WESTERN HOME FURNISHINGS ASSOCIATION SIGNS UP 18 NEW MEMBERS

Furniture World Magazine

WHFA has broken its single month new member acquisition record of 18 established back in the fall of 1990. WHFA has shattered its previous record by gaining a whopping 27 new members in just the month of October. WHFA has long been known for its excellent service provided to its members. We continue to gain momentum because we are giving the owners of the Association, the members, what they want and need to compete in today's competitive environment," says Dave Lane, WHFA Executive Director since 1988. "WHFA now serves over 650 members who own more than 1,400 stores. We fully expect to serve more than 1,000 members within the next several years,?' Lane adds. Lane attributes much of the success WHFA has enjoyed in recent years to the direction of dedicated WHFA Board members. "In addition to being the largest regional affiliate of The National Home Furnishings Association," Lane adds, "WHFA continues to be the fastest growing." Lane explained that industry associations must change the way they have operated for the past 50 years in order to survive in today's environment. Associations can no longer be a "me-to" organization offering the same services that many other business organizations, such as the local chamber of commerce, offer. Trade associations that will survive in the years ahead must offer unique programs and services designed specifically for its members. There must be genuine savings and not just a group program by name only. The fast-paced, "not-enough-time-in-the-day" baby-boomers no longer look at membership in their trade association as a must. Just ten years ago, all an association had to do was offer a good educational program and some lobbying to be seen as a value to the member. That's not true today. Baby-boomers demand a bottom-line benefit from their trade association. In addition, this bottom-line benefit must be seen by the member time and time again throughout the course of each year. WHFA opened its doors for business in Los Angeles in January of 1943. For more than 54 years, WHFA has served the needs of the Western retail home furnishings community. Since early 1943, WHFA has provided education, industry information, legislation, industry news, area networking meetings and group programs. WHFA's group programs and services have been aimed at allowing the independent small single business all the way up to the largest regional chains to compete with the largest national retailers such as Sears.