THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO JOIN THE "NEW"! 

north-american association of uniform manufacturers & distributors

Download a Membership Application:
Click link here: 1011mbrapp


NAUMD IS THE "GO-TO" ORGANIZATION! MEMBERSHIP HELPS YOU TO REMAIN PROFITABLE IN THE UNIFORM IMAGEWEAR INDUSTRY - DEALER or SUPPLIER!

If you are a mover & shaker in the Uniform/Imagewear industry there is no time like the present to take advantage of ALL NAUMD has to offer! Join the leaders who know that NAUMD provides significant advantages, benefits and programs to keep YOUR company ahead of the pack and remaining successful -even in this economy! Join today!

Membership Value Proposition Power Point Presentation
See an informative Power Point Presentation from the 2009 NAUMD Convention on ALL NAUMD offers you and your company!
Click here: NAUMD MbrPro 09.pdf

WHAT KIND OF ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD JOIN?
*Ad Specialties, *Band, *EMS Services, * Fire Services,  Food Service Apparel, *Hospitality Apparel,, *Image Apparel, * Industrial Apparel, *Medical Apparel *Military Apparel, *Postal Uniform, * Public Safety, *School Uniforms, *Security Services, Uniform Accessories

WHAT OTHER KINDS OF ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD JOIN:
*Automation Systems, *Consultants (see information on Consultant Membership Below), *Embroidery Systems, *Eyewear, *Fabric Manufacturers, *Fabric Enhancement Products, *Footwear, *Identification Badges/Accessories, *Permanent Crease Systems, *Promotional Products, *Retail Systems, *Softwear Products & Services, *Transfers & Application Systems, *Uniform Accessories and more!

(Need to know more? See testimonials and more by scrolling below - or just complete the application and begin to enjoy membership benefits TODAY!)

HOW TO JOIN....
1.  Download Membership Application above
2.  Complete and Fax to 212.736.3013 or
2.  Mail to:   336 West 37th Street - Suite 370, New York, NY 10018 Attn: Membership Department  

Join Today and Receive:
* FREE Employee Manual Template
* Copy of the '09 NAUMD Official Guide (Supplier Contact Information Listings) *FREE Latest Edition of Membership Directory & Resource Guide!
* Immediate access to NAUMD Partner Programs including:        
    - NAUMD/NAW Health Insurance Programs        
    - NAUMD/Staples Office Supply Discount Program        
    - NAUMD/ Growth Dynamics Sales Hire Testing Programs        
    - NAUMD/ Heartland Merchant Services Programs        
    - NAUMD/ Dun & Bradstreet Discount Programs   


NAUMD Membership:  Why it’s more important than ever!   
“Why should I join the NAUMD?”  “Why should I remain a member?” 

 Roger Heldman - NAUMD Chairman 2009-10

As NAUMD Chairman, I have been asked these questions on many occasions.  Given the current economic climate, these questions   have taken on renewed significance. 

They may also be on the minds of some who are reading this.   Across the country, companies and their customers are in savings mode, a response to the economic uncertainties of the times.  As our own industry looks for ways to streamline costs, some may be tempted to have their NAUMD membership lapse, while others may defer membership altogether.    This would be a mistake. 

NAUMD membership has never been more vital to a businesses long term economic health, especially now as we strive to get through what could arguably be the most challenging period of our generation.  The current economic crisis reaches far beyond one company or even the North American border, demanding proactive solutions to a global dilemma - solutions which can be found, in part, through active participation in NAUMD.  Not being a member during this period means not investing in your business, and not investing in your business means not being prepared for what lies ahead.   What does the NAUMD provide to its members? 

Above all, the association serves as a forum to help run your business better. It gives members the means by which to communicate more effectively with others in the industry.  It arms companies with the tools to navigate the complexities of doing business in the uniform industry and offers creative solutions to those concerns.  And finally, it teaches individuals how to grow their businesses by providing product information, opportunities for professional development, and programs that work to reduce the operating costs of running a business.   How are these accomplished?  In a number of ways:   

Networking:
You Can’t Do Business Without It.   In business as in life, you can’t go it alone, and this is particularly true of the ultimate business tool – networking.  Membership in the NAUMD provides entrée to THE leaders in each market segment, whether at the convention, mid-year meetings or on a day-to-day basis through a simple phone call.  Staying in touch with business associates has always been important, but its prominence is heightened right now.   The Big Picture. 

