by Nicole Neder

Here is a link to watch the YouTube recording of the 2024 Annual Meeting in its entirety.

The National Upholstery Association (NUA) held its annual meeting, discussing its growth, accomplishments, and plans for the year, including the launch of regional events, and a mentorship program. The meeting also focused on the organization's financial health, volunteer efforts, and strategic vision for the upcoming year, with a focus on expanding educational opportunities.

Here are the highlights:

• Keaven Willa Hartt, NUA President, highlighted the association's growth, which has reached 300 members since 2019
• There are 2 new part-time contractors - a volunteer administration expert and a PR coordinator are now on board to help move the NUA forward in these areas
• The Board announced plans to open Discord exclusively to members. It will also serve as the new platform where mentorship program participants can connect and match.
• Elections for the Board are forthcoming
• NUA is in good financial health, showing a 29% increase in gross income and a healthy cash reserve
• The Education Committee was relaunched this year with a renewed commitment to its mission
• Emphasis will be placed on the organization's advocacy for the upholstery industry, aiming to counteract the misconception that it is a dying trade

There is a strong need for volunteers within NUA. Harmony Maraldo, Director at Large of NUA, discussed the need for volunteers to assist with various tasks, including curating the quarterly newsletter and creating social media content. They emphasized the importance of having multiple volunteers for each task to share the workload. Harmony also highlighted the need for volunteers to join committees, which would help distribute the workload among board members and provide diverse perspectives. They encouraged interested individuals to reach out via email to volunteer@nationalupholsteryassociation.org.