Gardner-PMPA Partnership Continues to Reap Dividends

In 2019, then PMPA president, Mike Reader, wrote, “Your PMPA Executive team has a vision that advances the interests and deliverables available for our members through collaboration and progress with our long-time partner, Gardner Business Media.” 

At that time, the PMPA viewed an opportunity with Gardner, its long-time partner on the successful PMTS event, to combine forces. From the start, both organizations held the idea “Better Together” as the pillar that would uphold their partnership to strengthen the industry.

At the June 2022 board of directors meeting, the PMPA board and finance committee extended the contract, citing the success of this relationship.

Together, with the Gardner Business Media team, our PMPA leadership team, consisting of Cate Smith with Miles Free, Renee Merker, and Carli Kistler Miller, have implemented multiple changes and enhancements, including:

• Improved budgeting process
• Revitalized chapter growth
• Creation of sustainable membership marketing efforts
• Enhanced membership services

Starting the relationship right before the pandemic proved to be fortuitous. Upon launch of the partnership, Gardner had outfitted the PMPA team with modern IT systems and tools, which enabled them to seamlessly transition to the “new normal” that the pandemic brought to all of us.

Modernization also delivered new tools for member communications such as:

• The “Technical Tuesday” webinar series

• Enhanced social media postings
• The “PMPA Speaking of Precision” podcast
• The “Final Cut of the Week” video series
• PMPA website upgrade

In 2021, under the direction of Miles and Carli, the PMPA launched the Mastery Program to help manufacturers better diagnose ongoing issues with their supply chain. By giving leaders insight into suppliers, they are more likely to identify the root cause of those issues, whether the fault of the supplier or their own internal processes.

The Mastery Program kicked off at PMTS in 2021 with a bus filled with PMPA Manufacturing Members that toured 16 different plants and facilities in the precision machining supply chain. This unique program was recently recognized with a Gold Circle Award from the American Society of Association Executives. PMPA was one of only 12 associations nationwide to be honored with a prestigious Gold Circle award. Planning is already underway for the 2022-2023 program. 

Work has also been afoot to build the bridge that connects the PMPA Foundation to the PMPA organization. When and where a shared vision is realized, both organizations working together will strengthen our industry. Look forward to more information about collaboration between the PMPA Foundation and the PMPA.

The fall of 2021 enabled a welcomed focus on in-person chapter events. Spring of 2022 included a series of local axe-throwing and networking events. I have been travelling with Cate and Matt Gilmore this summer to attend the president’s roundtables. My view is that chapter involvement is an excellent way for emerging leaders in our companies to improve those skills outside of the shop and introduce new potential member companies to the PMPA. It is exciting to see these opportunities re-emerge at the local level.

Moving forward, your PMPA team and Gardner Business Media are focused on the following:

• The vision for the organization in the strategic plan. Developed in January of 2022, the plan is a road map for continued success and viability for PMPA and its membership.
• Continuing to provide concierge-level service to meet the needs of members.
• Planning for continuity of services and a seamless transition of duties as critical staff retires over the next several years.

I have been so proud to lead the organization this year. “Better Together” has proven as true of PMPA’s partnership with Gardner as we find it to be with our members! 

Sincerely,

Aneesa