National PCC Day 2022

On September 22, 2021 with a little over 65 San Antonio and Austin PCC members in attendance National PCC Day is one of our largest events that the Postal Customer Council holds each year. NPCC Day is a place where you can network directly with your local leadership and go straight to the source, along with networking with some of the largest printing companies in town. It is the time and the place where we can educate our members on the newest and latest programs that are launching with the United States Postal Service such as Connect Local. 

As 2021 draws to a close, San Antonio and Austin prepare to get business back on the books and resume face-to-face gatherings in the new year. Planning National Postal Customer Council events can be a challenging job; it requires endless creativity to bring professional events alive and to spice up the experience for your guests. Not to mention, we are often faced with time pressure, budget, and uncertainties.

During the brainstorming session, San Antonio and the Austin PCC team came up with the idea of creating a local street food market experience. Where our members could enjoy a variety of street tacos, nopals, and agua frescas. “We wanted to do something different for the afternoon tea session.” Our food vendor La Olla did not let us down. They brought the authentic flavors, of Mexico to our National PCC Day. 

The Executive Board for San Antonio and Austin PCC went full throttle with the planning of National PCC Day. Each week we help at least two Zoom meetings and serval face-to-face meeting in preparation for the big day. Each member contributed their time, knowledge, and superb ideas to make it all come together. 

The location for National PCC Day was the Villa at Gruene, the halfway point between San Antonio and Austin. The city Gruene is a German town in Comal County in the State of Texas. Originally settled by German farmers in the 1840s, Gruene is now known for food, wine, shopping, seasonal events, and the oldest continuously operating dance hall in the State of Texas. 

Villa at Gruene is an indoor-outdoor venue, where our lunch and vendor sponsor where able to set up their exhibits, banners, and digital visual displays. Networking was in full swing, while our members where able to develop some professional and social contacts.  

Nation PCC day kicked off at 8:30 with Registration and Networking with the Vendor Consultation Booths. Masters of Ceremonies for Industry Co- Chairs, Terrie Reagan and David Ludwick welcomed fellow PCC members with a warm and friendly introduction. 

Postal Co-Chair/San Antonio Postmaster Robert D. Carr introduced our Texas 3, District Manager, Steven Hernandez, where he announced his retirement after 37 years with the United States Postal Service. It was a bittersweet introduction, because it was one of the last events that District Manager, Steven Hernandez would be attending for the Postal Customer Council. Mr. Hernandez brought his knowledge, skills, and experience to the PCC, which will be missed.

Our Guest speaker included, Adam Collinson, Director of Address Intelligence with Grayhair Software, LLC. His topic of discussion, Address Quality-Reducing Undeliverable Mail. Adam is considered one of the postal industry’s leading experts on all aspects of address hygiene and data quality services. For over two decades he has brought this intricate knowledge of how these services can enhance the postal and business operations of some of the largest operations in the country. 

Glen Swyers, Director of Marketing Integration with The IMAGINE Group, presenting Academic Outreach/New Postcard Changes. Glen is honored to be the PCC Industry Co-Chair for the Greater Charlotte PCC, the Industry Co-Chair for the PCCAC Education Sub-Committee, and represents AP Tech on the MTAC.

Stephanie Gonzales, Integrated Operations Plan Specialist, Texas 3, USPS.

Offering her knowledge on Connect Local the newly launched piolet program:

A bold approach to growth, innovation and continued relevance that can generate up to $24 Billion in new revenue. It is Same Day and Next Day options depending on the critical entry time, Customers will drop shipments between 5:00am-7:00am for Same Day delivery - if available in your facility. Packages dropped by customers will be destined for zip codes serviced by that office and customers will conduct business at the Back Dock not the Retail Counter. 

Priscilla Brown, Manager, BMEU, Texas3 United States Postal Service, to discuss our August 2021 Price Changes. Our event continued with our PMG Keynote Address, PCC Awards and Recognition, 30 door prizes and the closing remarks, by Customer Relations Coordinators, Christina Moreno, San Antonio and Amber Evans, Austin PCC.

National PCC day went off without a hitch. It was one of the finest events that Austin and San Antonio have collaborated on thus far. We look forward to topping this year’s event next year. Inconclusion San Antonio PCC gain 4 new PCC members.