NENA recently conducted an electronic survey to gain member feedback and assist the board of directors as they continue to move the organization forward.  The survey received a 25% response rate and highlights follow:

· Connecticut and Massachusetts tied with the highest number of respondents.  Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont followed respectively.

· The majority of respondents were owners of wholesale nurseries or garden centers with 20 to 30 years of experience.

· There was a three-way tie for the number of employees query.  Responses were equally divided among 1-10, 11-25 and 50+ employees per organization.

· Total average gross sales for 2007 landed in the $1 million to $3 million range.

· Peer interaction, industry meetings, association membership, and the Internet were cited as the top four resources for information needed to run a nursery business in New England.

· "Opportunities to meet and network informally" was cited as the most valuable NENA membership opportunity, followed by the Economic Impact Study, an upgraded website, and State Association Leaders meetings.

Survey participants also took time to give their suggestions as to ways that NENA could provide additional value to its members.  The board of directors carefully reviewed all comments and integrated these suggestions into their discussions.

Member feedback is always welcome.  Please feel free to contact NENA via e-mail at info@NEnsyAssn.org or phone (508) 653-3112.  You may also contact any NENA board member.  Contact information is listed on the masthead of this, and every, issue of the NENA newsletter.

 

 

 

Current and future leaders of New England's nursery and landscape associations will gather on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 for the Volunteer Leaders Summit.  Hosted by NENA, this new opportunity will expand on the popular annual state association meeting. Volunteer leaders will actively engage in strategic thinking about their association and the role they play in the prosperity of their members and the green industry, as a whole.

"We are hoping for a number of positive outcomes from NENA's new Volunteer Leaders Summit," said NENA president Leslie van Berkum.  "Building relationships, fostering collaboration, and promoting prosperity among New England's green industry associations are the primary goals of this important gathering."

New England state associations are encouraged to send members of their current board of directors, as well as others they have identified as emerging volunteer leaders to the November 5, 2008 meeting.  The Volunteer Leaders Summit is hosted by NENA with support from New England Grows.  For more information, contact the NENA office at (508) 653-3112 or info@NEnsyAssn.org.

· Rich Educational Content
· Leading Industry Speakers
· Expanded Exposition Hours

Next February at the Northeast's premier green industry conference, the brightest minds in the green industry will address the topics every green industry professional needs to know to succeed, including the latest trends, techniques, and technology.

Among established and emerging nursery and landscape industry luminaries speaking at New England Grows 2009 are: John Kinsella of Urban Outfitters/Terrain in Philadelphia, PA; Lynden Miller of Lynden B. Miller Public Garden Design in New York; Christy Webber of Christy Webber Landscapes in Chicago, IL; and Allan Armitage of the University of Georgia.

"New England Grows' educational conference and exhibits offer trend setting information that will have an immediate impact on your business," said New England Grows president Michelle Harvey, MCH, MCLP of Lakeview Nurseries in Lunenburg, Mass. "We have the people, the products, and the resources that green industry leaders and decision-makers need to thrive in today's economy."

The educational conference and exposition will be held from Wednesday, February 4 through Friday, February 6, 2009 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Special "Master Class" sessions on Wednesday incorporate unique information for seasoned green industry professionals. In all, 30 groundbreaking sessions are offered, many of which are approved for CEU credit. Full program details will be available in September 2008 and expanded expo hours for 2009 are as follows:

    2009 Expo Hours
    Wednesday, February 4     12:00 noon  - 5:00 p.m.
    Thursday, February 5        8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    Friday, February 6            8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
   
Named among the fastest 50 growing tradeshows in North America by Tradeshow Week for two years running, New England Grows is an educational partnership between the New England Nursery Association, Associated Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Arborists Association, Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association, and its network includes more than 30 allied green industry organizations.

For details, please refer to www.NEGrows.org or call (508) 653-3009. For more information on a limited number of sponsor and exhibitor opportunities, please contact Diane Zinck at dzinck@NEGrows.org.