There are some real changes happening as the new NAHSA adapts to the needs of our members! At the 2009 Annual Meeting, held this past June, members voted to allow Manufacturer Members full voting and board participation rights. As NAHSA is the only national association dedicated to our business segment, it was important that all members have an equal voice.
We heard some excellent presentations this year. Kicking things off was Keynote Speaker, Dr. Lowell Catlett. He was able to explain many of the complex economic situations in an understandable way, as well as, point out many important indicators that the press seems unwilling to report. Over all, Dr. Catlett believes our industry is in the right place to capitalize on society’s need to return to nature as the Baby Boomers retire and the X and Y generations mature.
NAHSA Member, Dr. Charlie Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M, opened our eyes to the hidden signs of a customer in distress. What a great advantage we now have as we look at granting credit and evaluating our accounts! His marketing and sales data that focused on prospering companies in this economy will also help us all partnership with our own customers and help them become stronger and more profitable. Check out his presentation to catch up with what NAHSA members already know!
The sessions by Randy Musselwhite on Financing and Dr. Fred Hulme and Rodd Moesel on Sustainability and Legislation were also extremely important and timely. A special note, if you are not aware of the Waxman-Markey Climate legislation currently being rammed through the house you and your customers need to be. This is legislation that has the capability to change the face of greenhouse business!
At the request of the manufacturer community, this year’s Contact Booth Program was split into two sessions with a break. This allowed the Manufacturers to schedule a more compact time period while providing the Distributors time to get around and visit all the Manufacturers. Over all it appeared as if the new format worked out very well.
The weather was hot in Hilton Head and so were the topics. If you need to know more about the meetings content, contact a member that attended or look one up at the upcoming OFA Meeting. Check out the attached information sheet which details which NAHSA Members will be exhibiting at the show. Members will also have a “NAHSA Member” sign in their booths indicating such.
Plan now to join us at our next Annual Meeting in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, June 6-9, 2010.
Sincerely,
Kurt Brace
Commerce Corporation
kbrace@commercecorp.com
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