New Lawyer Trade Association

The Video Game Bar Association is now open for business.  This is for attorneys who have two years experience working for video game law. The board is comprised of a couple in-house counsel, attorneys at big firms handling this work as well as a solo.

This Nolo blog post suggests that this organization isn’t for attorneys looking to get started in the field but I wouldn’t rule that out. First, the association should reach out to law schools and Barrister groups to encourage the next generation to get involved. This is probably a godsend to young attorneys with a video game obsession as a way to combine something they love with the practice of law. And if they start a newsletter, blog or journal, they will need and want content which maybe an opportunity for attorneys who want exposure to join in.

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Trade associations: Craft & Hobbies

Craft & Hobby Association

http://www.hobby.org/research.html

Overview: In early 2004, the two most successful organizations serving the craft and hobby industry, the Hobby Industry Association (HIA) and the Association of Crafts & Creative Industries (ACCI), joined together to form the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA). Together as CHA, the new Association forms a single more dynamic and powerful force to drive the craft industry into the future.

Associate members? Yes, the cost ranges from $400 to $10,000 depending on supplier revenue.

Public membership directory? No, looks like its hidden behind a members only section. “D”

National conference?  Yes, there is a show in Orange County in July.  They have a website dedicated to the event and as yet there isn’t much information but look like there will be as the event draws nearer. “B”

Chapters?  Doesn’t look like it. “D”

Industry news and reports?  They do provide research and powerpoint presentations on the public site.  The trade journal “Portfolio” is only available to members. “C+”

Glossary? No “D”

Provides a sense of the industry?  Somewhat.  There aren’t a lot of resources available and I didn’t get a sense of which crafts and hobbies were the most popular.  The site doesn’t really get into individual areas but it does have decent overview resources. “C+”

Overall:  Pretty weak.  Looks like they haven’t done much to the site since they re-launched it after the two associations came together.  I think the conference website when its closer to the show will give a better sense of the industry. “C+”

Trade Association Thursdays: Socks etc.

The Hosiery Association:

http://www.hosieryassociation.com

Overview:THA is the only national trade association representing the manufacturers of more than 85 percent of the hosiery produced in America.

Associate members? Yes, you can join as a supplier. “B-“

Public membership directory? Yes, it provides an excellent directory by product and supplier and includes contact information and a clear, useful description of the company and its products. “A”

National conference? Yes and non-members can attend for a bit more money.  The agenda is available online and gives a good idea of the issues and key people involved in the industry.  The material is downloadable as separate word documents which is a bit clunky.  “B+”

Chapters?  Yes, but detailed information is available only to members.  “C+”

Industry news or reports?  They produce a periodical and back issues are available for free on the website but the most recent is from 2007.  Its not clear if members have access to more recent issues.   They also provide press releases as well but I didn’t find any overview of the industry; basic facts and statistics. “B-“

Glossary: Yes and its very good and detailed. “A”

Provides a sense of the industry?  Yes, the membership directory is very useful as is the breakdown of various sectors within the industry.  The back copies of the trade publication are also helpful as is the glossary and other pieces about different product lines.  I wish there was more about the industry itself but that’s a small quibble. “B+”

Overall: Lots of good information but the site is difficult to navigate.  Different information is provided based on who you are and that is confusing and counterproductive.  “News and events”  is just events and contains no links to the event agenda or brochure and “news” is actually found in the press release section under the media tab.  “B-“

PDF version of report card available here:

American Beverage Association’s new blog: why?

I just got an announcement about this new blog although there have been posts since Jan. 6th.  My first question is why?  Just because you can blog doesn’t mean you should. 

*I don’t like anonymous blogs.  ABA isn’t “blogging” they have a person(s) doing it for them.  Take this section of a post for example:

“He’s a good guy. A smart guy. A caring guy. And clearly he can convey complicated medical issues in terms the common guy or gal can comprehend. “

When an entity blogs in the style of a precocious teenager, I want to know who it is, see their photo and their Facebook profile. 

*Their Mission statement is: “Welcome to Sip & Savor – our new blog about what’s happening at the intersection between our industry’s beverages and your daily lives.”  Yet most of the blog entries have had little to do with beverages, the beverage industry or the beverage consumer but policies issues between New York Governor Patterson and Obama.  So I return to my question, “why?”

*Finally, there is the small issue of branding.  You give your blog a name like “Sip & Savor,” you send out press releases about your blog, “Sip & Savor” but no where on the blog do you even feature the name, even going to the extreme of having a category for postings called “ABA Blog.” 

I don’t get it.  I’ve issued a report card on the association which echos my feelings about the blog.  Why is a trade association whose members are retailers and manufacturers so focused (badly I would say) on consumers?  Read American Beverage Association Report Card to find out more.

Trade Association Thursday:Groceries

With the announcement this week of a new president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association and with our focus on the food industry, this seemed the perfect candidate for today’s association report card.

http://www.gmabrands.com/

Overview:  represents the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer products companies.

Associate membership?  Yes and also affiliate membership as well.  Have to call to find out membership price. “B”

Membership directory public?  They provide the names of members but link out to their websites.  “B-”

Conferences and events?  Not clear that they have a single national conference but they have several large conference along with workshops  “B-”

Subchapters? Doesn’t appear to have them.  “D”

Industry reports, information news?  Excellent for full reports, news items and public policy concerns.  “A”

Glossary?  There isn’t a single glossary but the Food Supply Chain Handbook had a list of acronyms.  “C”

What sense does it give you of the industry?  I don’t think the association’s messaging is super clear.  They don’t feature a single mission statement on the website and instead cover a range of issues that makes the association’s priorities and direction somewhat unclear.  However, unlike the organic food association, this one doesn’t waste time with consumers.  It is very focused on the industry and providing a wealth of information about the grocery industry issues and workings.  “B”

Overall:  Very information rich website.  A great resource.  “B+”

Trade Association Thursday AeA:

Does it run Vista?

Tech Trade Association Mergers
The Tough business environment is taking toll on this industries associations.  The largest is AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) and it is the subject of today’s report card.

http://www.aeanet.org

Overview: Its the largest association of high tech companies in the US with more than 2,500 companies representing 1.8 million employees.  Major industry sectors are software, semiconductors and telecommunications.
1.  Allow associate memberships?  Yes and they will work with you on your business and products description for their membership directory. As its not clear from the website the eligibility, costs and benefits, I’ll give them a “B-”
2.  Make membership directory public? Yes, though they shield revenue number etc from non-members they provide a good product and services description. “B”
3.  Active national conference? Yes, they have many national conferences. “A-”
4.  Subchapter or regional associations? Yes but website isn’t forthcoming on numbers of regional chapters but they do have specific websites for the chapters. “B”
5.  Industry reports, information, news?  They charge for industry reports but they provide key findings and statistics for free.  They also have good news releases on economic issues facing the tech industry.  “B+”
6.  Glossary of industry terms? Doesn’t appear so.  “F”
7.  What sense of the industry and the people in it?  Good information on companies and issues but most of the contact information requires membership. “B-”
Overall rating,  “B”  Rich content even if not a member but they are definitely give non-members just a small slice of their riches.

Love $$ Boat

 

Wow, the cruise-line industry is a $22 billion business!  Dunno, that surprises me.

Check out this report prepared for the Cruise Line International Association.  This is a reminder that when you are searching for industry information don’t forget to utilize industry and trade association websites.  Often lots of good stuff for free.  Oh, don’t you think the cruise ship cutting through the open water they use on the first page of the report is a result of bad photoshop?  Isn’t there a good pic of the Love Boat with crew in the public domain?  Come on guys, you can do better than that!