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"ARA creates camaraderie between its retailer member competitors, allowing them to learn from each other's successful business practices."

2008 Retailer of the Year ,
Tim Ruffner, Brogan's Awards and Sportswear, Inc., Gurnee, IL




Membership

The Benefits of Membership

Retailer and supplier members join ARA to stay connected to the awards, recognition and engraving industry. The information gathered and exchanged benefits not only industry professionals, but their customers as well. ARA offers the most up-to-date information about technological advancements, and company and product news through the annual ARA International Awards Market, and the ARA website, as well as in the association’s monthly newsmagazine, Recognition Review (which is also available online). Click here to join ARA today.

ARA’s exclusive member benefits include the ARA Online Buyer’s Guide, one of the most useful and beneficial tools in the industry. The Buyer’s Guide provides supplier and product information as well as the retailer locator.

Individuals also join ARA to learn. The educational program at the ARA International Awards Market is second to none. The tracks include a wide spectrum of topics designed to help awards professionals become better equipped to succeed and to assist their customers. Many seminars are free with membership, and others are offered at a reduced rate for ARA members.

Networking and fostering and maintaining relationships are additional reasons to become an ARA member. The ARA annual show is designed for attendees and participants to meet, exchange stories and ideas, and to do business. By attending each year, members maintain customer and colleague relationships, and have the opportunity to establish new ones as well.

Connect. Create. Continue. Three reasons to become an ARA member today.

Following is a brief summary of the outstanding benefits of ARA membership:

  • Educational Resources. ARA offers the awards and recognition industry's highest quality educational programs, ranging from business-building seminars and affordable hands-on workshops to downloadable seminars and other educational information via the ARA Web site. Members receive discounts on all ARA educational products such as seminar CDs and industry-related books. Recognition Review, ARA's official monthly publication, features articles with cutting-edge information about current technologies and best practices for marketing and business operations.
  • ARA Special Savings Programs. ARA helps its members protect their bottom line by teaming up with national vendors to provide cost-saving services such as shipping and storage, credit-card processing, and insurance. In addition, ARA members can take advantage of special savings through the ARA Supplier Coupon program. The 2011 ARA Coupon Book features over $5,000 in discounts on products and equipment from more than 50 ARA supplier members. Coupons are valid through December 31, 2011.
  • Annual ARA International Awards Market. The annual ARA International Awards Market in Las Vegas is the industry's largest and most impressive show for awards and recognition retailers and suppliers. It attracts retailers worldwide to view the latest industry products, take advantage of special show offers, and benefit from the association's comprehensive educational program that includes workshops, hands-on seminars, and product demonstrations. The show gives exhibiting suppliers the opportunity to display their products and increase their business contacts and sales by meeting with hundreds of attendees.
  • ARA Online Buyer's Guide. The ARA Online Buyer's Guide is one of the awards and engraving industry's most important tools for finding products and services. It is also one of the association's most valuable member benefits.The ARA Online Buyer's Guide is easy to use, allowing retailer members to search for and view specific products by category, characteristics, and keywords. For suppliers, the ARA Online Buyer's Guide is a cost-effective way to broaden your customer base and market your products to ARA retailer members.
  • Recognition Review Magazine. ARA's monthly trade publication, Recognition Review, features technical advice, new product information, member profiles, articles from industry experts, ARA news, and advertising opportunities. It's one of ARA's primary links to the awards and recognition industry. Recognition Review is distributed to ARA members in both print and digital format.
  • ARA Professional Certification Program. ARA's Professional Certification Program is designed to enhance your knowledge, professionalism and recognition in the awards industry. Certification Program enrollees have the opportunity to earn the industry's recognized marks of distinction - Certified Recognition Specialist (CRS) and Certified Recognition Master (CRM) - through the association's educational programs, home-study videos, approved courses, and other certified-education units (CEU)-granting options.
  • ARA Member2Member Forum. The ARA Member2Member Forum is an online community designed to bring together ARA members to discuss awards resources, share knowledge, and network about business opportunities in the awards and recognition industry. ARA members can conveniently access the M2M Forum by logging into the Members Only area of the ARA.org website, and then clicking on the M2M Forum banner.
  • Industry Leadership. ARA offers leadership opportunities through its network of volunteer positions. From leadership at the volunteer and committee level to policy-making responsibilities on the ARA Board of Directors, members gain valuable experience while contributing to the growth of their association and industry. Participating in ARA-sponsored events and meetings will establish your position as an influential contributor to the awards industry.