NAMA LEADER'S MESSAGE.

Welcome to Spring! I hope all of you that attended the conference in Denver found it as enjoyable and valuable as I did. The educational sessions were tremendous. The speakers did an excellent job of discussing the current issues concerning agri-marketers. For those of you who did not make it, please take some time to read about the conference in the next issue of National NAMA News so you also get the value of the speakers and sessions. If you did not attend, please make plans for Nashville in 2002. It will be worth your time.

The conference was the second year into planning and organizing in a track format for emphasis on the area that you are most wanting professional development and exposure. This track concept - focusing on Marketing Communications, Public Relations, Product/ Species Management, and Sales - is just one way that the commitment to member value comes shining through.

Why so much talk on member value? Member value has been the mantra for past National President Jill Greene, and is for the current NAMA President Marjory Walker. It is also the key area that I will focus on as president-elect for the organization. It was identified early on that member value is key to the success and vitality of this organization. Member value drives membership satisfaction and membership growth. Satisfied members invite others to join. New members make the organization dynamic. The more dynamic the organization, the more value we will all receive.

Since member value is very individual, it is a challenge to deliver it to all members. This is a challenge that we must take on and embrace. Embrace it we have. It is the core focus of the national office, the Executive Committee and the leaders across North America.

I challenge all of you to help make this organization stronger and deliver the highest level of member value possible by doing three things:

1. Let us know what you want from the organization. Tell your local leadership, your regional directors, the members of the Executive Committee or the national office. We want to hear from you.

2. Invite a new member to join you at a local, regional or national activity. Find out what they are looking for and share that with us.

3. Be involved. Your involvement is key to you getting the most value you can from NAMA.

Here's looking to a great year for NAMA. As Marjory put it ..." There is great value in being a NAMA member". Spread the word and watch us grow."