LAS VEGAS — Members of the National Grocers Association believe the organization does a top-notch job in its lobbying activities and government relations work but would like it to do even more, Peter Larkin, president and chief executive officer, said here Sunday at the opening general session of the association’s 29th annual convention.
In a survey of member opinions, NGA’s government relations work was ranked No. 1, Larkin said. But when members were asked what the association can do in the future, one of the responses was to expand government relations, along with collaborating more with other trade associations.
The member opinions were based primarily on preliminary results of a “member value project” NGA launched in September, which included soliciting opinions online. The project provides “a glimpse into the minds of NGA members and potential members to provide information we will use to improve or strengthen what we do now and what we will offer in the future.” Not all of the project’s findings have been evaluated yet, Larkin said. “We plans to review the data internally and hope to publish a report in a few weeks,” he indicated.