Rey Chavez, President/CEO, San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA), highlighted the associations mission and accomplishments for 2021 at SAMA’s Award and Recognition Luncheon on January 4, 2022, and the San Antonio Country Club. He stated for 108 Years, SAMA has been and will continue to be the voice and advocate for its members and the manufacturing industry at large.
Commenting that 2021 was better than 2020, he noted the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, SAMA started out slow to ensure the safety and health of our members, our executive leadership, and our staff. Despite the slow start, SAMA finished the year on a high note and reviewed the successful accomplishments of 2021:
- 16th Annual Employment Law Webinar
- Increased Social Media Announcements with videos testimonials
- Manufacturing Supervisor, and Lean Certification Program Webinars by TMAC
- Increased Collaboration Efforts w/ Chambers & Trade Associations
- With San Antonio Business Coalition – Won Appeal for SA PSL Injunction
- First In-person Spring Fling Golf Tournament
- First Ever Virtual Trade Show & Conference
- Started Planning for First “In-Person” Trade Show & Conference for 2022
- Continued Workforce Development Program Plans w/ Greater SATX, SA Works, Alamo Academies, TXFame/FAST, Bexar County, Alamo Colleges, and the City of San Antonio
- Increased Support of CPS Energy and SAWS to ensure fair and equitable utility rates and cost of service
- Filled Open Committee Chair Positions for Education and Governmental Affairs
- Second Virtual Manufacturing Day w/ Four Manufacturers
- Highly Successful Annual Fall Golf Tournament
- Two-day Environmental Webinar
- Expanded Peer Groups with IT and Operations Manager Groups
Rey also highlighted there were a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination with the SAMA staff and executive leadership to ensure SAMA operations never faltered. Additionally, SAMA had continuous monitoring of issues and concerns, at all levels of government, were done to ensure our industry’s interest were never impacted.
Looking towards 2022, Rey stated we will still be the voice and advocate for our members and our vision to have a prosperous year will include:
- Priority goals to increase and retain members, our #1 priority. Next, finalize plan and execute SAMA’s first in a while “in-person” trade show & conference, our #2 priority. We are also going to focus on workforce development initiatives and supply chain issues in an effort to help small and medium size manufacturers
- Implement a New HR Peer Group
- Assist Officers, Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and Members with 2022/23 Strategic Planning
- Coordinate Manufacturer Needs to Include Workforce Development Training Programs & Supply Chain requirements
- Increase In-person Events, following COVID-19 Prevention Protocols
- Increase In-Person Meetings (Committees and Board of Directors)
- Support Certification Program Webinars & Seminars with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC)
- Continue Governmental Affairs Collaboration w/ Chambers, Trade Associations & Elected Officials
- Increase Support of CPS Energy and SAWS
- Encourage Governmental Affairs Involvement by Members, especially during an election year
- Continue to ensure rules and regulations, at all governmental levels, are more business friendly and utility rates are fair and equitable
- Maintain SAMA Operations & Staff
- Selection of New SAMA President/CEO
He also remarked our industry in the state is doing great according with the December Texas Manufacturer Outlook Survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The production index, a key measure on manufacturing conditions, held steady at 26.7% – any sum above zero signals expansion. Despite on and off setbacks with Covid, and slow start of 2021, make no doubt about it, SAMA will be as busy as ever to take care of its members while continuing to be our industry’s voice and advocate going into 2022.
Rey wrapped up the Awards and Recognition Luncheon by saying thank you to all the members, partners, government entities, and especially the volunteers and staff, for making their SAMA a premier organization.
