Benefits of membership in the American Home Furnishings Alliance can be summed up in three words: UNITY, ACCESS, INFLUENCE. Each of these words represents a commitment from the Alliance to impact your business in a specific way. Together, they represent a powerful package of programs and services designed to promote the growth and global leadership of our member companies. Read on for the details.

Issue Advocacy
AHFA retains a professional group in Washington to represent the interests of the furniture industry before elected officials and regulatory agencies. AHFA lobbies on Capitol Hill, confers with senior members of the Administration and Congressional staffs, testifies at Congressional hearings and maintains regular contact with all major agencies that impact our industry.

In addition, AFHA provides funding for scientific research on issues such as flammability, wood dust, boiler emissions, product safety and any others that may impact the manufacture, sales or marketing of home furnishings products in the United States.

Through voluntary contributions, AHFA sponsors a Furniture Political Action Committee, FurnPAC, which supports private enterprise candidates seeking election to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. FurnPAC is bipartisan and is governed by a board of directors representing a cross-section of the membership.

Education & Training
AHFA’s organizational structure, programs and services are designed to encourage participation and continuing education at all levels of furniture company management – from the company president to the plant supervisor.

Nine “Focus Areas” have been established to create a network of knowledge communities within our organization. These include: Environmental Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Marketing, Public Relations, Safety and Transportation & Logistics. Each area holds conferences and/or technical training for professional development and networking opportunities.

Money-Saving Discounts
Membership in AHFA allows companies to operate more efficiently and economically by taking advantage of special programs negotiated with the full buying strength of the AHFA member base. Programs include:

• discounted Federal Express shipping rates. Up to 25% off regular rates.
• fleet fuel card program that saves participants thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs.
• discounted environmental services saves members 10% on all project labor, applying to technical and permitting services, including air, water, industrial hygiene, ISO and environmental reporting.
• exhibitor discounts for companies showing at the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago and for suppliers exhibiting at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta.
• employee relocation program with Allied, Atlas Van Lines and Clark & Reid.
• business solutions discounts on hundreds of office supplies and equipment through Office Depot and Staples.
• technology solutions provides expertise and competitive pricing in technology from Tech Dept and PC Connection.

Public Relations
AHFA’s Public Relations Program was launched in April 1999 as a multi-media communications effort focused on motivating more consumers to purchase more furniture more often. The program includes monthly press releases to the top 1,200 newspapers and more than 200 magazines nationwide, a media website (www.ahfanews.com), a consumer website (www.findyourfurniture.com) and PR support for companies exhibiting at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point and the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago.

News and Information
A variety of newsletters and resources provide executives within AHFA member companies with the information they need, when they need it. Among these resources are:

• Furniture Executive, a monthly association newsletter detailing upcoming events and programs.
• Suppliers on Demand, an online newsletter updated quarterly with new product and service information from AHFA Supplier Division members.
• Online newsletters focusing on current HR issues and employee benefits.
• An online Trade Name Directory for researching product collection names.
• An Environmental Guide with detailed information on environmental regulations and legislation pertaining to the furniture and cabinet manufacturing industries.
• An extensive online directory of product and technical standards pertaining to home furnishings products.
• A Freight Loss and Damage Claims Manual created especially for home furnishings manufacturers.

Website
This website is a one-stop shop for all of the above-listed resources. Members consult it regularly for updates and additions to their member benefits.

Member Resources >

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