On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA August-September 2016 | Page 4

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R ’ S M E S S A G E

MARIA UNGARO

SPECIAL ATTENTION FOR
FIRST TIMERS
I am really looking forward to this year’s GWA Conference and Expo. Why?
Because I will get to meet so many of you for the first time. I hope all of you are as
excited as I am to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. This year
we have a few new things to facilitate the “Connect” part of our tagline.

SAY THANK YOU

The GWA Honors Committee has chosen
the following people for their professional
achievements as well as their contributions to
GWA. They will receive their honors on September 20 at the Awards Dinner, which closes the
GWA Conference & Expo in Atlanta. Join us in
congratulating them.
• Hall of Fame:

Debra Prinzing

SAY HELLO
GWA is a very friendly group, and we know
how overwhelming it might be to come to
something like this for the first time. So, if you are
one of our “New-Bees”—a first-time attendee or new GWA member—
we plan to have speed networking at our first-timers session. This will
introduce you to four or five new connections at the start of the session.
We will also have a space called “The Hive” for New-Bees to regroup.
Come and meet me. I am planning to have “office hours” at various
times throughout the Conference and Expo. Stop by just to say hello or to
let me know what you think we could be doing better. Are you more of
an introvert? Find me and we can meet others together while we get to
know each other.

GWA ANNOUNCES
2016 HONOREES

Networking
is not about
collecting
contacts.
Networking
is about
planting
relationships.

We hope everyone will make a special effort to thank our sponsors
and exhibitors. Without their support, this event would not be what
you see. We encourage you to try and stop by every booth and pick up
their materials. You never know where inspiration will strike; you may
walk away with a new story idea or some new business.
Remember to let us know when you write about the products you saw
or heard about at the Expo. We want to help you amplify your work, so we
will share the news throughout our networks.
During the learning sessions, ask questions. The future belongs to the curious. Make a point of sitting
next to someone new each time you get on a tour bus.

TAKE TIME
Don’t limit your network. It doesn’t matter if someone is inside or outside of your sphere, if they are
interesting, be willing to commit time and/or resources to meet, connect or help that person. Sometimes
individuals completely outside your immediate circle end up helping propel you forward at a crucial
junction.
Many of our members credit the GWA Conference connections they’ve made for new business
opportunities or resources when working on a story.
The Sheraton has lots of nooks and crannies for members to have impromptu “Connect” meetings
with one another. Be sure to take advantage of every opportunity.
Can’t wait to see you in Atlanta!

• Fellow:

Renee Shepherd
• Wilfred J. Jung Distinguished
Service Medal:

Dramm Corporation
• Honorary Member:

Will Raap

• Emergent Communicator:

Katie Dubow

Members of the Honors Committee are:
Brienne Gluvna Arthur, Stephanie Cohen,
Denise Cowie, Sally Ferguson, Steven Maurer
and Chairwoman Irene Virag. Maria Ungaro and
Ashley Sullivan assisted in the process.
For more information about GWA Honors,
please visit gardenwriters.org.

UPCOMING GWA EVENTS
Connect: All-America Selections & National
Garden Bureau Summer Summit
August 24-26 • Madison, Wisconsin
Connect Meeting:
Thursday, Aug. 25, 10:15 am. to 3 p.m.

Connect (& More): Farwest 2016

August 25-27 • Portland, Oregon
Connect Meeting:
Friday, Aug. 26, 5 to 6 p.m.

2016 GWA Annual Conference & Expo

September 16–20 • Atlanta, Georgia
SAVE THE DATE:

2017 GWA Annual Conference & Expo

August 4-7, 2017 • Buffalo, New York

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