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THE BENEFITS OF BELONGING
By Wayne Sneva, CEO/President
- EGE System Sun Control, Inc.
A company
owner recently asked me, “Why should my company join the WCPA? I
have better things to do with my
hard-earned money." The rhetorical question and remark caught me
a bit off guard. I couldn't respond
under the pressure of the moment, but it did get me thinking.
While there
are many specific, direct benefits that come with joining the WCPA,
the first reason our company belongs is "The Bigger Picture." It
sounds a little esoteric perhaps. But it is one of the big reasons
why we are involved in the organization. We don't know of a better
way to see "the Bigger Picture" in the canvas and fabrics products
industry than through involvement in the WCPA. Here, we meet
suppliers, manufacturers, fabricators, allies, and competitors.
Here, we encounter new and challenging ideas, meet many very
interesting people, and discover numerous companies with a shared
enthusiasm for and vision for growing our industry into the best
that it can be.
The annual WCPA convention and expo is the best place we can bring a new
employee to begin to grasp a larger perspective on
his/her daily job, on his/her value to our company, and even
sometimes on his/her contribution to society as a whole.
Belonging to
a great company and a great organization like the WCPA creates a
special
kind of pride and confidence in our
employees. "The Bigger Picture" makes a good employee
better. They stand a little taller and
shoot a little straighter when they return from a
WCPA event.
How else do
you motivate yourself and your employees at a deeper level? How
else do
you help them maintain pride and
confidence in their work?
Here's the list of some other fabulous
benefits you get from belonging to the WCPA.
MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVE PROGRAM
In cooperation with Supplier Members,
the Association offers coupons and valuable discounts on products.
Taking advantage of these makes WCPA membership better than free.
FORM & FABRIC MAGAZINE
Three times each year this full-color
magazine brings industry information and news to keep companies
and readers informed on the issues of the day.
WCPA MEMBER DIRECTORY
Association members are listed in an
annual directory available for distribution to architects,
designers, contractors, marine brokers, and other user groups.
WCPA ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXPO
The association sponsors an annual
convention and expo for all members to meet and discuss important
industry issues. Seminars provide advanced learning opportunities.
REGIONAL MEETINGS
The Association has established
Regional structures to afford members greater opportunities to
work together on issues facing a local or regional jurisdiction.
AWARD COMPETITION & RECOGNITION
The Association annually recognizes
companies for their craftsmanship and professional work. Photo
entries are judged by industry peers and winners presented award
plaques in numerous different classifications of work.
AFFILIATION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL
FABRICS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL (IFAI)
The WCPA operates as an independent
zone of the IFAI and benefits from their programs and influence in
several ways:
1) Addressing many larger issues in
the industry, society, and world.
2) Providing professional
certification programs and standards for individuals
within the industry.
3) Promoting educational materials and
programs for governmental officials.
For us and our company, the money
spent on involvement in the WCPA provides a wealth
of returns far beyond our investment.
If you don't believe me, I dare you to give it a try
for a year or two! |
