Local Networking Groups

Arizona | California | Georgia | North Carolina | Ohio

AZ

The Arizona Professional Gift Basket Association (APGBA)
Statewide Membership
Monthly Meetings: Phoenix, AZ
Initial Membership Dues: $85 
Renewals: $75 Per Year
Attend your first meeting as our guest!
Contact:480-699-9626

CA

Northern California Gift Basket Co-op - Sacramento Area, CA
(formerly Basket Buddies of Northern California).
Meetings: Our group now meets at the Round Table Pizza on Browns Valley Road in Vacaville, CA on the first Sunday of the month from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Meeting times and places are subject to change due to field trips and holidays, so it is best to call for meeting times.
Board Members: President: Sylvia Alves (707) 529-6788,
Vice President: Doris Grant of Name the Occasion in Richmond
Secretary: Sue Clabby of Sue's Fancy Baskets in Vacaville
Treasurer: Dona Bovey of Not Just Baskets in Benicia

Gift Basket Professionals Network

http://www.GBPN.org
P.O. Box 19046
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
1 (866) 458-GBPN (4276)

About GBPN: - When a vendor-sponsored gift basket seminar ended in August 1993, a few attendees were so excited and stimulated by all the ideas they had learned that they moved their discussion to the hotel restaurant to continue networking. By midnight they were still sharing ideas, tips and sources long after the seminar and trade show had ended. A connection had been formed and the Gift Basket Professionals Network (GBPN) was born. Although GBPN began as a Southern California group, it now boasts members from across the United States and in Canada.

GBPN meetings: Meetings have featured guest speakers such as Shirley Frazier, owner of Sweet Survival located in Paterson, N.J.; Stacey Curtis, Lion Ribbon; Asma Vo, CPA and many more. Recognizing our contribution to the gift industry, vendors began requesting the opportunity to host our meetings at their showrooms/warehouses. We have met at JDW Distributors in Tustin; Russ Berrie at the LA MART; Old Jerusalem Coffee in Santa Ana; Elderberry Creations in San Diego, CA; R.G. Packaging, in City of Industry; Distinct Impressions in Rialto, CA and the California Gift Show.

In keeping with its mission to promote professional advancement in the gift industry GBPN has received nationwide attention. GBPN has been acknowledged in Gift Basket Review, By Design Magazine and listings in the newest book by Paul and Sarah Edwards, How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business by Shirley Frazier; and the Orange County Directory of Networking Groups.

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) has honored seven members of GBPN as members of the year: Flora Brown, 1996; Lula Carter, 1997; Diane Balthard, 1998; Jeanine Eckhardt, 1999; Marcia Behar, 2000; Tami Clark, 2001 and Linda Hamilton, 2002, Julie Taylor, 2003.

We have created the West Coast Resource Directory, available for purchase on our website.

Members also enjoy a lending library, a page on our website in our Member Showcase and more.

Our 2004 Chairperson is Jeanine Eckhardt of Gifts in a Basket.

GA

The Gift Basket Association of Georgia, Inc. (GBAG)

Our members are from various locations in Georgia.

Mission Statement:The Gift Basket Association of Georgia, Inc. (GBAG) was established in May of 1994 by Gift Basket Professionals as a forum to network with similar business, to support, and to learn from one another.

The Purpose of GBAG is to further the advancement of all Gift Basket Professionals and to provide a source of networking, support and information for the Gift Basket Industry.

Members of GBAG will focus on this purpose by cooperatively setting goals which are useful to all members, providing enrichment, and encouraging communication of ideas and opinions within the Association.

Meetings: GBAG meets quarterly and visitors can email one of the officers for more details about meetings location.
Email: info@gbagonline.com or visit our website for more information. Association Website:www.gbagonline.com

NC

North Carolina Association of Professional Gift Designers
Meetings: Internet Chats twice a month, General Membership meetings in Feb and Aug of each year
Time: Internet Chats: 8-9pm on second Tuesday and fourth Wed of each month
Place: Rotating
Membership - Must have one year experience in the industry
Membership Fee: $60/year, payable quarterly or annually
Contact: Gail Abbuhl 919.736.1122 ncapgd@yahoo.com
Group formed in 2002
Board Members - are chosen every two years. Meeting minutes are taken at each meeting.

Mission: The mission of the NCAPGD is to unite those North Carolina individuals and businesses within the professional gift industry that are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in gift selection, design and delivery. We are committed to sound and honorable business practices, the promotion of professional advancement and integrity within the gift industry, continuing education and training, and networking with fellow professionals. We also pledge to actively promote North Carolina products and support the wholesale vendors who sell them whenever possible.

Association Website: http://www.orgsites.com/nc/ncapgd

OH

Gift Basket Professionals of Ohio

The purpose of GBPO is to network with other gift basket, floral and balloon business owners and staff.

We strive to further the advancement of all gift basket professionals and to provide a source of networking, support and information for the gift basket industry.

We will have monthly meetings, speakers at some meetings, a special preferred vendor area on the site, and more.

Contact: Call Heather Walker (Founder) at 937-454-5967, or email her at pros@giftbasketprosohio.com

Association Website: http://www.giftbasketprosohio.com

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Considering starting one?
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