GHTA Confirms New Board at Successful 2012 Conference
The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), whose mission is to support, lead, and unify the gift and home industry, focusing on its long term success, confirmed its 2012-2013 Board of Directors during the 10th Annual GHTA Conference, held October 2-4 in Orlando, Florida.
The GHTA’s executive board is as follows: Julie Dix of Justa Bout Any Thangoes, chairman of the board; John Keiser of OneCoast, president; Bob Watson Jr. of Annalee Dolls, vice president; Todd Litzman of Brandwise, treasurer; and Cindy Henry of Wellspring, secretary.
Additionally, the GHTA has added several new members to its board, each of whom bring a wealth of talent and experience to the organization: Fred Schmidt of All for Color, Bob Ricciardi of About Face Designs, Randy Spoor of Center Stage, Lisa Wohlhart of Ivystone, Allison Barrows of Ganz, and Kim Pounds of Next Generation. Continuing their board terms are Steve Papevies of Southern Accents Today and Joe Harris of Whereoware. George Kacic of Ganz and Mary Liz Curtin of Leon & Lulu will continue in their roles as ex-officio members. Andy Bjork of Ivystone will act as parliamentarian.
All GHTA board members are chosen using a nomination and interview process. The members of the GHTA then vote to confirm each member at the annual GHTA conference.
“I am thrilled to be working with such a strong group of industry executives that are committed to working hard to improve our association and to contribute to our industry,” said John Keiser, newly elected president of the GHTA. “The Board is undertaking many initiatives this year and is already making progress on the “BIG Idea,” an item discussed at the conference on which more information will be available soon.”
The GHTA enjoyed a successful conference in Orlando, held at the Walt Disney Swan Resort. On Tuesday, October 2, conference attendees participated in one of two “Give Back” initiatives: a golf outing to support Gift for Life at Falcon Fire Golf Club or a volunteer opportunity at “Give Kids the World,” a 70-acres village where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. Attendees raced through Walt Disney’s Epcot on Wednesday, October 3. The “race,” organized by the Disney Institute, encouraged teamwork and honed communications skills.
Bridget Brennan, author of Why She Buys, and Mark Timm, president of Cottage Garden, were the two speakers who addressed conference attendees. Brennan spoke concerning the importance of marketing to women, while Timm encouraged members of the gift and home industries to work together to “create a bigger pie” instead of “competing for the same slice of pie.”
“Bob Watson and the entire Conference Committee worked hard to create an agenda that had something for everyone,” noted Keiser. “And, based on the survey responses, it was a great success. I can’t wait for the 2013 Conference, which is already in the planning stages.”
To learn more about the Gift and Home Trade Association, please call 877.600.4872 or visit www.giftandhome.org.
About the Gift and Home Trade Association:
GHTA is the gift and home industry’s non-profit professional trade association formed to help vendors, sales agencies and industry affiliates work together to improve relationships. GHTA’s mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA has four major initiatives: to educate sales professionals; to understand and educate the industry on opportunities for technological efficiencies; to support and cultivate the industry’s independent retailers; and to understand and educate the industry on showroom/trade show costs, statistics, schedules, opportunities and preferences. GHTA can be reached by email at info@giftandhome.org. or more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit www.giftandhome.org.
