UPFDA focuses on the future

PHOTO: UPFDA

In March, the United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association (UPFDA) embarked on a strategic planning process that continues today. Led by Jacqueline Angulo, VP of San Juan, P.R.-based Superior Angran, a committee has gathered regularly to work with consultant Mark DiNunzio, president of MarketPoint Solutions, Alpharetta, Ga., to develop a strategic plan.

The committee has completed the first phase of the three-phase process: The creation of vision and mission statements, as well as the objectives and strategies to support them. The results will be presented to the UPFDA board of directors at a meeting later this month.

MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

One aspect of the new plan is the strategic growth of membership. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of membership in UPFDA, an organization specifically for the suppliers to the pest management industry, please visit UPFDA.com.

In April, UPFDA presented the 2021 Virtual Spring Conference, where we gladly gathered on Zoom with more than 50 members to listen, learn and network. (Editor’s Note: Please see the June 2021 issue for coverage of this meeting.) While face-to-face conferences bring a special closeness that we all miss, this virtual conference was still a wonderful way to connect with colleagues. Our speaker lineup was designed to support our members as the business world emerges from the pandemic.

The executive staff has been working to update member profiles in preparation for the publication of the 2021 Member Directory, which should be available later this month. As a special incentive, we randomly chose six lucky members to receive a special logo thermal water bottle from UPFDA:

• Art Assad, Agrisel USA
• Andrej Branc, PelGar
• Mike Goldstein, Woodstream Corp.
• Rob Jennings, Container Manufacturing Inc.
• Andy Linares, Bug Off Pest Control Center
• Steve Racioppe, Geotech Supply

LOOKING AHEAD

We’re past the midway point of 2021, and what has changed since the beginning of the year? With the widespread availability and distribution of vaccines, the country is opening up and getting back to work as usual. What this means for many of our members who rely on personal interactions is they have begun traveling to meet with customers in person again. As an association within an industry that has flourished in the past year, we are so fortunate that the next big thing on our organization’s to-do list is to get back together in person with our members at PestWorld in
Las Vegas, Nev. Our meeting and reception at PestWorld are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. We encourage all of our members to put this on their PestWorld calendar, because we can’t wait to see you all again!

A final point to report on is the planning of the in-person 2022 UPFDA Spring Conference. Having canceled this conference in 2020, and produced a virtual conference in 2021, UPFDA is itching to be back together for our premier annual event. At press time, we are reaching out to our members with a survey so we can gather their thoughts on how to make the event bigger and better than ever.