Why Join ARA?

Retailer and supplier companies join ARA to be informed about the latest news, products and technology in the industry and to use this information to benefit their companies and customers. Up-to-the-minute information about the industry and the association can be found at Awards Online and in Recognition Review, ARA's monthly newsmagazine.

Companies also join ARA to learn. Business Builder seminars at ARA Awards shows are free to members and offer a wide spectrum of topics designed to help awards professionals become more successful. Hands-on Tech Track workshops on topics such as CorelDRAW, laser engraving and sandblasting are offered to members at greatly reduced rates.

Great networking is another reason to be an ARA member. ARA Awards shows provide the best possible atmosphere for meeting others in the industry and establishing important business relationships. Awards Online allows members to connect directly with each other, and ARA publishes an annual Membership Directory and Buyers Guide that members use on a daily basis to find one another.

Information, education and communication -- three reasons an ARA membership is a must-have in the awards and recognition industry. Here's a brief summary of some of our membership benefits:

Trade Shows

Awards Shows -- ARA's Awards Shows provide outstanding business and educational opportunities for both retailers and suppliers. Retailers can view the latest industry products, take advantage of special show offers and benefit from a full educational program. Exhibiting suppliers have the opportunity to increase their business contacts and sales by meeting with hundreds of attendees.

Publications

• Recognition Review -- The association's monthly magazine is filled with how-to articles, technical tips, business features, product information, membership activities, informative advertisements and a handy pullout section of "Rewarding Ideas." Distribution averages 8,900 monthly.
• ARA Membership Directory and Buyers Guide -- The ARA Membership Directory and Buyers Guide is available only to members. It includes a complete directory of retailer and supplier members, important association information, a buyers guide that gives a comprehensive listing of industry products and services, and a component index to help you find that elusive trophy figure, plaque mount or medal. It's your daily industry reference book and a must-have for serious industry professionals.
• Awards Shop Design Manual -- What are the keys to successful showroom layout and product display? How can you maximize your space - and your profit? ARA's Awards Shop Design Manual will take you step by step through various shop design strategies and show you how to make the most out of your store.
• Business Operations Manual -- Why reinvent the wheel? This practical guide will lead you through business systems you can implement to help increase efficiency while delighting your customers. Includes a diskette with customizable sample formats.
• Marketing Tool Kit -- Practical tips, techniques and how-tos specifically for the awards industry. ARA's Marketing Tool Kit provides ARA members with everything they need to effectively market their business. This workbook is so popular that it's in its second printing in less than a year!
• And the Winner Is..
  John Leverence brings more than 20 years of experience in the awards industry to this book, which provides a good overview of the awards industry. Among the topics John discusses are how to use awards programs to promote your company and encourage your employees.
• Click n' Learn CD Roms
  Learn CorelDRAW techniques through a real-time demonstration complete with steb-by-step audiovisual instructions. Each CD is focused on a technique such as contours, blends, extrusions, perspectives, envelopes, and more..

Education

• Business-building seminars -- An ARA membership brings you free, top-notch business-building seminars and low cost, hands-on Tech Track workshops. ARA is committed to providing continuing education for its members and is proud to offer what we feel is an excellent line up of seminars and speakers. Topics include CorelDRAW!, laser engraving, color-filling, acrylics, marketing and selling.
• Certification -- ARA's certification program is designed to enhance your knowledge, recognition, and professionalism in the awards industry. By enrolling in the certification program, you will have your educational history tracked for you by ARA as you work towards the designations of Certified Recognition Specialist (CRS) and Certified Recognition Master (CRM). Continuing education credits may be earned by attending and evaluating educational seminars or watching home study videos.
• ARA Home Study Video Library -- Watch and learn in the comfort of your own home. Current offerings include videotapes of ARA seminars that allow you to pick up the best ideas and insights in the industry. Currently the library contains 19 tapes, although more titles are added to the library every year.
• QuickTip Clinics -- When you attend any of the  ARA Awards Shows, spend some time in our popular QuickTip clinics. These 20-minute demonstration sessions on the show floor give you valuable nuggets of information to help your business grow.

