If you are a member of ASA and have been reading my “Letters from the ASA President” throughout the course of 2011, it should be no secret to you that ASA has a great deal of activity happening within its four key areas of focus:Benchmarking, Networking, EducationandAdvocacy. In last month’s letter, and in my address to the ASA membership atNetworkASA 2011in September, I outlined the detailed growth that has taken place in each of these specific areas throughout 2011. It has been a phenomenal ride to say the least. If you are not a member, my question to you is, “What more is it going to take for you to stand up, take notice andJOINthe ranks of your fellow industry professionals as members of ASA?” In our ever-evolving marketplace, the time has never been more important thanright nowfor your company to join ASA and take advantage of this time of growth.
Many of you struggle with predicting what the future of our industry brings. We know how important this is and have acted on the need. As mentioned in this month’sASA News, a team of industry leaders met atNetworkASA 2011in September to begin mapping out plans for providing the membership with critical industry forecasting data on a regular basis. This Forecasting Task Group will first work to build participation in ASA’s current benchmarking tools, then develop and customize a forecasting tool specific to member needs.
Speaking ofBenchmarking, ASA’sMaterials Market Digestwas reintroduced to the membership in October 2011. This valuable monthly report provides timely information about important industry trends in a variety of materials sectors including: carbon steel and stainless, alloy steel and principal alloy metals, non-ferrous metals and alloys and much more. The report also has a new author, formerSupply House Timeseditor Jim Olsztynski, and includes price changes by major producers, action in applicable commodity markets, factors affecting supply or demand and other information that cannot be obtained anywhere else. One more valuable ASA member benefit example!
Another ever-evolving area of growth within ASA isEducation. Introduced atNetworkASA 2011was the highly anticipatedASA Universityand its five colleges, including: theColleges of Sales, Leadership, Warehouse Operations, PurchasingandGeneral Business. Find out more about howASA Universitycan be your resource for success in our featured article,The Starting Point, in this month’sASA News.
The power ofNetworkingwithin ASA was recently illustrated by our very successfulNetworkASA 2011event, held September 13-16 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. We had a 30% increase in attendance over 2010, boasted overflow crowds at each scheduled event and received extraordinarily high remarks from attendees. Start making plans now to attend next year’sNetworkASA 2012, scheduled for October 17-20 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. You won’t be disappointed!
Last, but certainly not least, we have seen a whirlwind of activity in the area ofAdvocacythroughout the past year. Dan Hilton, ASA’s Director of Government Affairs and our “man in Washington,” keeps ASA members informed of pending industry-related legislation through regular visits to Capitol Hill and maintaining consistent activity in frequent coalition and committee meetings. Dan has really ramped up the Advocacy effort for ASA this past year.
These are just a few snapshots of some reasons why you need toact nowif you are not a member of ASA. We will continue to develop these programs well into 2012 and beyond. Please contact a member of the ASA staff today at 312-464-0090 for more membership benefit information. You will be glad you did!
Bill Kenny
Kenny Pipe & Supply
