July 2007 / Issue 15
Chairman's Message
We Appreciate Your Membership
By Kay Schwichtenberg
Chairman of the Board, APPMA
As Chairman of the Board for APPMA, and on behalf of the Board and APPMA Staff, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing to be a member of our Association. As a member myself, I have often put to use the member benefits I enjoy to assist in various aspects of doing business.
When considering the positives to being a member, one’s thoughts obviously turn immediately to the Show. The opportunity to exhibit at Global Pet Expo is in itself an invaluable aspect of membership. That being said, APPMA also offers numerous publications and programs that provide support that can be crucial to the success of your business.
In the past few months, you have received two publications - The 2007-2008 APPMA National Pet Owners Survey and the newly updated Member Resource Guide. Both are valuable resources, and are provided to you as a member benefit. The Survey has quickly become a coveted tool for media around the globe when covering pet-related stories. The investment community, which cannot help but notice our booming industry, has also taken note of The Survey. Above all, we know that our members use the data when considering new product development, when making decisions on distribution strategy, and any time they need the most comprehensive information available on the lifestyle and spending trends of pet owners. This survey is truly priceless.
The Member Resource Guide provides a comprehensive overview of your membership benefits and opportunities including resources for legislative information and assistance, information about public relations, the Jules Schwimmer Scholarship Program, export assistance, promotional opportunities, and discounts on freight and insurance. Basically it’s your guide to everything APPMA. It gives you a direct contact to all our departments so that you know who to call whenever you need assistance with Global Pet Expo, government affairs or just membership in general!
With more than 950 members, and that number continues to grow impressively every year, I know that I am not alone in seeing the value that APPMA brings. Again, I thank you for your continued membership with APPMA, and welcome you to contact me if ever you have questions about the Association. If you have any questions related to your membership benefits, please do not hesitate to contact APPMA’s Senior Director of Member Relations & Business Development, Anne Ferrante at 203.532.3602 or aferrante@appma.org.