We all know there is strength in numbers and that in the company of people who share our interests and concerns we tend to learn and grow. Associations offer the fertile ground of friendship and knowledge, irrigated by founts of learning, that bring forth blossoms of enduring relationships and improved business acumen. Joining a floor covering association—local and national— is a sound business move that yields dividends far beyond the investment. But good things don’t happen in a vacuum; membership brings responsibility and responsibility brings rewards. Think about your involvement in simple terms: What are you willing to put into an association membership, and what do you want in return?

Among the many advantages of being part of an association is that it affords access to industry leaders, an opportunity that might otherwise be rare. As guest speakers, on panels and in forums, industry executives discuss and debate issues and readily exchange thoughts with association members. Those learning experiences are invaluable to retailers, as are the meetings with product demonstrations, economists and marketing experts. A program committee plans and executes interesting sessions and the members are the beneficiaries—all they have to do is show up and learn.

Attending association meetings and other activities—golf outings, dinner-dances, holiday celebrations—often produce lasting social benefits. Lifelong friendships are not uncommon among association members and frequently they continue through the retirement years. Such relationships are proportionate to the time and effort one invests in the association, building it and partnering with fellow members. It takes a while. There may not be immediate gratification but it’s a worthwhile journey and, in the end, fulfilling.

Local associations have been in existence for nearly a century. Eighty years ago, mostly salesmen populated the floor covering clubs and department stores were more active than specialty stores. In a Nov. 1, 1923, trade publication there is a photo of the semi-annual banquet of the New England Carpet Club at the American House in Boston. The group was formed on Feb. 2 that year and announced an agenda of “a picnic at Nantasket Beach, a golf tournament and some informal games, monthly meetings, and semi-annual banquets.” Within six weeks it had 250 members and soon grew to more than 400.

Today, we must engender the same enthusiasm and commitment they displayed back then because the dynamics have changed and our reliance on each other is more urgent. As the industry evolved so did the retail community and there emerged the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the largest and most powerful retail advocacy group in the country, and probably the world. Most local associations are affiliates of the WFCA and as such are recipients of many additional benefits. Beyond the local association is the broad umbrella of the WFCA that covers the retailer in virtually every aspect of business.

It is inconceivable to me that a retailer would not be a member of the WFCA, especially in these difficult times when one needs all the help he can get and can get all the help he needs. The list of advantages is vast, but let me name a few: offers trade scholarships of $500 to be used for education in the industry; provides a Web site to educate and direct the consumer to local retailers; creates Web sites for retailers; maintains a legislative counsel in Washington, D.C., to keep retailers apprised of new laws and regulations; makes available a Financial Management Report that assists retailers in gauging their business performance, and many education events, certification programs and so much more. Get into an association and feel the power.