Being part of the NAUMD means having access to new product information and the latest apparel trends before your competitors.  Attending the convention allows you to meet new vendors while cementing relationships with old ones.  Traveling to regional meetings offers valuable insights to opportunities throughout North America.  In short, membership gets you out of your comfort zone, and gives an individual a broader industry perspective, an important element which could help grow or jumpstart your business.  

Professional Development: 
In recent years, the association has stepped up the educational component of it programming by offering quality, issues-oriented professional development seminars that further an individual’s understanding of the uniform marketplace and bring added value to membership.  Conducted throughout the year and at the convention, the range of topics has been broad, covering, among others, product liability, employee relations and effective business management tactics.  Industry-specific seminars have tackled trends in the imagewear marketplace, doing business with the USPS, and fulfilling the needs of the armed services.   

For 2009, the NAUMD plans to further strengthen its commitment to professional development by offering a slate of programming that speaks to the concerns of today’s industry executive.  Topics include business succession planning, recruiting superior sales professionals, and enhancing the supplier/dealer relationship.  

Brand Enhancement: 
For several years, the association has worked to rebuild its brand in order to increase its recognition and prestige throughout the industry and beyond.  The re-branding efforts currently underway have already resulted in a higher association prominence and greater industry profile, which, in turn, benefits members as they deal with customers, government agencies or the media.    For those looking to brand their own businesses, what better vehicle than the NAUMD and its two marketing programs, the Best Dressed Law Enforcement Competition and Image of the Year Awards?  Both promote the contributions of suppliers to the end-user’s winning programs, and both are media favorites.  More importantly, customers appreciate the recognition and often refer other end users to their winning suppliers.      

 The Bottom Line:  Cost-Saving Solutions that Add Value!  
Being an NAUMD member actually saves you money in the long run.  How?  All members enjoy a substantial package of benefits, including complimentary legal advice, group health insurance, public relations and marketing tactics, and employee guidelines to help run your business more efficiently.  Purchasing any of these services alone might be cost prohibitive for some companies, but as an NAUMD member, they’re included with the price of membership.   

   Throughout the years, we have faced a number of hurdles, including industry consolidation, offshore manufacturing and government regulations, with the net result being a more challenging business environment.  Yet we have been able to compete in such a turbulent marketplace due to our ability to adapt, the skills we possess and our commitment to providing the customer with a quality product and an unmatched level of service.        

And we have also been able to compete because of our affiliation with the NAUMD. The association is a place where business relationships are nurtured, created and enhanced, where ideas and information is exchanged, and where knowledge can be turned into profit.  Ours is an industry like no other, and no one understands this better than the NAUMD.     

As I said earlier, we face what could be the most the most challenging period of our time.  I take comfort knowing that my business is better equipped to meet these challenges because it is an NAUMD member.  You should too.   I wish you profitability in 2009 and beyond.
Roger Heldman
Blumenthal Uniforms Company Inc. /2009-10 NAUMD Chairman

NOTE: LIMITATIONS OF NAUMD CONSULTANT MEMBERSHIP:
NAUMD Consultant Membership is an individual membership and provides you, and only you, with all the services and benefits NAUMD offers. NAUMD Consultant Membership was created for Image Apparel Designers, Color Consultants and others who consult with NAUMD Members on various aspects of uniform program development.   All registrations for NAUMD event participation by NAUMD Consultant Members are the same as representatives of “Associate Member” Companies and as such must pay the appropriate related fees. Consultant members may NOT participate on active NAUMD Committees, exhibit in the Association's Exposition or receive Minutes of any of the Committee's Meetings.   Independent Sales Representatives are unfortunately NOT eligible for Consultant Membership. If there are others in your organization who might also benefit from Consultant Membership in NAUMD they must also join as a Consultant Member in order to take advantage of them!  Consultant Membership offers the lowest possible membership dues but still provides many of the benefits members in other categories enjoy. Consultant members may always upgrade their membership for "Associate Member" status at any time, with payment in full for the variance between Associate and Consultant Dues.

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