Benefits of Membership:

Impact National Postal Policy and other Public Policy matters that directly hit your bottom line: Despite its relatively short history, ACMA has a proven track record of impact. As the only trade group owned by and focused solely on cataloging, our mandate is clear:  what is best for the catalog industry … now, and in the future.  ACMA has proven access and effectiveness but our success is in direct proportion to the number of companies who join and get involved. 

Participation: ACMA has a variety of ways to get involved, let us know your interests. We align functional skills and company interests with association needs and our current program of work. Members participate in postage rate policy, mailing standards and technical characteristics, membership development, testifying before various bodies including the USPS Regulator and Congress, public relations, trade outreach, strategic planning and association governance, to name a few. We are a member-driven organization and our continued success is due to your leadership and active involvement.

Direct Input for Your Company’s Needs:  As a member, your requirements go directly into the mix. The catalog industry is diverse: mail plans, marketing campaigns, company economics, merchandise, business models and strategy all vary greatly.  It is impossible for ACMA to routinely consider direct input from non-members.  Make sure your distinct interests and needs are represented.  We issue questionnaires to solicit information about your company, mail plan, marketing operations or financial results and maintain an ongoing dialog on issues of concern to you. This allows us to better follow industry developments, focus on topics of interest to our members, and advise policy makers on the current needs of the catalog industry. (All proprietary member information is strictly confidential.)  ACMA members have a direct voice in policy both in national policy and association priorities. Make sure we are informed about your needs so we can represent them.

Other Noteworthy Benefits

•  Access to the member-only side of the ACMA website (www.catalogmailers.org) with individual password access for as many associates from the same company as you desire.

• Periodic E-Newsletter providing notice of developments affecting the entire catalog industry.

• Access to back copies of all published materials (many not available on the public side of our website) in the special member-only restricted access side of our website (special log in required).

• Periodic exclusive “member only” email updates providing details from Washington that catalogers want to know. These updates typically contain more depth than circulated in our “E-Newsletter” which is available to the entire catalog industry, providing you with information you need to know in a concise format without the time consumed to sift through lengthy documents not specifically focused on catalogers.

• Periodic, needs driven “Technical Bulletins” on specific mailing issues of interest to catalogers. Keep informed on the major postal news affecting mailpiece design and presentment without having to wade through mountains of unfathomable details!

• Summaries of major mail industry events such as the National Postal Forum and Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) meetings.

• Customized solutions-oriented assistance not available anywhere else.  Let’s face it, the catalog industry is unique.  Sometimes companies have challenges to address and they do not know where to turn. In its short but totally focused history, ACMA has amassed considerable information on the catalog industry not being collected any where else. ACMA provides a valuable resource of referrals, leads, network and expertise with a catalog only focus.

• Authorized use of the “ACMA” logo in all catalogs and sales collateral.

• Back-link from a dot-org website to your company url to improve your company rankings in natural search standings.

• Ability to participate on any standing or ad hoc committee to become more involved in the advocacy work of our industry.

• Discounted attendance from non-member cost at ACMA conferences, meetings and Forums.

• Complimentary membership upon request in the National Mail Order Association and on request a free electronic subscription to the monthly Direct Marketing Digest, a $99.⁰⁰ annual value.

• Plus a special mailer-focused news and education website at no additional cost (a $1,000 to $10,000 value). Ask us about the details!
  

  
  
  5 Reasons Why You Can't Afford Not to Join ACMA
  

• Despite its relatively short history, ACMA has a proven track record of impact. It’s the only such entity owned by and focused solely on catalog mailers’ interests. Members share their own requirements as catalog mailers, which go directly into the ACMA’s mix of input to postal and other public policy decision-makers for change in catalogers’ best interests.

• Member gain access to periodic, exclusive “member only” email updates providing details from Washington that catalogers need to know. These updates often contain “heads-up” alerts of postal and other public policy matters to give members a chance to plan ahead for change. Perhaps the most punishing blow to so many catalog mailers from the 2007 postal rate increase was how it caught so many by surprise. With these kinds of member updates, members will no longer be caught off-guard like that.

• On a broader level, ACMA membership acts as your own insurance policy. ACMA is the only organization fighting for catalog mailers’ best interests, whereas other organizations have myriad other interests they need to give equal, and often greater, attention to. Because ACMA is still in start-up mode with less than 100 members, joining the association will help it grow and thrive, all on your behalf.

• A member input contribution policy that’s open to all. Although ACMA policy is governed by a board of directors, the association’s policy is to take any and all member input very seriously. Members speak, the association listens and acts promptly.

• A chance to network with other ACMA catalog members. Catalog mailers speak their own “language." They have unique needs and most are willing to share their ideas and concerns with other catalogers. A membership with ACMA provides this forum.
  

***The chief benefit of ACMA membership is staying informed and knowing that you are doing something to help influence the external environment affecting cataloger success.  This is your bottom line.***

Avoid surprises!  What can a massive change in your postal cost mean for the health of your company?  What would happen if you suddenly had to conform to an ill-considered regulation that fundamentally altered your economics but one which you had not prior warning on and zero input? Think another massive postal rate increase for catalogers cannot happen again?  The rate of new regulation and other Washington mandates is accelerating.  Give yourself a fighting chance.  Join ACMA today.

Just as you would not consider running your business without insurance, ACMA membership is something you simply cannot afford to be without.  Your membership does make a difference.  Help catalogers get to the critical mass necessary to protect your economic future.  We cannot do it without you.  This is YOUR association and YOUR future.  Please join today!