SWDA membership information is extensive, below are 2 links that go in more detail for that specific area.
Membership criteria and applications
Membership Criteria and Applications
Membership
SWDA provides its members with a forum to exchange ideas, improve profitability and build relationships with vendors, customers and peers. There are two primary classes of membership. All membership applications require the approval of the SWDA Board of Directors, and acceptance is subject to their discretion.
Distributor: Any firm, company or corporation that is a wholesaler-distributor of multi-brands of manufactured tourist products, shall be eligible for Distributor Membership. Tourist Products shall include, but are not limited to, post cards, souvenirs, apparel, candy, toys, books, gifts, figurines and other products intended for sale to tourists. In order to provide a commonality of interest among the members of the association, a wholesaler-distributor of tourist products shall meet each of the following criteria:
a) Own or control a business enterprise in which its principal business is, and the majority of its revenues are, derived from buying tourist products from manufacturers and selling them to independent retailers.
b) At a minimum, purchase souvenir products from at least five manufacturers for resale to independent retailers.
c) Have been in business as a wholesaler-distributor in the tourist products industry for twelve or more months immediately preceding the date of its application.
d) Be a recognized wholesaler-distributor of tourist products by a minimum of 25 independent retailers. For the purposes hereof “independent retailers” shall not include any retail outlet in which the applicant or any officer, director, employee or partner of the applicant, is related to or associated with, or has any financial interest including, but not limited to, any direct or indirect ownership of stock, leases, loans or the like.
e) Maintain a warehouse for its products which is physically disconnected from any retail outlet.
f) Maintain a sales staff.
g) Provide a delivery service via its own trucks and/or commercial trucks.
h) Produces a catalog or sell sheets of their products.
i) Please note that the above criteria are required to determine whether an applicant is a distributor of tourist products. If you have other information which you believe will be of assistance in determining your eligibility for membership in SWDA, please include such information with this application.
To apply for Distributor membership, complete and return the attached (form).
Affiliate: Any firm, company or corporation, and manufacturer’s representatives of such companies, which is a recognized seller of Tourist Products to wholesaler-distributors, shall be eligible for Supplier Membership. Tourist Products shall include, but are not limited to, post cards, souvenirs, apparel, candy, toys, books, gifts, figurines and other products intended for sale to tourists.
To apply for Supplier membership, complete and return the attached (form).
Since 1973, the Souvenir Wholesale Distributors Association (SWDA) has served the needs of post card and souvenir wholesaler distributors and their suppliers. By offering educational and business programs, providing networking opportunities, and sponsoring trade expositions, SWDA helps its members meet the challenges of today's marketplace.
SWDA Annual Convention & Trade Show
Each fall, SWDA stages the Annual Convention & Trade Show - with educational programs, networking events and the largest post card and souvenir trade show in the U.S. devoted exclusively for wholesaler-distributors. The event begins with a full day of general session, seminars, panels, and product presentations designed to keep your business on the cutting edge of industry developments. This is followed by two full days of trade show exhibits, providing a venue for previewing all the latest products available for your business. The Annual Convention & Trade Show is held in various cities throughout North America, attracting distributors and suppliers of post cards and souvenirs from around the world!
36th Annual Convention & 2008 Trade Show
September 14-17, 2008
Doubletree Lloyd Center Hotel
Portland, Oregon
Training/Seminars
SWDA occasionally offers training/seminars for members.
Each year the SWDA conducts an awards program honoring the best Postcard & Souvenir designs for our members. Awards are presented in 24 categories. Distributor of the Year, Printer of the Year and Supplier of the Year are also awarded. For more information, visit the awards page.
Publications
SWDA produces several publications including SWDA Today, the association newsletter. This members-only publication is distributed quarterly to the leading wholesaler-distributors of souvenirs and other tourist products throughout North America and the Caribbean. SWDA members look to the newsletter for news on association activities, government action affecting travel, tourism trends and member updates.
Freightquote.com ® – Source for Freight Transportation
SWDA has partnered with Freightquote.com® to provide members with a one-stop shopping tool for shipping. Freightquote.com® helps members find the most economical shipping through their easy-to-use website. For more information, contact www.Freightquote.com or call 800-323-5441.
Business Services Available to Members Through NAW
All members are entitled to the products and services offered by the National Association of Wholesale-Distributors (NAW) by virtue of your association’s membership in NAW.
NAW is a national trade association whose core mission is to advocate members interests on national public issues which affect the entire wholesale-distribution industry. NAW serves as a catalyst for the exchange of ideas, programs, and skills among the organization's member national associations. NAW also promotes the merchant wholesaler-distributor as the most efficient channel of distribution.
