One of the biggest and most enjoyable events on the ABBA and AJBA calendar is just around the corner: the 2025 AJBA All American. Here in the office, we’ve been working diligently to assist the AJBA—keep our membership informed and take care of every detail we can think of to ensure our exhibitors, families, and supporters have an enjoyable, memorable experience.

But let’s be honest—pulling off an event like the All American doesn’t happen with a single person or even a single committee. It takes a village. And as I sit here running through our checklist, I’m reminded of just how many amazing, giving people it takes to make this happen. From our incredible Junior Board and dedicated Youth Activities Committee, to the parents, volunteers, and—yes, especially—our sponsors.

I want to take a moment and reflect specifically on the sponsors.

Many times, people approach me about contributing to a show or donating an award, and like many of you, I usually say yes. But if we’re being honest, sometimes those asks can feel like one more obligation in a busy season. However, just recently, as I reviewed the long list of generous sponsors supporting this year’s All American, something struck me on a deeper level. I paused—not just to see the logos or the dollar amounts—but to think about the real impact of those contributions.

Sponsorship, at its core, is more than financial support. It’s belief in a program. It’s investment in the future. It’s someone raising their hand to say, “I care about these kids. I believe in what this organization stands for. And I want to help make it happen.”

Every banner, every buckle, every scholarship awarded at the All American is made possible by someone who chose to give—not just from their wallet, but from their heart. That support allows us to host a national-caliber event that leaves an imprint on young people for a lifetime. For many AJBA members, the All American is where they develop confidence, sportsmanship, leadership, and life-long friendships.

And as someone who has raised daughters in a youth breed cattle program, shown cattle across the country, and judged in almost every state, I can tell you: those experiences matter. They shape young people into responsible, resilient adults who come back and give back. That ripple effect is something every sponsor can be proud to be part of.

In fact, that’s part of our greater mission—to cultivate youth members into impactful adult members. These young people aren’t just showing Brahman cattle—they’re learning how to lead, how to serve, and how to represent our breed and industry. And in doing so, they’re growing into the next generation of ABBA leaders. Sponsorship plays a direct role in that transformation.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve sponsored in the past, thank you. If you’re considering it this year or in the future, know this: your support makes a difference. Not just in the ring, but in the lives and futures of our junior members—and by extension, in the future of the American Brahman Breeders Association.

Here’s to a great 2025 All American—and to all those who help make it possible.

With gratitude,
Paul Maulsby
Executive Vice President
American Brahman Breeders Association