Author:
Cassie Scott
ATA-member retailers and manufacturers compose about 80 percent of the ATA’s entire membership. Meanwhile, the ATA’s supporting members – typically service organizations – comprise 3 percent of the membership, but they tailor to 100 percent of the ATA’s members.
The ATA’s bylaws refer to supporting members as corporations, partnerships and other entities that work with or support parties in the archery and bowhunting industry, as well as the hunting, shooting and outdoor industry. ATA’s supporting members include buying groups, advertising agencies, printing and production companies, and support service companies such as law firms, insurance groups, accounting firms, computer and software companies, and others.
Many supporting organizations join the ATA and become an ATA-member service provider to show industry support, grow bowhunting and help companies succeed.
ORIS Intelligence is a software company providing manufacturers with information about where their products are being sold. Photo Credit: ORIS Intelligence
For example, ORIS Intelligence, a software company that provides actionable insights that preserves pricing integrity for manufacturers, helps brands identify where their products are being sold online – and at what price – to combat violators of minimum advertised pricing policies. By maintaining pricing consistency across channels, ORIS helps manufacturers create a unified sales message to give customers a consistent shopping experience whether they buy online, in-store or from a catalog.
“We recognize that for many manufacturers, managing MAP may be misunderstood, so we’re focused on delivering near real-time insights into what is happening online, including where their product is being sold and who is selling it,” said Justin Meats, chief product officer at ORIS. “Protecting the seller and customer relationships are critical because pricing consistency truly impacts a manufacturers’ bottom line and brand longevity.”
ORIS Intelligence has been an ATA member for three years. Visit their website or call (614) 401-6310 to learn more about their services, or to schedule a product demonstration.
Although ORIS Intelligence doesn’t help companies create MAP policies, other supporting member organizations do, such as law firms like Barnes & Thornburg LLP.
“We’re a national, full-service firm, so the support we provide really runs the gamut,” said Amber Bollman, business development manager for Barnes & Thornburg LLP. “We provide legal and business counseling services. Our lawyers address compliance issues, provide general corporate and business advice, help companies draft contracts and make decisions about their organizational structures, and more.”
Bollman said Barnes & Thornburg LLC prides itself on helping ATA-member businesses navigate day-to-day issues in a practical way. The firm’s lawyers have recently worked with ATA members on data security and privacy measures as part of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.
The company joined the ATA in 2017 to align itself with clients in the sports and recreation industry.
“The more we know about our clients, the more effectively we can support them, advocate for them and provide them with sound advice,” Bollman said.
Contact Bollman at (317) 231-7817 or Amber.Bollman@btlaw.com for more information.
Winthrop & Weinstine will help members with any patents, trademarks, or intellectual property claims. Photo Credit: Winthrop & Weinstine
Another ATA supporting member law firm, Winthrop & Weinstine, also offers full-service business counselling, but specializes in intellectual property – specifically, patents and trademark portfolio development and enforcement.
Steve Baird, chair of the intellectual property department at Winthrop & Weinstine, said they’ve done a lot of patent, trademark, and anti-counterfeiting work for ATA members because intellectual property infringement and counterfeiting is an enormous problem.
“Intellectual property is often considered the most valuable asset a company has,” Baird said. “It’s the lifeblood of competitiveness. So we developed some streamlined approaches to help brand owners develop their portfolios, protect their intellectual property assets, and prevent counterfeiting of their products, all of which helps our ATA-member clients improve their bottom line.”
Winthrop & Weinstine also volunteered to help the ATA on a pro bono basis and is helping with its trademark protection and brand coordination, after ATA staff and Board members determined the organization’s strategic planning priorities.
“We’re honored to help the ATA as an organization, and to provide our time and expertise in ways to help benefit all members,” Baird said.
Winthrop & Weinstine became an ATA member in 2017. Baird said the company provides free initial consultations to ensure they can help members on business and intellectual property issues they’re facing. You can learn more on their website or by calling Steve at (612) 604-6585.
Both law firms provide resources in the member-only portal on ArcheryTrade.org and will also attend the 2019 ATA Trade Show to assist with your legal needs.
Hobson Insurance will take care of your insurance claims. Photo Credit: Hobson Insurance
Switching gears, Hobson Insurance, an independent insurance agency, also supports ATA members and specializes in the archery and sporting goods industry.
“It’s advantageous for ATA members to work with insurance professionals who understand the archery industry and have specialized products to make sure they’re covered correctly,” said Kristy Longfellow, vice president of Hobson Insurance.
Hobson Insurances provides policies for bonds, property, liability, patent protection, cyber liability, product liability, workers compensation and more. It assists members with claims, loss control, audit questions and guidance with the insurance requirements of everything from landlords to trade shows.
The company also employs multiple archers, like Jeff DeRegnaucourt, a nationally ranked FITA archery and USA Archery Level 3-NTS coach, to better understand archery’s complexities and provide the best insurance in the industry.
“The best claim is the one that never happens,” said DeRegnaucourt. “[Hobson Insurance] provides loss prevention techniques for archery retail shops and 3-D archery ranges. No other agent in the U.S. works harder for the sport, industry and consumer.”
The company has been an ATA member for many years and works with the ATA on other partnership initiatives. Longfellow encourages ATA members to contact her at 1 (800) 296-7985. You can also find more information on their website.
The ATA supporting members may not have the largest representation at the ATA, but those who are supporting members are all-in for the industry. Take advantage of their services to ensure your business runs effectively and efficiently.
For information about resources and business practices in this article, or to learn more about ATA membership, contact the ATA’s business and membership office at (866) 266-2776 or info@archerytrade.org.
