PHILADELPHIA, Penn. ?EUR??,,????'??+ The Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association (LGMDA) held its Annual Convention and Trade Show, July 21-24, 2003, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Keynote Speaker Walt Sutton?EUR??,,????'???s message to the members was balancing work with personal goals. Distributors and manufacturers met during prescheduled appointments in the manufacturers booths over the three-day event. In addition, its newly launched North American Lawn and Garden Trade Show saw over 50 of the top 100 retailers meet with 100 LGMDA manufacturering members. LGMDA members account for more than $1 billion in annual sales. Members either manufacture or distribute lawn and garden hard goods, which include most items found at the local lawn and garden store, with the exception of power tools and green goods. Founded in 1970 as a distributor association, the group underwent a strategic change in 1995. It is now the only trade association that represents both distributors and manufacturers as full voting partners. Next year, the LGMDA Annual Meeting and Trade Show will be held July 18-21, in Orlando Florida.