OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals announces the hiring of Ms. Jamie Schafrath, CMP, as its Director – Business Development. Schafrath will lead a team of staff and volunteers to help OFA members maximize their business opportunities.
“OFA is growing, and we want to ensure that our organization is well prepared to help members be successful. In these challenging economic times, this newly-created position will facilitate new business relationships for our members to help them stay competitive, and help to strengthen the horticulture industry,” said Michael V. Geary, CAE, OFA’s Chief Executive Officer.
“This is an exciting time for OFA, and I look forward to being actively engaged with our members to help them be successful. I am honored to be a part of this national organization and industry. In the future our members will see expanded business development opportunities through our numerous conferences, trade shows, publications, and other member services,” said Schafrath.
Prior to joining OFA, Schafrath spent seven years as a National Sales Manager for Experience Columbus, the convention and visitor’s bureau for Central Ohio. She focused on the agriculture, transportation, legal, political, and government markets in Washington, DC and Chicago.
Jamie, who was raised on an Ohio family dairy farm, holds a degree in hospitality management from The Ohio State University, and earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Convention Industry Council.
About the organization: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals is the leading horticulture trade association in the United States. It is a 501(c)(5) non-profit, all-industry organization and its core purpose/mission is “to support and advance professional horticulture.” Industry segments served include: garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, retail and wholesale florists, and interior plantscapers. OFA is especially known for its outstanding publications and its annual OFA Short Course, U.S. horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace. The next Short Course will take place on July 14-17, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio USA.
Source: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals