Dear SIGMA Community,
Happy New Year to all of you! SIGMA just wrapped up a great 2025! We capped off the year with our amazing Annual Conference in Nashville. More than 850 people attended – SIGMA’s largest Annual Conference ever. We had an incredible line up of speakers – including Josef Newgarden, the 2x back to back Indy 500 winner who I got to interview.
Now, anyone who knows me very well knows that I would be far more comfortable interviewing someone from film or the theater, but even I was surprised at how easily our conversation went. This is a young man who has achieved so much at such an early age. He got there by listening closely to a select group of mentors who instilled in him not only a keen sense of competition, but also the ability to pivot quickly when the going got rough. You look at a guy like him – he looks like a movie star – and think, what could ever be hard for him? Lots, it turns out.
What Josef had to say was inspiring for our members who also have to face challenges on a regular basis and pivot quickly when necessary. Thank you, Josef, for a memorable time on the main stage.
In addition to Josef, there were a host of other memorable speakers. I was thrilled that so many members, both veterans and newcomers, have noticed how dynamic SIGMA’s education has become. We have such exciting plans in place for next year – our first meeting is our Winter meeting in Steamboat Springs, CO, February 2-3. The format for this – as many of you know – is compacted education (two morning sessions) with a single speaker.
This year, the speaker is someone I have known for quite some time – Alex Aberle who is going to present “Leading for Longevity: Neuroscience, People Strategy and Retention in a Changing Workforce.“
Let me tell you a little bit about Alex. Those of you that have been reading this column for a while know that I often get personal about some of the things that have affected me both professionally and personally. Let me share that about six years ago, I was having a really tough time. I was trying to figure “what I wanted to be when I grew up.” I was at a crossroads – I couldn’t seem to get past the “road blocks” that stood in my way. After working closely with Alex, I saw past the things I thought I couldn’t change and made some critical advancements in my personal journey.
A friend recommended that I contact Alex and when I did, it changed my life. Alex is the real deal – someone who understand personalities, corporate cultures, and how to move everything forward. She literally changed my life, and that’s why I have asked her to be our speaker at the Winter meeting. There is so much involved in creating cultures and leaders that will convey the company’s mission all the way from the top of the company to the lower parts. What Alex is going to convey at this meeting is something that you will absolutely take back to your business.
Everyone – this is the real deal. I hope I see many of you at Winter for what is going to be an amazing two days of vital education. Here’s how to get more information and register:
https://events.rdmobile.com/Events/Details/19378
When I get to talk to you again in a couple of months, I’ll have some more updates on our program for the Spring meeting April 28 – 30 at the Ritz Carlton at Las Colinas, right outside Dallas. I’d also like as many members as possible to bookmark these dates for our Summer Legislative meeting in Washington, D.C. – July 21 – 22. Attendance is critical for our marketers. Don’t think that the legislative landscape won’t heat up – we have mid term elections coming up. Getting in front of your representatives in Congress is crucial for the issues that we advocate for.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Scott BerhangCEO, SIGMA
