Five Reasons to Be a SouthWestern Association Member

As your industry association, SouthWestern is able to help retailers with a wide range of important issues. Below are just a few of the ways we can help dealers. Please remember to call SouthWestern first with business-related problems or questions. With a network of professionals working in a variety of business-related industries, SouthWestern can find the answers and help you run an efficient and profitable business.

1. Resources you can use.
2. Lifelong learning opportunities.
3. Legislative and regulatory data
4. Connection to the industry
5. Creates the future.

• Resources you can use.
  Your association is equipped to handle your questions and calls for specialized help and industry information. No matter the on-the-job challenge you’re facing, count on your association to respond quickly and aptly. Western Association has a wide variety of resources at its fingertips to help keep you current and competitive. And it can even tap its members for extra, expert advise.

• Lifelong learning opportunities.
  No one can match your Association’s educational advantages. Through workshops, seminars, and conferences, you have a special "pipeline" to new industry techniques and ideas. Your SouthWestern Convention held each year in February offers dealers the opportunity to hear some of the top industry speakers and participate in important business-related discussions.

• Legislative and regulatory data.
  Your association monitors governmental developments likely to affect the success - perhaps even the survival - of your company. Rely on your association to carefully track issues in the legislature, courts, and regulatory agencies, and then translate these complicated laws and regulations for you into understandable terms. SouthWestern Association has a full-time legislative director working in Jefferson City, Mo. to track legislation in the Missouri state capital. SouthWestern also has legislative directors in Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arkansas to track legislation in those states. Over the years, your association has been successful in passing important legislation benefiting small business. SouthWestern members are also assisted by legislative directors in Washington to monitor federal legislation.
  
  SouthWestern members can also benefit from the relationship your association has built with Regulatory Consultants, Inc. (RCI). The experts employed by this firm can help members understand the increasingly complicated maze of governmental regulations mandated for equipment and hardware businesses. Remember to call your association first with any regulatory questions or problem and we will see that action is taken immediately through SouthWestern’s partnership with RCI.

• Connection to the industry
  When you’re faced with job challengers unique to your industry, it’s smart to talk and network with colleagues who’ve lived your experiences. Associations hold the collective wisdom of members of all sizes and financial resources. Swap ideas and compare notes with fellow members at association events. Or even pursue ongoing friendships with mentors and counterparts alike. SouthWestern Association sponsors area dealer meetings throughout our trade territory. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity for dealers to exchange ideas and keep abreast of industry developments and association news.

• Creates the future
  Today there’s no room for surprises in business. You have to be prepared for challenges to come so you can manage them. Your association helps identify those challengers for members, and helps you anticipate and organize ways to overcome them.

 

Contact Jeff Flora with your comments and suggestions.