New Comprehensive Insurance Solutions Now Available
New Insurance Program for ALL SWDA Members (not just distributors!)
To learn more about the NAW Insurance Trust, visit www.naw.flexiblebenefit.com. You or your health insurance agent can also call Flex directly at 866-472-5397.
Through our affiliation with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), SWDA is pleased to announce the new NAW Insurance Trust—available to all Souvenir Wholesale Distributor Association members—not just distributors. This health insurance program takes advantage of NAW's collective member company buying power, rewards healthy companies with lower premiums and offers the added benefit of a pooled reserve fund.
The NAW Insurance Trust offers a fully-insured group health plan administered and underwritten by Trustmark Insurance Company or Trustmark Life Insurance Company (Trustmark) that is distributed and marketed by Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex). The NAW Board of Directors serves as Trustees with sole authority to select group insurance coverage and oversee the reserve fund.
Through the NAW Insurance Trust, you have access to a comprehensive suite of PPO plans with flexible options, including:
Varying deductible and coinsurance levels
Consumer-driven, cost-savings options featuring tax-advantaged plans, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) and more.
A full portfolio of ancillary products to combine with a medical plan, including dental and life/AD&D insurance
Plus, if you have at least 200 employees electing health coverage, you also have the additional opportunity to customize your plan by choosing an alternate funding arrangement and additional plan designs.
The NAW Insurance Trust is delivered by:
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) is the Washington, DC-based trade association that represents the wholesale distribution industry. NAW is active in these areas: government relations and political action; research and education; and group purchasing. In addition to NAW, the association operates the Wholesaler-Distributor Political Action Committee, the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence, and the NAW Service Corporation. NAW encompasses more than 80 national line-of-trade associations, representing virtually all products that move to market via wholesaler-distributors; approximately 30 regional, state, and local wholesale distribution associations; approximately 40,000 wholesale distribution companies, most of which belong to one or more of NAW's national, regional, state, and local associations; and 85,000 wholesale distribution company personnel.
Trustmark Affinity Markets administers the NAW Insurance Trust plans which are underwritten and administered by Trustmark Insurance Company or Trustmark Life Insurance Company. Trustmark is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., has nearly 100 years of experience in the insurance industry and more than 50 years as a leader serving associations and other affiliated organizations. The NAW Insurance Trust health plans are underwritten and administered by Trustmark Life Insurance Company or Trustmark Insurance Company.
Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex) is a General Agency and Third Party Administrator. Flex is headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois. Flex has 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and as a leader in leveraging tax-advantaged plans to create long-term savings for the American worker. The NAW Insurance Trust is distributed and marketed through Flex, which also administers the tax-advantaged plans.
Solveras Credit Card Processing
NAW has teamed up with Solveras Payment Systems to provide wholesaler-distributors with the latest credit card processing technology. The program includes negotiated group discounts and a full range of processing options designed to meet your business's unique payment needs, including a secure virtual terminal that allows you to manage transactions from any computer with Internet access.
SWDA members can take advantage of a professional FREE savings analysis to see the program savings in writing with no obligation to enroll. For more information, please visit http://www.solveras.com/pcsda.html or call 800-613-0148.
NAW's Overnight Delivery Program
This unique, full-service program was created to assist members of NAW and its affiliated associations with your many overnight air freight shipping needs. We have taken two of the leading carriers in the overnight delivery business — Airborne Express — a lightweight carrier of express letters and packs — and Emery Worldwide — a heavy weight shipper of freight ranging from 5 pounds and up — and combined their resources into one Program. As a result, whether members ship a one pound letter or a 1,000 pound piece of equipment, you have options available to save time and money.
Hertz offers time-saving services like toll-free reservations, Computerized Driving Directions and #1 Club Gold Membership. Members also have the advantage of savings from 5% to 20% on business and leisure rentals when you make advance reservations with Hertz. Most importantly, members will be given the best rate available when you use the NAW/Hertz Program.
NAW believes that wholesaler-distributors need to embrace and use new technologies to reinvent their business models and add value for the customers. Their new publications website carries a catalog and complete online credit card ordering in a totally secure environment. And in order to encourage you to order online, NAW will offer you a 5% discount on every order. That is in addition to the discount you always receive as a member of PIDA and to any quantity discounts for which you may qualify.
When you order online via the link above, you will receive an additional 5% discount. Your order will generate a confirmation by return e-mail as well as being transmitted directly to the NAW office. Finally, NAW will be adding sample excerpts so you can get an even better idea of a given book or tape program's content.