Why Should You Join the Mailorder Gardening Association?
Here's what current Mailorder Gardening Association (MGA) members say about the many benefits of joining and participating in the MGA.
“Park Seed has been a member of MGA since the 1960s when the organization was called the Mailorder Association of Nurserymen. We have been active in the association for so long because we have found our membership to be very valuable, both for the education and training in direct marketing that we receive and for keeping current in the changes in the gardening industry.
“One of the most enjoyable as well as educational benefits of MGA membership is networking with the other members-- sharing ideas, experiences, and even advice on business matters. The MGA is a remarkably open and friendly group. Anyone in the direct marketing segment of the gardening industry would benefit from active participation in this wonderful organization!”
Karen Park Jennings,
Park Seed,
(864) 941-4204
“When we started our gardening business in 1983, the mailorder gardening market was very different in terms of companies, trends, customer demographics, and sales and marketing opportunities. Some parts of the market have grown, some contracted, but change and the need to adjust to it has been a primary market challenge over these past two decades. And I expect this reality will be even more present in the decade ahead. Throughout these changes and going forward into the future, I can rely on the MGA—through its meetings, members and publications—to help give Gardener’s Supply the needed perspective to successfully change and adapt.”
Will Raap,
Founder and CEO,
Gardener’s Supply,
(802) 660-3500
“My company joined the MGA because we were entering both the garden product market and the mailorder field for the first time. We were hoping to gain knowledge about the industry, to explore our opportunities and to make some contacts.
“Our expectations have been totally surpassed. The MGA is an unusual professional organization in that members reflect the attitude that helping any of the companies grow and improve will be healthy for the entire industry. As a result, a member can find advice in almost any area of interest.”
Jim Steiner,
Mailorder Manager,
Presidio Garden Products,
(914) 723-0000
“The Mailorder Gardening Association has helped us in a wide variety of ways. The MGA Green Thumb Awards program gives you a chance to show the industry and the gardening public that you’re introducing innovative new plants and products. I’m proud to say that over the years, we’ve won eight MGA Green Thumb Awards and that recognition has helped create a national reputation for High Country Gardens.
“We’re still a small company, so our MGA membership has also helped us in several practical ways. For example, we get quite a bit of traffic to our website as a direct result of the link from the MGA’s website. The “Secret Shopper” program helped us measure the effectiveness of our catalog request fulfillment time.
“The MGA has enabled us to stay ahead of the curve in many areas. It’s been one of the best investments we’ve ever made.”
Ava Salman,
Marketing Director,
High Country Gardens,
(505) 428-7374
“We have been growing onion plants since 1913, but due to the oil crisis of the late 1980s, we saw that the distribution system was breaking down. There were no longer the peddlers out there buying our product and delivering it to feed stores and small lawn and garden centers. So, our mailorder company was started to deal directly with the customers that didn’t mind paying a little more for a superior product.
“I attended my first MGA meeting in the summer of 1993, and I was anxious to make my pitch to all the catalogers that were there. I quickly realized that this was not the crowd to give a hard sell. Then, one Friday night we all went country-western dancing and roping calves. After making a complete fool out of myself but having my usual great time, the next morning I had four companies come up to me at breakfast and tell me they wanted to carry my product in their catalog.
“I had no idea what to do in the mailorder business, but the MGA provided me with all the experts and friendly associates that anyone would need to get going.”
Bruce Frasier,
President,
Dixondale Farms,
(877) 367-1015
“I want to let you know how valuable I thought the MGA convention was. We are members of the PPA (Perennial Plant Association) and I personally own an Internet franchise business (T.E.A.M.). The MGA group is PPA and T.E.A.M. rolled into one. It is the “family/close friendship/old home week” feel of PPA with the support and help of my franchise developers business in T.E.A.M., who are big into personal and leadership development. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The veteran members went out of their way to make me feel at home and very comfortable!
“I am looking forward to January’s conference in Chicago!”
Jay Hutchins,
General Manager,
Brent and Becky's Bulbs,
(804) 693-3966
“My biggest mistake with the MGA was not following through 10 or 12 years ago when I was first invited to join. Had I done so then, we'd be much further ahead now.”
“We’ve attended the last five MGA conventions and now I believe we can’t afford not to attend. We can’t afford to miss that good idea from that great speaker on that cutting-edge topic that will save us thousands of dollars and make us more successful and secure in our family business.”
“Our membership in MGA doesn’t cost, it pays.”
Jim Gerritsen,
Owner,
Wood Prairie Farm,
(207) 425-7741
“I’ve been attending and participating in the MGA since 1986. The members include experts and beginners in the field of mailorder gardening and direct response. We share and learn from each other. The meetings and information gained are both valuable and enjoyable.”
Howard Kaplan,
Production Manager,
Mantis,
(215) 357-5110
“Corrugated Plas-Tech, also known as The Greenhouse Catalog, has profited in many ways from our association with MGA. In the past three years our General Manager, Michelle Moore, and our Marketing Manager, Michelle Torres, have been attending the workshops and meetings. They have brought back so many positive ideas on the topics of motivation, catalog production, website production, and lead generation—just to name a few. Every catalog we’ve printed since their first MGA conference has improved and has made us more visible in the marketplace. Our website has greatly expanded because of direct information they have obtained from the MGA. The knowledge they’ve gained is moving us to a higher level in every way.
While our company has benefited from the raw knowledge our two Michelles have gained, the networking from talking to and getting to know others in the industry has been equally valuable. Every time they return from conference, they have expanded their circle of friends, teachers, and mentors. This has influenced our company’s growth in the marketplace both in measurable and subtle ways.”
Beverly Perry,
President,
The Greenhouse Catalog/Solexx Greenhouses,
(800) 825-1925
