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Why Join an Association?From an Editor's Standpoint You may ask yourself, why should I join an association? You probably don't have time to bother with that. The lives of those employed in the construction industry are hectic. And then there are the membership dues, which may not be in the company budget. In reality, time spent bettering your company is time well spent, and membership dues are but a drop in the proverbial bucket. Whether your company is a small mom and pop shop or a large enterprise, associations offer benefits for everyone. And memberships are usually diversified in more ways than one, with some companies being union and others open shop. There's no discrimination. The doors are open to everyone. The Key is Networking The key to association membership is networking with your peers. Not only does it provide the opportunity to meet individuals who share a common interest; it can also spark the beginning of new friendships. After all, you can never have too many contacts in your industry. Newsletters Provide Useful Information Most associations provide a newsletter, whether it is weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Contained in these newsletters is priceless information touching on all the topics that affect the industry – the labor shortage, equipment theft, and government, environmental, legal and financial issues. You can find breaking news on legislative decisions, upcoming seminars, conventions or meetings, new standards, employment opportunities and industry trends. Plus the newsletter keeps its members abreast of the latest developments among association members. Promoting Services through Directories Being listed in an association directory can be beneficial to your firm in more ways than one. Not only does it promote the services of fellow members within the association, in many cases it is distributed outside of the network, increasing the chances for work both inside and outside of the association. Take Advantage of Free Publicity Having worked in the advertising industry for several years, I can assure you that publicity can be nothing but helpful to your organization. And this is one of the more prevalent benefits of being affiliated with an association. In a sense, the publicity your company can get through an association can be as beneficial as a $10,000 brochure. Isn't publicity what contractors, architects, project managers, and the like, are trying to achieve by standing a sign in clear view displaying their company's names on a job site? Isn't the same true of manufacturers, dealers and contractors who plaster their names across the doors of company trucks, or on a piece of heavy equipment? These tactics are definitely great for getting your name out there. There's only one problem though – the majority of the people seeing your name as they drive past are not always the ones you need to see it. This is where the benefits of the associations become evident. They have the ability to promote your company to the right people through various outlets. Keep in mind that most associations have liaisons in the media and government agencies. The fact is, construction work requires much effort and skill. Through a concerted effort, all facets of the industry are taking part in building the future. There have always been and will always be jobs that you will be proud to have worked on, supplied equipment to, designed, or whatever the case. Why not take a little credit for your efforts and get some free publicity. Special Events Offer Many Benefits Many associations have frequent meetings to discuss topics of concern to their memberships. Meetings are but one of the many events held. Also, some have conventions, award ceremonies, workshops, management seminars and dinners, and even golf outings. A massive amount of information, company promotion and networking takes place in each of these outlets. Don't get me wrong. I'm not guaranteeing that membership in an association will guarantee your organization's instant success. What I am saying is that membership could be a step in the right direction. Plus, many of your competitors are already reaping the benefits of membership. Don't be left out of the loop |
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We’re in PA Now !! PA EMCA
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