Advertising and Promotion

• Display advertising -- Reach the industry's leaders through a range of advertising options. Economical display advertising is available to suppliers in Recognition Review, the ARA Membership Directory and Buyers Guide, and the program books printed for each Awards Market.
• Classified advertising -- Classified advertising of up to 50 words is available at bargain rates to retail members in the Recognition Review classified section. Ads range from employment and business opportunities to the sale of equipment. Locate the perfect employee or turn your old equipment into cash.
• Single-use mailing labels -- Member suppliers can target their mailings by purchasing their labels from ARA's complete list of 12,000 industry retailers for just ten cents each.
• ARA database on diskette -- Another way for member suppliers to target their mailings, this diskette contains the addresses of over 12,000 awards professionals across the country.
• Door decal and membership card -- The ARA door decal shows your customers that you are a professional and that your firm meets the standards of the awards industry's trade association. It's a great way to establish a positive image for your business. The ARA membership card serves as proof of membership at association events.

Research

Product Locator Hotline -- The ARA product locator attempts to match dealer members with the products, equipment and services they're seeking. Available only to members, this service gives access to a vast amount of information on products and services, saving members time and money in locating hard-to-find products and companies.

Leadership

Industry Leadership -- Opportunities for leadership abound in ARA's network of volunteer positions. From leadership at the branch level to policy-making responsibilities on the board of directors, ARA members can gain valuable experience while contributing to the association and the industry.

Participation

• Standing Committees -- Six standing committees consist of ARA retailers and suppliers who volunteer their time to work on association programs in the areas of membership, education, trade shows, budget, awards and communications.
• Branch Program -- The ARA branch program provides for local participation and networking among ARA members. Each branch springs from local needs and interests. Meetings can feature shop tours, retailer/supplier discussions, table top displays, educational seminars or social events.
• Volunteer opportunities also exist for: staffing the member booth at ARA trade shows, serving as a judge for the awards program, serving as an education volunteer, writing articles for Recognition Review, and recruiting new members for the Reach Out campaign.

Recognition

Awards Program -- ARA offers an awards program befitting the awards and recognition industry. More than two dozen individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry have been inducted into the ARA Hall of Fame. Annual Retailer and Supplier of the Year awards are presented, as well as the Founders Award for outstanding service. These awards, plus others won by retailers and suppliers for outstanding products, are presented at the annual ARA awards banquet during the ARA International Awards Market in Las Vegas.

Business Services

• Bankcard Processing -- Watch your profit increase from credit card sales. Nova Information Center offers low rates on setup and processing to ARA members.
• Shipping Discounts -- Airborne provides group discounts on shipping anywhere in the U.S. and free enrollment to members. RPS/Fedex ground offers members discounts off published rates. Emery worldwide, Yellow Freight, and Roadway Express also offer shipping services at special discounted rates to ARA members.
• Telephone Discounts -- US Sprint offers members savings on long distance calls. Sprint's Dial 1 Service, FONCARD and travel card programs include the member discount. No minimum monthly usage is required.
• Travel Discounts -- ARA offers members airfare and hotel discounts during the Awards Shows. Special convention packages have been arranged with participating airlines and hotels.
• Credit Exchange -- Suppliers are provided the opportunity to participate in an exchange of customer credit data on a monthly basis.
• Car Rental Discounts -- Avis and Hertz provide discounts on car rentals when members provide the Avis reservation sales agent with the ARA Avis Worldwide Discount number.
• LiscenseOnline.com -- ARA members save on the purchase of Microsoft and other computer software and licenses.
• PennyWise office products -- ARA members can get a huge selection of office products, free, fast delivery and the guaranteed lowest prices on office products from PennyWise.

For additional information about ARA membership, contact Cathy at ARA headquarters, or contact ARA at (800) 344-2148.