NARMS International Announces Individual Membership Opportunities

Stevens Point, WI . Action by the board of directors of NARMS International last week resulted in a by-law change that will allow for individual memberships in the international trade association. Since its origin in 1996, NARMS involvement has been limited to company memberships but now is seeking to expand its scope and reach as it further develops as a collaborative center point for the retailing industry.

The new categorical membership allows for any individual not associated with an active member firm or corporation and is engaged or has an interest in the business of providing merchandising services, manufacturing, retailing or the provision of supplies, equipment, goods or services within the retail industry. Anyone working for or having a formal relationship with a current or prospective member company (whether incorporated or LLC) would not be eligible for the individual type membership.

What this means is that merchandisers, students, researchers, professors, retired retail marketing professionals or persons in transition and any other independent retail service personnel with a genuine interest in staying closely involved with and learning about the retailing industry may be eligible for individual membership in NARMS. For only US $49.95 per year, these individuals will receive a subscription to NARMS Today; earn a members discount on attendance at the annual NARMS Spring Conference; have free access to monthly NARMS Webinars highlighting retailing industry topics and to the NARMS Info-Share Library; access to Merchandising/Sampling Proficiency Tests, podcasts and use of the ever-expanding resources available at www.narms.com website. All totaled, these varied benefits fully utilized would easily amass a value in excess of $3,000.

NARMS 526 member companies perform well over $3 billion in merchandising services, sales marketing, event marketing, demonstration and other retail services annually. The association promotes and establishes industry standards and provides critical industry research studies and educational information about the industry while acting as a voice for its diverse membership of service providers, manufacturers and retailers. NARMS represents all classes of trade including: grocery, drug, mass, department, home & building centers, computer & office supply, electronic, value retailers, specialty and convenience retailers. Additional NARMS information is available at www.narms.com, including information about the 14th NARMS Spring Conference & Exposition at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO on April 4-7, 2009.

ABOUT NARMS
NARMS’ 516 member companies perform well over $3 billion in merchandising services, sales marketing, event marketing, demonstration and other retail services annually. The association promotes and establishes industry standards and provides critical industry research studies and educational information about the industry while acting as a voice for its diverse membership of service providers, manufacturers and retailers. NARMS represents all classes of trade including: grocery, drug, mass, department, home & building centers, computer & office supply, electronic, value retailers, specialty and convenience retailers. Additional NARMS information is available at HYPERLINK “http://www.narms.com” www.narms.com, including information about the 14th NARMS Spring Conference & Exposition at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO on April 4-7, 2009.

Contact:
Ken McKenzie
Vice President
National Association for Retail Marketing Services
2417 Post Road
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 1 888 526-2767
FAX: 1 715 342 1943
kmckenzie@narms.com