EORA Reports Significant Membership Growth

October 14, 2016

Asheville, NC – In early October, nine EORA Board members gathered in the historic section of Philadelphia for their annual meeting, and spent time focusing on the future and growth of the organization. Of note, EORA welcomed 75 new members in the first 9 months of 2016 — a 39% increase over 2015’s new member total.

To continue encouraging members to join and stay with the organization, the Board decided to continue to keep a number of incentives in place:

• Low membership dues, $250/year
• Reciprocal program with EWSRA and NESR
• Complimentary legal counsel
• Variety of show locations and programs
• Opportunities to serve on various committees and task forces
• Manufacturer/vendor sponsorship program

Other meeting highlights include long-range planning and budgeting, approving a succession plan for the Executive Director position, and awarding $4,500 in grants to 6 organizations.

In attendance: New England reps Allison Frazier (Board President), Rick Stoner, and Sarah Maher (VP – Northeast); Southeast reps Paul Jordan (VP – Southeast), Katherine “KC” Corbett, and Mel Chrestman, Jr.; Mid-Atlantic reps Kevin Brew (VP – Mid-Atlantic), Tad Fox, and Kelly Fischer; and EORA staff Debbie Motz, Terry Wilson and Stacey Gellert 

The EORA Board will meet again in Washington D.C. in March 2017.

About EORA:

Eastern Outdoor Reps Association (EORA) is a not-for-profit association that produces regional tradeshows that bring together over 500 sales reps and 2,300 retailers each year in the Eastern US. Initially focused on traditional specialty outdoor, EORA has since expanded to encompass a wide array of retail categories, including lifestyle, specialty run, bike, resort, paddle sports, and more. EORA was founded in 1979 and has grown steadily in membership over the years.