Under New Management
June 19, 2008 
Last fall, the National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) contracted with Calabrese Management, an organizational management firm based in Harrisburg, Pa. After 10 years with its previous executive director, Melanie Hughes of Hughes & Stuart Marketing in Littleton, Colo., NGMA is sure to go through some changes.
NGMA’s new executive director, Denise R. Calabrese, owner of Calabrese Management, says her firm’s goal is to work with the volunteer leadership to strengthen NGMA as an organization.
“We will be working with the board of directors to analyze existing programs and ensure that the needs of the industry are met,” she says.
Some of these more imminent improvements, she adds, will be in the organization’s communication structure–improving NGMA’s Web site and newsletter, and increasing electronic communications.
On the educational side, NGMA’s meeting agendas will be strengthened to provide valuable information to the industry, Calabrese says. For instance, the annual meeting NGMA hosts each spring will provide more educational opportunities for attendees while continuing to offer networking and social events.
As with every industry, the U.S. greenhouse industry is continually changing and becoming more of an international market. Some of the issues that affect greenhouse growers and manufacturers are making national headlines–such as immigration reform and government regulation. Industry associations provide leadership in such situations, which is one area in which Calabrese says her company will work with the NGMA board of directors.
“There are numerous issues affecting any industry today, including regulatory oversight, legislation, global marketing and competition,” she says. “We will work with the board of directors to revise our work plan each year to address emerging needs of the industry and to discuss how the organization can help its members. This flexibility in planning allows us to provide direction to the volunteers of the organization in a way that ultimately helps the general membership and the industry at large.”
Calabrese Management took over management of NGMA after its fall meeting in October 2006. The company also manages the Pennsylvania Floral Industry Association, the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, among others.
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