Dear MRA applicant:
We are very excited about your interest in the Midwestern Representatives Association, Inc. The MRA is a professional organization consisting of sales reps covering Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky with some of our members covering Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
The MRA host 3 markets each year and 1 on-snow demo:
1) DECEMBER MARKET-This will be our 1st year for hosting this EARLY buy. This year the market will be at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI. A complete list of attending reps and retailers will be available once our site gets live. what a great way to see, buy, early all at a great venue in a 3-day venue. This venue is an attempt to listen to the retailers and reps who don't want to be out of their stores for weeks or months, to place the early buy. take advantage of this great venue!
2) FEBRUARY MARKET- consists of winter/active/lifestyle apparel, ski/snowboard/nordic equipment, hardgoods and softgoods accessories, and many more winter related products. This market is a three-day market typically held in mid-February. Close to 100 MRA members will show in over 50,000 square feet. The show will be in Lansing at the Lansing Center. Lansing hosts a variety of activities including home to Michigan State University, restaurants, shopping,& airport. The Radisson is adjacent to the facility however, there are a number of alternative options for lodging.
3) AUGUST MARKET- consists of summer/lifestyle apparel, outdoor accessories, tents, backpacks, camping, in-line skate, and many more outdoor/spring-summer related products. This market is a three-day market which will be held mid August. Again, the show is in Lansing at the Lansing Center. Approximately 60 exhibitors in almost 25,000 square feet.
4) TEST-FEST-The on-snow demo focus in on product testing and decision-making on hardgoods product. This is a three-day event that hosts alpine, snowboard & nordic equipment. The demo will follow our indoor venue at the later part of February. The 2008 calendar is very tight and to avoid conflict with 3 other major industry demo's the MRA test fest will now follow the other regional demos and the winter market. This will be a fabulous time to write and see/test product. There are 65 exhibitors exhibiting with dealers traveling from a 4 state area.
Membership Requirements:
1) 5 letters of recommendation from active members: not retailers or reps in other territories. Please have referring rep send via mail, fax or e-mail to MRA office a brief letter stating they know and/or have worked with you and think you would be an asset to the organization.
2) A one-time Initiation fee is $250.00.
3) Dues are $250.00. Due each year by October 1.
5) 10 x 10 booth=$270.00 for Lansing
If accepted, you will have thirty days from notification to pay the initiation fee and dues for the year. If for some reason your application is denied, you will be notified as to the reason and you may reapply the following year.
Once the paper work is completed, you will receive a welcome packet with pertinent information including by-laws, show rules, membership benefits and seniority status.
Please CLICK HERE to access the online Membership Application
I look forward to working with you.
Kindest Regards,
Barbara Shepherd
Executive Director
MRA
2375 Catob Road
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Ph: 231-526-5772
Fx: 231-526-5886
E-mail:
MRA@freeway.net