AIFD News > Going Local: AIFD's New Membership Category Caters to Regional Suppliers

AIFD News

GOING LOCAL
New Membership Category Caters to Regional Suppliers

(Baltimore, MD) — A new category of membership has been created by AIFD aimed at providing smaller industry suppliers an affordable opportunity to support the work of AIFD while capitalizing on the dynamic professional floral designer market segment.

Incorporated into AIFD’s Industry Partner program, the new category – Regional Partner – offers suppliers such as local wholesalers, regional sales representatives, and local distributors marketing benefits that include a listing in the AIFD Membership Directory and on the AIFD web site, as well as discounts on the advertising in the AIFD Focal Points and other publications, and on purchasing mailing labels or electronic membership lists. Additionally, Regional Partners will be able to participate in the Industry Partners exhibit which is a part of the acclaimed AIFD National Symposium when the Symposium is being held in the respective geographic region of the partner.

AIFD Regional Partners will also receive the AIFD Membership Directory, a subscription to Focal Points (sent via email), be able to use the AIFD trademark Partner logo and register for AIFD events at the member discount price.

The annual membership fee to be a AIFD Regional Industry Partner has been set at only $250 (national AIFD Industry Partners dues will be $500 for 2008-2009). Of this, $50 will go to the respective AIFD Regional Chapter and the Partner will be made a member of the Chapter.

One caveat to the Regional Industry Partner program is that the partner may only participate in a Partner event held in conjunction with the AIFD National Symposium when the program takes place in the Partner’s respective region. For instance, a local wholesaler from Illinois would be a member of AIFD’s North Central Region and as such could participate in the 2008 National Symposium in Chicago, but would not be eligible to participate in the 2009 event in Kansas City. Additionally, the fee to participate in the appropriate Symposium event will be $100 greater than that requested from national AIFD Industry Partners.

“Many local businesses are wonderful supporters of our Accredited Members and would like to demonstrate that support with contribution to AIFD,” said Institute President Tom Simmons AIFD. “The new Regional Industry Partner program allows them to do so without having to pay the same level of dues as a large national supplier. In return, they will realize the marketing benefits AIFD affords them.”

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