Page 6 - Free State Winter 2021

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
on par with the last few years of in-person shows. So, by all
accounts, we’ll have a pretty large crowd and that is terrific
news!

On the flip side, MANTS will be a little different this year.
Currently, Baltimore City has a mask mandate in all City
buildings. If the mandate is in effect during the show, we must
comply. It’s pretty clear cut and simple. I’d rather not be in the
middle of enforcing a public health mandate and someone’s
belief that they should not have to comply with a law, so if you
are with us at MANTS and the mandate is still in effect, please
just wear your mask. I will appreciate it!
This past year, the MNGLA has accomplished quite a number
VANESSA A. FINNEY of things. Along with our peer MaGIC industry associations, we
Executive Director followed and responded to dozens of bills, received feedback
and input from our members, and kept them informed of bills’
progress through the Assembly.
e’ve waited two years… are you ready? It’s time
to get back to MANTS in-person, face-to-face. I We launched a Social Media toolkit to help our members
Wam thrilled we are able to once again gather as kick-start and maintain their own SM campaigns. Also, we
an industry to promote our businesses, sell our products and had more industry professionals take advantage of the CPH
services, and reconnect with our industry family and friends. exam move to an online testing platform. This move makes
it easier for more people to test at a time and location that is
And speaking of gathering again, the MNGLA annual meeting
will be held, per usual, on the opening day of MANTS, January convenient for them, including high school students.
5th. We’ll be back in-person at the Baltimore Convention The education committee was able to launch several
Center. Join us for complimentary hot breakfast and in-person events this summer and fall, following a very
catch up with MNLGA business courtesy of our Wye Oak successful, but virtual Chessie Green in February. Thank you to
sponsors (page 56). We will have several guest speakers our venue hosts, Catoctin Mt. Growers and Field Stone Nursery
and presentation of the association’s annual Professional for opening their businesses to the membership.
Achievement Award. Registration is open via the MNLGA Next up is our Bio-Control Conference on December 16th,
website (mnlga.org) or via e-mails you should have already co-sponsored with UME. Visit mnlga.org to register. This event
received. Again, attendance will be held at the Maritime Institute.
is complimentary, but we need your reservation to properly
plan for breakfast and seating. This meeting is scheduled for In closing, I would like to thank our dedicated Free State writers
7:15 – 8:30 a.m. who selflessly offer their time and expertise for every single
issue produced, year after year. Join me in thanking Stanton,
You might be wondering if MANTS will be different this year. Jerry, Ginny, Leslie, and Mike. Free State welcomes more writers,
I think the answer to that is “yes” and “no.” The easy answer, too, and you don’t need to commit to every issue – if you’ve
‘no’ it won’t be different, is because MANTS will offer an exhibit got a one-time feature or company news to share, please
floor filled with companies from across North America eager send it my way.
and ready to do business, meet new customers, promote the
tried-and-true products and services they offer, as well as to Again, I hope to see you all at the MNGLA Annual Meeting
make a splash with their new introductions. As of writing this and MANTS. Until then, I hope you have a very happy holiday
column in mid-November, our pre-registration numbers are season. A

6 WINTER 2021 • Free State News