President’s Message: May 2023 – JAG To Honor Some of Its Own

by Bob Duthaler

By now you already know that Thursday, May 18th is the date you should put all things aside and make plans to be at the JAG’s annual conference and vendor day.  If you haven’t done so already, register now at www.jagconference.com .  This is a must attend event if you are a member of JAG, support the organization or utilize any of its benefits.

Did you know that as part of JAG’s conference, the organization recognizes members for their extraordinary workfor either the PEG community or the JAG organization.  This year is no exception.  Throughout the day, JAG will recognize some of its members, community leaders and others in their efforts to support PEG.  It is important that we all gather on that day as both an organization and community to support those who helped support us.  Register now to be part of this at www.jagconference.com.

Join us on Thursday, May 18th at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, NJ and be present at our keynote lunch which will take place in the exhibit hall area, at which we will award our Community Recognition Award.  This goes to a member of a local Municipality/County (Elected or Employed by) that has helped JAG and its mission to support PEG access.  We will recognize some of the local politicians from the Township of New Milford and their efforts to grow their local television station WM77.  We ask that you be on hand as well to congratulate them.  Register now at www.jagconference.com.

There are many organizational members that go above and beyond in their support of JAG and the JAG community.  As part of our Keynote Lunch on Thursday, May 18th we will recognize them.  I will have the honor of presenting the Vendor Appreciation Award during the luncheon.  I urge you to be present at this event and show your appreciation to those who gave back to our organization.  Please join me in thanking them by registering for our conference and being present during our keynote lunch at www.jagconference.com.

Be part of the evening’s activities when JAG continues to recognize the great works of its members during our banquet.  There will be several opportunities for the organization to accomplish this.  We will begin the evening with the JAG Member Recognition Award.  Each year we present it to a member that has contributed to the success of JAG.  I am pleased to announce that this year’s recipient is one of JAG’s founding members, its second president and a board member from the beginning up through 2023.  I ask you to join me to honor Lee Beckerman of the Woodbridge Channels.  To do so, make sure you register now at www.jagconference.com.

The fun will continue when we announce the winners of this year’s JAG Awards.  The awards ceremony will take place during the JAG banquet.  It is truly a great event as we watch clips of the great work our member stations have done during the year, present several stations with the JAG Excellence Award and honor all those that were nominated.  Finally, before the evenings over, as the current President of JAG it will be my honor to present President’s Ovation Awards to a member and/or board member of JAG in acknowledgement of their unrelenting commitment to the members of the Jersey Access Group and the operation of public, education, and government communication facilities.  The only way you can participate in the day’s activities, celebrations and learning experience is to register now for this year’s JAG Conference and Vendor Exhibition – www.jagconference.com.  See you there!