IDFA Business Partners
Benefits of Membership for IDFA Business Partners
For Fiscal Year 2012
July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012
IDFA's dairy company members represent 85% of the dairy products produced in the United States. Membership also includes companies in Canada and other countries around the world. IDFA Business Partner membership provides many resources to develop or enhance your relationship with the dairy foods industry. Take advantage of IDFA's cost-effective marketing and promotional opportunities to help your company increase sales and profitability in the dairy foods market. Increase your visibility by networking and sharing ideas with customers and potential customers. Keep current on the latest developments and challenges facing your customers for a broader understanding of their changing needs. Approximately 325 companies representing all aspects of supplier goods and services enjoy membership at the Business Partner or Gold Business Partner level.
Business Partners and Gold Business Partners benefit from the following programs and services. The Gold Business Partner program was started in 1996 due to members' requests for a program that allows for more involvement, visibility, and networking with dairy customers. Details about the additional benefits for IDFA Gold Business Partners can be found on IDFA Gold Business Partner Membership Benefits or by contacting the Membership Group at (202) 737-4332 or membership@idfa.org.
Establish Valuable, Ongoing Customer Contacts
As an active participant in IDFA programs, Business Partners easily meet and establish mutually beneficial relationships with prospective clients and customers.
Complimentary Link from Online Membership List
Member companies are listed in the Membership List section of the IDFA website with a complimentary link to company websites.
Complimentary IDFA Membership Directory
Business Partners receive a complimentary copy of the annual IDFA Membership Directory. The integrity of the information is unsurpassed because it is updated directly by the dairy companies. Information includes headquarters & plant addresses, phone & fax numbers of the key contacts at each location, as well as the types of products processed or manufactured at each plant. An easy-to-read product grid and indexes for cross-reference quickly allow you to find the relevant information. Additional copies cost $75 for members. Upon request once per year, contact information from the directory is available in an Excel spreadsheet at no additional cost. This incredible value will save your company time and money when preparing marketing campaigns.
Complimentary Online Searches for Dairy Company Information
Not only will your customers be able to find you, but you will be able find them in the IDFA Searchable Membership Directory. Open only to IDFA members, you can find the information you need about your dairy foods customers.
Complimentary Listing in the IDFA Membership Directory
The IDFA Membership Directory is distributed to approximately 2,500 key industry leaders and decision-makers. Membership provides a complimentary listing, complete with a detailed description of your company's products and services. Listings are also cross-referenced by a products and services index. Your potential customers will easily find you.
Complimentary Listing in IDFA Online Buyers' Guide
The IDFA Online Buyers' Guide is a user-friendly resource to help dairy companies find supplies and services for all their project needs. IDFA Business Partners receive a basic listing, which includes unlimited product categories, two contacts, placement value, member recognition, and web site and email links. Gold Business Partners receive a premier listing which includes unlimited product categories, unlimited contacts, priority placement, web site and email links, company description, company logo, web site search function, and Gold member recognition. Business Partners may purchase a premier listing.
Advertise in the IDFA Membership Directory and Online Buyers' Guide
Business Partners are offered the opportunity to promote their goods and services by advertising in the directory and online buyers' guide at reduced rates. Various advertising options are available, and pricing is extremely competitive to provide cost-effective promotions for small, medium and large companies.
Sponsorship and Marketing Opportunities
Business Partners can further enhance company visibility by sponsoring special activities and events at IDFA conferences (such as general sessions, meal functions, receptions, golf/tennis tournaments, and other events) and IDFA webinars. Business Partners are invited to host a tour of their facilities nearby an IDFA event.
Participate in IDFA Programs & Special Projects
We greatly value the expertise of Business Partners and invite participation in speaking engagements and special projects.
Qualify for Reduced Conference Registration Rates
IDFA's meetings and educational programs provide members with some of the most beneficial programming in the industry. Accurate and current information is critical to the success of businesses in the dairy foods industry today. To enhance the value of Business Partner membership, your staff is entitled to attend meetings and educational seminars at significantly discounted rates. Presence at these functions will enhance your company's visibility by networking with customers and potential customers.
Special Benefits for IDFA Member Exhibitors of International Dairy Show
IDFA members receive the member rate on exhibit space for the International Dairy Show, as well as special recognition prior to the Show and on site for their support of the dairy foods industry. The next International Dairy Show is scheduled for September 19-21, 2011, in Atlanta, GA. For more information about exhibiting, contact Mike Greeson, Assistant Director, Exhibit Sales, at (202) 220-3519. The International Dairy Show is a yearly event, providing frequent interaction between dairy processors and suppliers. In addition to the trade exhibition, educational sessions will provide attendees with information about new trends and technologies to meet consumer demands.
Use of IDFA Logo
The IDFA logo may be used on your company website, brochures, and ads to show your support of IDFA and the dairy foods industry.
New Member Introduction
New Members are introduced to the membership each month through the Association's e-newsletter NewsUpdate Headlines. This news article includes a link to more information about each company's products and services and a key contact.
Keep Abreast of Industry Activities
Business Partners receive regular communications to keep informed of the challenges facing the dairy industry. Understanding the issues is critical to understanding your customers' needs. Members automatically receive the NewsUpdate e-newsletter each Wednesday (on Association and policy news). The SmartBrief e-newsletter is sent each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (regarding the latest dairy business news) through a free subscription. Sign up for IDFA SmartBrief. Advertising opportunities are available in SmartBrief.
Provide Vital Support on Industry Issues
Business Partners are also encouraged to become involved in legislative and regulatory initiatives. Member participation in policymaking is vital to building a strong dairy foods industry.
Access to Members-Only Documents on the IDFA Website
As a Business Partner, company employees may access members-only documents, which contain news and other valuable information that directly affect your customers' daily operations. Implementation of new policies, guidelines, and regulations may also affect your business practices with customers.
Membership Conference Calls
Business Partners are encouraged to participate in member conference calls scheduled three times per year--March, June, and October. IDFA staff provides a status report on the most important issues to date, and members are encouraged to ask questions.
Access to Expert Advice
Business Partners have easy access to IDFA's top-notch staff. These professionals are key information sources on all aspects of the dairy processing industry. They provide expert advice, statistics and trends, and up-to-the-minute data on the latest industry issues affecting the livelihood of your business or that of your customer base.
Publications Available
Valuable resources are available through our publications at members-only reduced rates, including Dairy Facts, which provides the latest industry production and consumption figures. In addition, we publish in-depth manuals addressing labeling issues; FDA, EPA, and OSHA inspections; and a variety of other issues. As a founding member of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc., IDFA members receive a 50% discount on the purchase of sanitary standards and accepted practices at www.3-A.org.
View the special benefits for Business Partners at the 2011 International Dairy Show!
View a list of IDFA Business Partners.
Benefits of Gold Business Partner Membership — (also includes Business Partner Benefits)
Please contact the IDFA Membership Group with questions at (202) 737-4332 or membership@idfa.org.
