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.
“Our thanks to everyone who has worked so hard in the past to
establish the mailorder gardening conferences. Each time Leon and
I have participated in these conferences we return home overwhelmed
and excited about the new ventures to explore and business relationships
we have developed.
At the Baltimore Conference in January we had the opportunity to attend the presentation
by Patti Moreno of Garden Girl TV. This spring Leon traveled to Boston and met
up with Patti and her production crew to produce a series of videos on drip irrigation
systems. We are pleased to announce that the first video: Drip Irrigation for
Container Gardening was introduced in an email on June 16th and has since experienced
over 6700 views on YouTube. There will be a series in the near future on Drip
Irrigation for Raised Beds.
When we all get together the opportunities are endless.”
Lisa Montez
DripWorks Marketing (800) 522-3747
“We owe thanks to the MGA for introducing us to Paul James, a speaker
at the MGA Summer Conference in Providence.
Paul James and the Gardening by
the Yard crew recently stopped by our farm to learn a little more about our
flower bulbs and harvesting methods. The episode titled, "Flower
Bulbs, Fruitful Landscape, Driveway Dividers” is scheduled to
air Sunday (July 12th, 2009) at 7:30 am. Check your local listings and then
check us out! We had a wonderful time showing Paul around, and he seemed to
enjoy himself too… especially
when he was able to take home an armful of fresh cut tulips – direct
from the grower!”
Polly Welch
Tulips.com
“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
“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
“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
"I attended my first MGA conference this past January in Baltimore. What an exceptional group! I've attended many trade shows over the years and was genuinely surprised that the praise for the MGA from MGA members is not just hype. Each participant went out of her way to be helpful and make me feel welcome and included. Whether you are just a beginner to the Hort Industry or a seasoned professional, joining MGA gives great value. Members are warm, professional and intelligent. Seminars were well presented and informative. Throughout the conference there was lots of humour, lots of marketing innovation and a very positive attitude.
I recommend the MGA wholeheartedly. You'll gain insights, contacts and friendships.
These people are for real.
I invite you to contact me."
“We owe thanks to the MGA for introducing us to Paul James, a speaker
at the MGA Summer Conference in Providence.