Mitgliedschaft
Die individuelle IGC-Mitgliedschaft erfolgt normalerweise über einen nationalen Garten-Center-Verband. In jedem Land kann nur ein derartiger Verband IGC-Mitglied werden. In Ländern, in denen es keine offizielle Branchenvertretung gibt, kann die Mitgliedschaft von individuellen Gartencenter-Betreibern beantragt werden, bis zu dem Zeitpunkt, zu dem ihr Land eine nationale Gruppe bildet; zu diesem Zeitpunkt werden sie aufgefordert, sich dieser nationalen Gruppe anzuschließen.

IGCA-Zielsetzung
Der Internationale Gartencenter-Verband wurde als Forum für den gegenseitigen Informationsaustausch und die nutzbringende Zusammenarbeit gleichgesinnter, unabhängiger Garten- Einzelhandelsbetriebe auf weltweiter Basis konzipiert.
Diese Zielsetzung wird mit den folgenden Mitteln realisiert: Der jährliche Kongreß wird jedes Jahr eine Woche lang im August in einem anderen Gastgeberland abgehalten. Zum Programm diese Kongresses gehören eine Plenarsitzung, auf der die Wahl der Amtsträger stattfindet und die Angelegenheiten des Verbands besprochen werden, eine konzentrierte, fachbezogene Studienexkursion und ein interessantes Rahmenprogramm.
Das Mitgliederverzeichnis bietet sofortigen Zugriff auf die Adressen anderer Verbandsmitglieder in der ganzen Welt. Individuelle Studienreisen werden auf Ad hoc-Basis von nationalen Gruppen organisiert, die spezifische Informationsdefizite ausräumen wollen.

Der Vorstand

Executive Board
	Erwin Meier (Switzerland) President Erwin was elected 2001 in New York and took over the vice presidency in 2003 in Bern. After the two year term as Vice President, Erwin was elected President of the IGCA in 2005 in Paris. As President, Erwin is responsible for the cooperation within the board. It is his duty as well to represent IGCA towards the industry and other interested bodies. Mr Erwin Meier Ernst Meier AG, Florastrasse 12 8632 Tann, Switzerland Telephone +41 55 251 71 71, Telefax: +41 55 251 71 72
	Tom Courtright (USA) Vice President Tom's election took place in 2003 during the IGCA congress in Switzerland. After serving in the board for two years, Tom is the Vice President of IGCA and designated to become Erwin's successor in 2007. Together with Sue Allen, Tom is responsible for the portfolio "Content". Mr Tom Courtright Orchard Nursery & Florist 4010 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette CA 94549-3409, USA Telephone +1 925 284 4474, Telefax: +1 925 284 7993
	Gerard Berkelmans (Netherlands) Past President Gerard serves in the board for many, many years. As Past President, he remains on the board for another two years' period. Thanks to his efforts as Board Member, Vice President and finally President, it was possible to initialize major changes within the structures and organisation of IGCA. For the last two years as a Board Member, Gerard works on the portfolio "Strategy" together with Rachel Doyle. Mr Gerard Berkelmans Intratuin Rosmalen, Postbus 400 5240 AK Rosmalen, Netherlands Telephone +31 73 528 00 00, Telefax: +31 73 528 00 29
	Ruth Höppener (Germany) Board Member Ruth has been elected as a Board Member in 2003 in Bern. During the last two years, she was already working on the portfolio "Communication", together with Erwin Meier. Her new "companion" in this portfolio is Nick Stodel from South Africa. Mrs Ruth Höppener Gartencenter Höppener, Hauptstrasse 1 52499 Baesweiler, Germany Telephone +49 2401 976 90, Telefax: +49 2401 976 950
	Nick Stodel (South Africa) Board Member Nick Stodel is one of the "younger generation". He has been elected to the board in 2005 in Paris. Nick strongly believes in the benefits of IGCA and will do his best to communicate these benefits within the association. Together with Ruth Höppener, Nick takes care of the portfolio "Communication". Mr Nick Stodel Stodels Nurseries (Pty) Ltd., P.O. Box 3060, Tygerpark 7536 Bellville / Capetown, South Africa Telephone +27 21 919 11 08, Telefax: +27 21 919 70 98
	Sue Allen (UK) Board Member After serving in the British Garden Centre Association for many years, Sue accepted the nomination as a Board Member. The election took place in 2005. Sue has a huge experience in the work of an association. Together with Tom Courtright, she works on the portfolio "Content" and will make sure, that loads of good ideas will influence the further development of iGCA. Mrs Sue Allen The Millbrook Garden Company, Tubwell Lane, Jarvis Brook Crowborough , Sussex TN6 3RJ, United Kingdom Telephone +44 18 92 66 38 22 Telefax: +44 18 92 65 41 76
	Rachel Doyle (Ireland) Board Member After the congress in Ireland in 1999, Rachel was infected by a virus called "IGCA". Since then she is not only a regular visitor of all congresses - together with her family - but she commits herself in the work of the Irish Garden Cente Association as well. The election to the IGCA board too place in 2005 in Paris. Her portfolio is "Strategy" (together with Gerard Berkelmans) Mrs Rachel Doyle Arboretum Garden Centre, Klikenny Road Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow, Ireland Telephone +353 59 972 15 58, Telefax: +353 59 972 16 42
Advisory Board	Mr. Per Boisen Andersen Landsforeningen af Danske Plantehandlere Hvidkærvej 29, 5250 ODENSE, Denmark Telephone +45.6617.4489 Telefax: +45.6617.4459 Mr. Victor Santacruz Canadian Nursery Landscape Association 7856 Fifth Line South, R.R. #4, Station Main MILTON, Ontario L9T 2XB, Canada Telephone +1.905.875.1399, Telefax: +1.905.875.1840

Liste der Präsidenten seit 1968