SGMA Changes its name after 107 years to Sports ... - Recreation Law

Dear Members and Friends of SGMA: For the past 107 years, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) has been your source of research-based knowledge, a leader in professional development, the sports and fitness industry?s voice and advocate on Capitol Hill, and the community on which you rely to address common challenges and take collective action. We all recognize the rapid and deep change our industry has experienced in recent years. As our industry evolves, our organization has identified the need to realign our positioning, communications and service offerings. Thus, following careful deliberations based on an extensive strategic planning process, the SGMA Board of Directors has approved a complete rebranding process for our Association. I?d like to walk you through some of these exciting developments: Transition of Our Name ? SGMA to SFIA The SGMA Board of Directors has approved a new name for our organization: Sports & Fitness Industry Association, with the acronym SFIA. Our research and personal experiences indicate that common understandings of ?sporting goods? and ?manufacturers? have evolved while our terminology has not. Thus, the change from ?Sporting Goods? to ?Sports & Fitness? is more definitive about our inclusion of brands connected to fitness and active lifestyle products. The change from ?Manufacturers? to ?Industry? embraces a broader community including suppliers, brands, major sports and fitness retailers and partners ? a much clearer reflection of our current and future membership. This is not a change in philosophy for our organization as we already have many members in these categories. It is simply a more accurate and transparent indication of the industry segments that we serve. And while we continue to embrace, celebrate and support the many companies who manufacture their own products, our general membership (including many of those manufacturers) has indicated that there is a need to move beyond the traditional label of a ?manufacturers? association. Formal Ratification of the Name Change While the Board has approved all of the elements connected to the overall rebranding, changing the name of SGMA requires a vote of the membership, which will be done by proxy and ratified at the SGMA Annual meeting this fall. This Is About Much More Than a Name Change: New Industry Initiatives This rebranding process is about much more than a name change. It starts with the basics?a laser focus on the new mission statement developed by our Board of Directors: To Promote Sports and Fitness Participation and Industry Vitality. It is a reflection of a broad Board-driven, multi-year strategic planning process that instills a disciplined focus on four core offerings: Thought Leadership & Events, Public & Industry Affairs, Member Services and Research Insights. Specifically, we are working hard to enhance our member offerings with the launch of several initiatives including: New Thought Leadership initiatives including the 2013 SFIA Industry Leaders Summit, scheduled for September 25-26, 2013. A national campaign to grow sport and fitness participation: PHIT America A new ?member friendly?? website: www.SFIA.org A comprehensive SFIA Supplier Directory A groundbreaking new ?Grassroots Sports Participation in America? research report Content enhancements and design updates to our weekly e-newsletter, InBrief Major upgrades to our Product Testing member benefit You will learn more about these initiatives in the coming weeks. In the meantime, for more information, please visit the FAQ section on our website. I want to emphasize that the foundation of our organization and the core constituents who benefit from their affiliation with our organization remains the same. The rebranding process simply helps us articulate a more accurate picture of who we represent and how we bring value to those entities while simultaneously identifying our members? most pressing issues and providing resources that help address those problems. In short, this is a very exciting time in the long, proud history of our trade association. The rebranding process is an important example of our ongoing commitment to fulfilling our organization?s mission. We remain universally committed to our most significant priority: to continue developing and delivering products, resources and events to our members that help enhance their businesses. The upcoming name change and the rollout of our new services and initiatives are a strong reflection of our continued commitment to fulfilling our leadership role in this great industry. Thank you for your continued investment in SGMA as we transition to the newly branded Sports & Fitness Industry Association. As always, our staff remains proud to serve the sports and fitness community and the outstanding individuals who work in this industry. Larry Franklin Tom Cove Chairman of the Board President & CEO Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association Mission: To Promote Sports and Fitness Participation and Industry Vitality Corporate Philosophy: We believe sports and physical activity enhance people?s lives. By providing tangible value to our member companies, SGMA promotes and supports the sports and fitness industry?s growth, profitability and importance.

SGMA * 8505 Fenton Street, Suite 211 * Silver Spring, MD * 20910 * p: 301.495.6321 * www.sgma.com

Source: http://recreation-law.com/2012/09/27/sgma-changes-its-name-after-107-years-to-sports-and-fitness-industry-association-sfia/

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