We spoke to GAMA Public and Member Relations Director John Phythyon, who wanted to respond to a couple of things in our article on the recent events at GAMA (see 'Albin Resignation Roils GAMA Waters'). 

You've said that you think the quote we published about the big company/small company dynamic in GAMA didn't accurately portray what you meant.  Can you clarify that for us?

I never meant to convey that big companies think small companies are taking over GAMA.  Within the context of our discussion, I was trying to indicate that some of the larger companies might feel they aren't getting a loud enough voice in the organization in correlation with the amount of money they spend to support GAMA and its shows.  How prevalent that sentiment is isn't clear; it may be rather small.  My remarks were made, though, in response to you asking me if it was fair to say that big companies have taken over GAMA in the last few years.

Was there anything else in the article that you wanted to respond to?

I was surprised to read Mark Simmons' statement that 'GAMA's communication to its members and the industry has degenerated.'  Since mid-February, GAMA has been releasing, on average, one to two communiqu?s a week.  We've sent press releases, official statements, reminders and prep sheets for our shows, updates on hotel availability for Origins, and have revamped the newsletter getting it published on a regular basis again and adding content.  I don't recall a time in the last five or six years when GAMA was this communicative with its membership or the industry at large.