Even in a recession, there’s a sweet side to running the National Confectioners Association. Sales of gourmet chocolate products manage to stay steady during an economic downturn, as consumers still indulge in small treats, while the sales of more expensive luxury goods plunge. It’s a cycle that Larry Graham has seen a few times over his 15-year tenure as CEO of NCA. NCA wields a nice bite for its size, with an annual budget of just $10 million and 30 staff. The challenge, Graham says, is to keep the association fresh, with new programs and strategies to keep members engaged, to broaden the industry’s reach and reflect the real value for membership dollars. Graham is an… Read More