"Association are important, but they are not doing their job." says Frank Romano in his latest WhatTheyThink.com video that ran as part of videos series on printing industry associations.

According to Romano, The industry has not seen value in associations. A recent report by students at RIT found that 11% of printers surveyed belong to a trade associations. Frank points out that trade association have consolidated, lost membership, and a seen within the industry as providing no no meaningful benefits.

Romano says print buying associations such as Margie Dana's Print Buyers International are seeing growth.

Barb Pellow encourages print service providers to build a solid network with their peers through good associations. and to become active in associations outside your comfort zone through participation in the associations in your target market (E.g Insurance industry associations). A key to success says Pellow is to, "build a solid network of peers, and become respected in your vertical market associations."

Gail Nickel-Kailing says look to associations to provide business consulting to help with your business, and lobbying power at the government level.

"Printers want to affiliate." says Patrick Henry, "when they do, great things happen." Henry says its the responsibility of local trade associations to provide educational opportunities and support.

Noel Ward and Cary Sherburne would both like to see more consolidation of industry associations. Sherburne says there are duplicate efforts. "We have too many associations, they need to consolidate." Ward notes the recent mergers of associations, and says "NAPL and PIA/GATF should consider merging."

This topic has a tendency to bring up some debate over the role of associations, the benefits they provide to members and the industry as a whole. What are your thoughts? Are there too many associations? Should NAPL and PIA/GATF merge? Which association do you belong to, and what benefits drive your association membership spending?