Herndon, VA — The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) is pleased to announce that its membership has grown to a total of more than 2,800 – the highest total to date for the association.
Numbers in all categories of membership increased, but significant growth was seen in ALCA’s core “landscape contractor member” and “supplier member” categories. Since ALCA members are companies, not individuals, the total number of landscape employees represented by this new membership total is estimated to be more 30,000.
ALCA has seen a solid record of continued growth over the last five years, reflecting the financial health of the growing green industry. The association now is embarking on an aggressive three-year strategic plan to grow its membership to 4,000 company members by the end of 2006. Spearheading this effort is Jeff Joutras, general manager, The Bruce Company of Wisconsin, who is chair of the ALCA Membership Committee and key result area director for ALCA’s membership growth efforts.
“Through coordinated efforts with the other key result areas of marketing, certification, products and services, business development, industry development and leadership/staff development, ALCA will provide the leadership and resources essential for continued professional growth of the green industry,” Joutras outlines.
Specifically, ALCA’s strategic plan for growth includes a strong marketing campaign to raise the level of consumer awareness of professional standards and certification as well as partnerships with other associations. Increased membership will allow ALCA to provide innovative services, such as distance learning, to the marketplace and to have a greater legislative impact on issues of importance to the green industry.