Onward and Upward:
Empowering Growth at the 2026 National Sales Meeting
Each year, the Handgards National Sales Meeting brings our Sales and Marketing teams together from across the country; each year, it serves as a powerful reminder of who we are, what we stand for, and where we’re going. This year’s theme, Onward and Upward, captures that spirit completely. It reflects our forward momentum as a company as well as the resilience, unity, and shared purpose that characterize our team.
Held once again in our home city of El Paso, Texas, the gathering honored our past while setting our sights firmly on the future. Even as the landscape of foodservice evolves, our commitment remains the same: to innovate boldly, serve with integrity, and rise together – no matter the terrain.
Guided by Core Values
Handgards has always been anchored by a clear set of core values:
Safety first, integrity always
Treat people with dignity and respect
Focus on our customers and build value for our investors
Excellence in all we do
Service before self
This year’s meeting further strengthened these foundations. Every presentation, workshop, and discussion emphasized how these principles guide our work and strengthen our performance – from the customer experience to operational excellence.
Onward and upward isn’t just a theme. It’s a commitment to live these values every day.
Purpose, Direction, and a Shared Climb
The National Sales Meeting serves as our annual compass: aligning our teams, sharpening our strategies, and ensuring we step into each new year with clarity, focus, and unity. This year was no exception.
Through interactive sessions, cross-team collaboration, and insight-driven capability building, we walked away with fresh tools, stronger alignment, and renewed purpose. The goal: to ascend together and drive Handgards toward continued growth in 2026 and beyond.
Just as last year emphasized S.W.A.G. (Stay humble, work hard, and grow together), this year builds on that foundation with the collective mindset of pushing forward – climbing higher, thinking bigger, and reaching further.
Service Before Self: Rising Together to Lift Others
A highlight of this year’s meeting was once again our tradition of giving back. During the short time each year that our entire team is together, we pause to serve our community, a reflection of our value: Service before self.
This year, our team partnered once more with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, a member of Feeding America and a vital resource for families across the borderland region. EPFH distributes food through more than 132 partner pantries and supports over 160,000 food-insecure individuals.
Handgards team members volunteered onsite, helping organize, prepare, and support operations that make an immediate, positive impact on our community. It’s work that grounds us, strengthens us, and reminds us that leadership is not just about where we’re going, but how we lift others along the way.
The Road Ahead
As we take the momentum of NSM 2026 into the months ahead, one thing is clear: our direction is set, our team is unified, and our sights are firmly on the summit.
Onward and upward – together.
