People join trade associations for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they want to expand their industry knowledge, meet peers who share their experiences, or even just obtain business leads, but the truth is, simply joining a trade association doesn’t make magic happen. You have to engage in the process to reap its benefits. And the benefits are many.
In the simplest terms, trade associations exist to support professionals within a specific industry. The American Medical Association supports physicians, medical residents, and medical students; the National Association of Manufacturers supports manufacturers across all industries; and the National Association of Home Builders supports residential home builders and remodelers. There pretty much is an association for every profession (teachers, financial planners, electricians), interest (environment, animal welfare, retirement), and hobby (home brewing, vehicle restoration, hunting).
Within our industry, the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) supports professionals across the entire wood flooring supply chain: manufacturers, distributors, retailers, contractors, inspectors, and more. This is different from most associations that focus only on one member segment because it brings together all member types to improve and grow the industry as a whole, for the benefit of all.
Still, many businesses hesitate to join a trade association because they think they already know everything they need to know, they’re already successful, or they just don’t understand how an association could help their business. But whether you’re an experienced installer, a seasoned inspector, a diversified distributor, a growing retailer, an established manufacturer, or brand new to the industry, if you’re part of the wood flooring industry, joining the NWFA can be one of the smartest professional decisions you make. Here’s why.
KNOWLEDGE
Every industry must evolve to survive, and the wood flooring industry is no exception. New tools, products, technologies, standards, regulations, and trends can impact your business in ways you might not anticipate. Trade associations like the NWFA provide access to timely information via skills training, professional certifications, technical resources, industry data, and more, so that you stay informed to avoid costly errors. The collective knowledge of the entire industry, working together, provides more peace of mind than can be accomplished alone.
CREDIBILITY
Belonging to a trade association provides professional credibility with both B2B and B2C audiences. NWFA members have access to the only standards recognized worldwide for wood flooring manufacturing, sales, installation, and repair. Membership with the NWFA
establishes your commitment to your profession, while engagement through hands-on skills training, certification programs, and manufacturing standards differentiates you from your competition and strengthens your brand. In an industry where trust matters, professional credibility is a powerful asset.
NETWORKING
Trade associations bring together a diverse group of individuals from different areas, backgrounds, and experiences. For NWFA members, this includes contractors, inspectors, distributors, retailers, manufacturers, and others from around the world to share information and learn from each other. Through the Wood Flooring Expo, committees,
task forces, training events, workshops, social media, and more, NWFA members build relationships that lead to new business, referrals, mentoring, and problem-solving. These connections build your professional network.
GROWTH
Providing the services your business needs to grow is a major focus of trade associations. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, and with a diverse membership like the NWFA’s, each member type has a different growth need. For manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, it may be economic data, member directories, or industry trends. For contractors and inspectors, it might be skills training, business education, or job leads. Whatever the need, trade associations provide timely, relevant services to help open doors for you that might otherwise stay closed.
ADVOCACY
Trade associations advocate on behalf of their members with regulators, standards providers, and policymakers. NWFA members form a collective voice that helps shape the wood flooring industry by establishing and updating industry standards, providing input to legislators on safety and environmental regulations, and promoting fair business practices that level the global playing field. NWFA collaborates with other hardwood and flooring associations to advance the needs of our members and our industry. Working
together, we can influence and shape our industry’s future.
SAVINGS
One of the benefits offered by trade associations that can be utilized immediately is the savings they provide. For NWFA contractor and inspector members, more than $10,000 in savings are available on products they use in their business every day: wood flooring,
finish, safety equipment, moisture meters, and more. For all NWFA members, other savings are available as well, including discounts on fuel, propane, shipping, freight, payment processing, customer financing, cellular services, office supplies, and more. These savings
offset the cost of membership dues many times over.
COMMUNITY
Trade associations create a sense of community. NWFA members are supported
by a group of like-minded professionals who understand their business needs and
challenges because they have them too – supply shortages, employee recruiting,
scheduling issues, software needs, contract negotiation, maintaining profitability,
moisture issues, tariffs, and more. Chances are your business challenges have been
experienced, and solved, by other members. Whatever your professional needs may be,
NWFA has the resources and contacts to help you resolve them.
INVESTMENT
Many people view association membership as just another expense, but joining NWFA
is an investment in your business and your future. The industry knowledge you gain,
the professional credibility you establish, the peer network you build, the business growth
you experience, the industry advocacy you help shape, the savings you receive, and the
collective community you help build all contribute to your personal and professional growth. Where else can you spend just a few hundred dollars a year and get so much in return? Invest in your business. Renew or join today. Learn how at nwfa.org/membership.
Anita Howard is the membership and Expo officer for the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis, Missouri. She can be reached at anita.howard@nwfa.org.
