Author:
Cassie Scott
You may pay dues to be an Archery Trade Association member, but that membership pays off in big ways. In fact, the ATA works to provide strong value to all members as part of its strategic planning process.
The ATA has a 10-person member benefit advisory team that works to ensure the ATA offers adequate resources and support for its members. The group is analyzing current services and planning ways to revise or create new services based on member feedback. Check out some of the current offerings and stay tuned for more information about your ATA-member benefits. (Hint: It’s about more than money!)
Members have access to all of the content on our websites and can share it on theirs. Photo Credit: Unsplash
Free Shareable Online Content
Need help creating archery and bowhunting content for your website or social media accounts that helps attract and engage new customers? The ATA has you covered.
Website:ATA staff and trusted freelancers write articles for the ATA’s two consumer websites, Archery360.com and Bowhunting360.com. ATA-member retailers can use the ATA’s free Archery 360 and Bowhunting 360 widgets to automatically fill their websites with fresh archery and bowhunting content and photographs. Click here to learn how to install the widgets.
Social Media:ATA members can also use content from the ATA’s social media communities for free! Share articles, pictures and videos directly from the ATA’s Facebook and Instagram channels. The informational content helps spark human interest among followers, which creates trust and rapport with new and current customers.
Free Business Listings
The ATA helps archery businesses make valuable connections with peers and consumers by providing your contact information in its membership directory and on the ATA’s store locator.
Membership Directory: ATA members automatically get their business information listed in the membership directory. This list provides contact information for all ATA members and is available free to ATA members only. Members wishing to receive a digital copy must sign a confidentiality agreement and be verified by ATA staff to ensure they’re an authorized source with ATA-member credentials. This process guards the privacy of everyone on the list.
For Retailers – ATA’s Store Locator:The ATA’s store locator steers customers to your shop to take lessons and buy equipment. The locator is available on the Archery 360 and Bowhunting 360 websites and mobile sites, and is also linked in content shared with readers. The locator includes your shop’s hours, contact information, and offerings like repairs, tuning, lessons, leagues and range information.
Be sure to confirm or update your shop’s contact information in the member login portal on the ATA website. That quick check ensures customers find your store and helps businesses network with you. You can also confirm or update your store’s information by calling the ATA’s business and membership office toll-free at (866) 266-2776.
The ATA always advocates for its members through programs that better the industry. Photo Credit: ATA
Ongoing Advocacy
The ATA works on behalf of its members to advise and advocate for members of the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA’s government-relations team advocates for you on issues like public land access, hunting regulations and use of federal excise tax dollars.
The team also oversees the ATA’s Deer Protection Program, which helps ATA-member scent manufacturers and their product suppliers do everything possible to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease in wild deer, elk and moose in the United States.
Helpful Resources
Businesses who join the ATA gain access to resources that help them grow their business, including staff, peers, programs, documents, industry demographics and more.
For example, the ATA provides its members with access to information on federal excise tax regulations and issues. They can also provide expert referrals. ATA staff distributes key earnings and tax rate information before it is available to the public. They also created a free comprehensive FET guide. To receive a free FET guide by mail, ATA members must email their request to Wendy Lang at wendylang@archerytrade.org.
Legal resources are also available to members covering areas including counterfeiting, Proposition 65, the General Data Protection Regulation and more. To access these expert legal resources, log in through the member login portaland click the “Legal Resources” section to explore your options.
Another helpful document is the ATA’s Archery Park Guide, which helps cities, counties, universities, ATA members and state parks and recreation agencies build safe, accessible archery parks. ATA members can find other documents, industry data, research reports and more in the member login portal.
ATA members can also work one-on-one with ATA staff to find ways to strengthen their business and connect with peers on ATA Connect, an online discussion community for ATA members.
Explore Bowfishing and Explore Bowhunting programs provide education to new hunters and currents bowhunters. Photo Credit: ATA
Educational Programs
In addition to helpful resources, the ATA also provides free programs, like Explore Bowhunting and Explore Bowfishing, to help members serve customers, reach new ones and sell more equipment. These fun, educational programs teach kids and adults bowhunting and bowfishing skills. Retailers and educators working with state wildlife agencies and city or county recreation departments can teach the programs.
If you’re interested in launching an ATA program in your state or retail store, please contact Josh Gold, ATA’s senior manager of R3 and state relations, for more information.
Trade Show Access
Many businesses join the ATA for exclusive access to the ATA Trade Show, which provides educational opportunities and the chance to promote commerce within the archery and bowhunting industry. ATA members can register to attend online, or by fax, mail, email or phone.
Although attending the Show is a huge event with multiple benefits in itself, there’s so much more to an ATA membership. Don’t stop here. Capitalize on everything the ATA has to offer. Be sure to check out the ATA’s membership page for more information.
If you have questions, please contact Wendy Lang, ATA’s senior manager of membership, at (866) 266-2776 ext. 103 or wendylang@archerytrade.org.