Choosing the Contractor's Association that’s Right for You
There are dozens of associations out there for the
construction and remodeling industry. You can segment by location -Western States Roofing Contractors
Association, industry - Resilient
Floor Covering Institute or even demographic - National Association of Women in Construction. But how do you know
which association is going to bring the most benefit to your company. Many small business owners join for the
networking opportunities, some join for the prestige of affiliation and others still
join because their ‘competitor is a member.’
It’s easy to forget the real reason that associations exist
and the true benefit behind their membership.
Associations represent the voice of the construction industry. They rally for you in Washington and they
provide insider industry information that you can’t find anywhere else. Additionally they can provide extensive networking
opportunities. The key is to use these
to your advantage. Say ‘yes’ to becoming
a guest speaker or a ‘featured monthly member.’ With networking, measuring your
return on investment in relation to brand recognition can be difficult, that’s
where your discount benefits come into play.
One often
underutilized feature of most associations is their discount program or
preferred vendor list. Associations
utilize their collective bargaining power to provide you with deep discounts,
from freight shipping to insurance and office supplies. These discounts are usually listed under the
benefits section in the membership area.
These programs allow your company to calculate your return with concrete
numbers.
Let’s take FreightCenter’s discount program as an example.
Members of the Wall and
Ceiling Alliance can save up to 70% off traditional carrier rates through
their partnership program. Let’s say you
were shipping 3 pallets of tin siding from Tampa, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia.
The average rate for a traditional carrier is around $156.79, while
FreightCenter’s association discounted rate came out to $72.80. If this was a continuous monthly shipment,
you would save over $1,000 annually off this one benefit.
Many associations also provide discounts on National trade shows
that you are already attending. Calculate the savings on rental space,
sponsorships and booth
shipping.
Before joining an association, take a look at the free educational
opportunities they provide. This can be
a perfect opportunity for you to help educate your employees on industry
practices without having to come out of pocket.
Many organizations offer free seminars, webinars and discounts on
certifications.
Don’t forget – without members, associations don’t exist! If you’ve already paid your annual dues and
haven’t been reaping the benefits, you always have the power of
suggestion. Association staff and board
members want to hear from you! Contact your organization and suggest they add a
cost savings program to their membership benefits and start advantage of your
memberships.
