Chair of the Board Message: 2025 Q4

A few thoughts as an eventful 2025 draws to a close:

• To the extent that 2025 served as a legislative wake-up call to our industry, we are certainly wide awake now.  The CSSA is more prepared than ever to anticipate and navigate any challenges that may percolate up in Sacramento, having established a strong coalition with the SSA, political action groups and lobbyists, and having recently engaged an especially powerful lobbying firm as our new partner.  We’re ready!
• 2025 proved to be our most successful year yet at the CSSA, with record-breaking attendance at our marquee Newport and Napa events.  Mark your calendars and reserve your spot early, as you won’t want to miss these amazing opportunities to network and hear from our top industry thought leaders in 2026.  Join us!
• Pay close attention as well to our comprehensive offering throughout the year of informational and educational events to keep our membership plugged in and up to date on a continually evolving legal and business landscape.  Make yourself aware of the many resources that the CSSA offers.  Have you turned to the CSSA in order to update your California lease to be compliant with the new SB709 requirements?  Take advantage!
• To cap off a very busy year, my holiday plan is to do nothing except roll on the floor with my two sets of grandkids (pictured below).  Enjoy!  
• Last, it’s genuinely been an honor to serve our membership as Chair this past year.  I’m very much looking forward to continuing to participate on our Board and working closely together with a talented and committed slate of fellow Directors, including our new Chair, Nathan McElmurry.  Thank you!

Cheers,

Gary Sugarman