization impacts all of us. The local strangling regulations increased crime resulting in a lack of public safety and pending recession impales from local distributors, national brands, and ultimately our customer's kitchen table.
The supply chain disruption and labor interruptions alter everyone's everyday lives, but we will overcome them with strategic planning and optimism.
Our members continue to face the everyday hurdles of higher operational costs and competition. The NSA and its members continue to prioritize the needs of our customers front and center. This is the state that we are currently in, but as I stated earlier, together, we shall not just survive but come out of this brighter and better than ever.
The NSA membership has grown and will continue to expand from our national headquarters to our fast- growing chapters. We are proud of our Southeast and Mid-Atlantic chapters and will continue to BREAK BARRIERS.
I ask our business colleagues to recognize the National Supermarket Association as your partner, the bridge to the other side. We are the gateway to your present and future success. By working together and only together, we will succeed. The one component that, as President, I will not compromise on is demanding fairness. Give us an even playing field.
The Independent Supermarket channel will always be present. Unlike other media that, when presented with difficult times, abandon ship, we will continue to take a stand on never giving up.
I am also prudent enough to know that this effort could not be done alone. I want to thank our board members and office team—for your constant counsel, actions, and selflessness that ensure our prestigious organization thrives. On behalf of our members, I thank you. Words cannot express it enough.
I want to thank my family, without your backing and support, I know this could not be possible.
Enjoy the evening