ASPA BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S 

Management Letter

Vol. 14-Mar. 15, 1983

Consumers benefit... from the OPEC countries’ oil price fight. 

Unleaded gas reportedly will be less than one dollar by Memorial Day. 

Economy looking up! Winter boat shows report excellent sales 

and well attended. Private aircraft purchases are picking up. This 
represents available, spendable money and indicate the economy is starting 
to bend. Car sales picking up with special low-interest deals (in Hastings, 
for example, 61/2%) on new car purchases. 

If you miss your airline flight... and you can make another connection 
fairly soon, airline authorities advise you to go direct to the other airline 
departure gate and not to its main ticket counter! If there is an empty seat, 
the second airline will usually honor the ticket from your missed flight. 

Indicators are up as to prospects for a continued improvement in 

the economic situation. We review a number of financial advisories each 
week and there seems to be a pretty much unanimous feeling that housing 
starts, decreased unemployment, increased productivity, and other than normal 
factors used in forecasting the future give support to the feeling that 
improvement is at hand. Amount is not sensational, but slow and orderly. 

Sod market... looks much better, according to reports from some of 
the members we have contacted. Those who have planned for this improvement 
undoubtedly have organized their advertising and promotion, letting people 
know the availability of the product. Some are also looking at their current 
sod inventory and making plans for an increased acreage for next year. These 
are individual management decisions, but need to be studied and analyzed. 

Controlling costs... continues to be a significant way of increasing 
profits. "Service" continues to be of critical importance in what will be an 
effort to build sales and future referrals. 

Promotional materials were shown at the State Representative’s 
exhibit table at the ASPA Midwinter Conference in San Antonio, with the 
exhibit being manned by State Rep Chairman Dave Payne and his lovely wife. 
Several longtime members commented they had forgotten about the materials 
that are available and the slide/cassette presentation "Why Sod?" received 
renewed support. These materials are designed for your use so contact the 
ASPA office and order your supply for the coming marketing season.

(OVER)

American Sod Producers Association  

Assn. Bldg., 9th & Minnesota  

Hastings, Nebraska 68901  
Phone (402) 463-4683 

A delightful visit was experienced when Chris and Janet Watmore 

of Cheshire, England visited Hastings and spent sometime at the ASPA office. 
The Watmores are longtime ASPA members who have attended a number of ASPA 
events and are looking forward to taking part in the International Meeting 
in New Jersey in July. They are very enthusiastic in their appreciation 
for what they say ASPA has done in assisting them in developing their business 
in England. They expressed their appreciation to the staff and the volunteer 
leadership for the response to their requests and ability to gather information 
from their colleagues at the various meetings. The Watmores spent the week-end 
as guests of Executive Director Bob Garey and his wife, Marge, before returning 
to England. 

A new brochure on "Working With Your Banker" is "in the process" 

at the ASPA office. Based on material provided by Business Management 
Committee Chairman Al Gardner, the brochure will make suggestions on 
dealing with your banker before you need him and helping your banker 
understand sod production and what is involved. 

Ruling on use of ASPA Legal Counsel... at the February meeting of 

Request for legal services by ASPA members is to be made directly 

the ASPA Board of Trustees, the following procedure was established on 
the use of Legal Counsel Bill Harding by Association members: 
to Executive Director Bob Garey at the ASPA office in Hastings, Nebraska 
for review and response using information already legally established and 
available. Any calls requiring direct contact on the part of members with 
Legal Counsel Bill Harding will be made at the expense of the calling member.  
This establishes a clear procedure for members on any legal inquiries 
they make and will enable members to receive answers to information requests 
with less chance of duplication of information and expense.

Note: This monthly newsletter is compiled and published under the  

auspices of the ASPA Business Management Committee to serve as a helpful  
business update for all ASPA members. We invite your comments and  
recommendations.

AL GARDNER, Chairman 
Business Management Committee