Journal of the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association

What’s Happening at Mpma?
MPMA Makes Great Progress
in 5-Year Strategic Plan
by Jaime Nolan, executive director
VISION:
Minnesota is to be
the recognized world
leader in precision
manufacturing and
related technologies.
MISSION:
To drive success in
Minnesota precision
manufacturing.
One of the many benefits of belonging
to your industry trade association are
those activities that often occur behind
the scenes. The “intangibles” we call them:
The things that happen on behalf of the
entire industry but are not always directly
felt by the members who support the
organization. However, those intangibles
have a profound impact on reaching the
mission and the vision of an organization,
and they serve as the fundamental reason
trade associations exist. As the MPMA
is now halfway through its current 5-year
strategic plan, we felt it was important
that we share with you—our key
stakeholders—the progress we have made
in both the tangible and intangible benefits
that you receive as a member.
In April 2008, the MPMA Board of
Directors developed a 5-year strategic
plan that focuses on four key areas:
1. Industry Awareness
2. Workforce Development
3. Industry Expansion
4. Association Growth
Below is an outline of the specific
goals and objectives that were created
as part of this strategic plan, and a brief
report on the progress we have made
toward each goal. For a more detailed
listing of the progress report, visit
www.mpma.com.
MPMA STRATEGIC PLAN
2008-2013
GOAL #1: Drive efforts to increase
awareness of manufacturing industry.
OBJ 1: Increase awareness of
manufacturing industry to:
a. Government
b. Educators/Counselors
c. Community
Dave Fiedler giving a tour of Checker Machine, Inc.,
to 13 students from United South Central High School located in Wells, Minn.
OBJ 2: Work with local media to increase
coverage of manufacturing industry.
MPMA has increased its involvement
with the Minnesota Chamber of
Commerce, serving as a premier sponsor
at the annual Business Day at the
Capitol. Additionally, we have increased
attendance at the annual NTMA/PMA
One Voice Legislative Conference
in Washington, D.C., where we have
been able to speak one-on-one with
representatives of the U.S. Senate and
House of Representatives about issues
affecting Minnesota manufacturers.
MPMA also serves on the Manufacturers
Coalition and has continued to increase
its communication with both the United
States and state legislators.
In the area of education, we have
focused significant energy on increasing
our presence at job and education fairs,
as well as our presence in front of school
counselors, administrators and teachers.
We have exhibited and presented at
conferences such as the Minnesota School
Counselors Association, the Minnesota
Technical Education Association and
Project the Lead Way.
Regarding increased awareness in
the community, MPMA has developed a
partnership with the TwinWest Chamber
of Commerce and worked closely with
them on their Workforce Ready! grant
which focused on careers in precision
manufacturing. MPMA also has been
a key sponsor and exhibitor at the
annual Veteran’s Career Fair, spoken at
various community events such as the
Minnesota Momentum Conference, and
established a strong presence for the
online community through avenues such
as Twitter and LinkedIn.
Additionally, MPMA has established
relationships with local reporters and has
increased frequency in media coverage
relating to manufacturing issues, with
MPMA and/or its members used as
sources in over 30 articles since July 2008.
40 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING July | August 2010