The Eastern Outdoor Reps Association (EORA) at a board meeting in early October welcomed 75 new members in the first nine months of 2016 — a 39 percent increase over 2015’s new member total.

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

  • Low membership dues
  • 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 included long-range planning and budgeting, approving a succession plan for the executive director position, and awarding $4,500 in grants to six organizations.

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

EORA is a not-for-profit association that produces regional tradeshows that bring together more than 500 sales reps and 2,300 retailers each year in the Eastern U.S. Initially focused on traditional specialty outdoor, the association has since expanded to encompass a wide array of retail categories, including lifestyle, specialty run, bike, resort and paddle sports. It was founded in 1979.