TSB
General => General Discussion and ??? => Topic started by: blue moon on January 07, 2016, 12:32:17 PM
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As some of you know, I've been invited to join the Garment Steering committee at the SGIA. Our Greg Kitson is the chair so I have high hopes and expectations from it.
One thing that keeps going through my mind is, what would SGIA have to offer to get more ppl to join? There is a lot of skill there that most or all of us in smaller to medium size companies could benefit from.
What would you need to see to Join?
pierre
p.s. please post even if you don't know, or don't think you will ever join . . . I am looking for any feedback, positive or negative.
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Sample Employee Handbook like yours ????
But I'm member already
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Reduced rates on small package carriers?
LTL and truckload discounts?
National Surveys on wage and compensation, broken down by regions and company size?
Discounts on packages at trade shows?
Numerous papers written on all aspects of decorating, traditional and digital?
Connections?
Still discovering the benefits, and happy to currently be a member
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Reduced rates on small package carriers?
LTL and truckload discounts?
National Surveys on wage and compensation, broken down by regions and company size?
Discounts on packages at trade shows?
Numerous papers written on all aspects of decorating, traditional and digital?
Connections?
Still discovering the benefits, and happy to currently be a member
Dave, agreed there is stuff there, but even we don't really take advantage of it. So I guess my comment would that it would have to be easier to use/find.
pierre
p.s. all kinds of views, but very few posts. Please let me know what you are thinking even if it's "too busy to think about it now" Thanx!
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Ill bite, know zero about it so I have never looked at what they offer and what that costs.
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we have been members for 3 years... the osha training articles have been great... as we add more employees we'll probably buy their program (which the discount pretty much covers the cost to buy it)
we use their discount program with YRC, as well as FedEX...
main reason for joining is Tiffany wanted to take the SGIA Totally Garments class when she was getting started, it was better to join and get the discount than it was to go as a non-member.
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Ill bite, know zero about it so I have never looked at what they offer and what that costs.
thanx, great feedback!
pierre
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Ill bite, know zero about it so I have never looked at what they offer and what that costs.
thanx, great feedback!
pierre
That was a great opportunity for you to tell me why I should look at it. Haha.
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we have thought about if in the past and event currently. It is hard to justify the cost. Not that SGIA does not offer enough it is just hard for a small business owner/worker to be able to take full advantage of them. It seems each time I have gone looking it was for a certain subject matter and to have that resource would be great but the cost of getting it and then only using it when you need it which is not much(for us, or maybe more if I had more time to see everything they offer) I look at it like the old encyclopedias great to have but how many time were they opened.
I guess for us we would need to use it much more to get the full benefits
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OK, an example from me. We do one big show a year, Baseball Winter Meetings. The saving from Yellow, getting a crate and a few pallets there and back, pays for our membership.
More to come.
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Haven't really looked into it, as the last SGIA show I went to was so digital I haven't gone back......its been all ISS long beach.
Maybe the membership to SGIA has more to offer than the show?
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
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I'd already be a member if they accepted applications from individuals.
Seems odd to me that they don't.
As to why they may be struggling with getting people on board?
Bean counters never want to pay for this kind of stuff, and have no idea what benefits it would bring to a shop.
Some of the SPTF docs are worth a few hundred bucks on their own, IMHO... although I see no clear info on what resources you get access to with membership these days either, so who knows. Maybe you have to pay to find out you have to pay?
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I had considered joining, but they really have ZERO to offer. I was in touch with one of their people that "cared" when I pressed them on actual questions, the emails went dead....
I had considered joining mainly because Greg was/is involved. There is the OSHA thing, and they do have some wage info, but I can't think of one actual reason I'd WANT to join(aside from supporting something Greg is involved with).
Seems like 5 years ago SGIA couldn't even spell Textile... I personally think Impressions would have a better chance starting their own association....
For your guys that really think you are getting a good deal with the "SGIA YRC discount" pm me and I'll tell you how to save quite a bit more. The FedEx thing I thought was nice, but 5min and Google you can find a FREE association you submit your email and FedEx number to and you get the SAME discount.
Just my .02, which most of you know is extreme and really only worth .01 ;)
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I'd consider joining, do they have rates for members outside the USA that won't benefit from all the discounts etc. The only thing we could use is educational info on the web.
I have no idea what membership costs.
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Yeah but don't forget that nice plaque you get that no one cares about
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Yeah but don't forget that nice plaque you get that no one cares about
Is it a ACTUAL plaque or just a piece of heavy paper? A plaque I may actually pay for, I need everything I can get that makes me look important! ;D
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What does membership cost?
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Pierre, is there a new director and what is his background?
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Cost is the biggest deterrent for us. We already receive greater discounts on shipping services through NFIB and our local Chamber of Commerce. The other benefits don't seem to weigh enough for us to pull the trigger. And I'm not going to spend $475 just so I can enter a Golden Image submission (while having to pay even more for multiple submissions).
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Maybe this is a situation where you only get out of it what you put into it?
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Pierre, is there a new director and what is his background?
Yes, his name is Ford Bowers and I will be introduced along with the entire committee structure next week at the SGIA Congress of Committees in FLL.
the official press release is here;
https://www.sgia.org/sgia/press-release/sgia-introduces-new-president-and-ceo-association (https://www.sgia.org/sgia/press-release/sgia-introduces-new-president-and-ceo-association)
He is a screenprint/digital graphics guy with years of industry experience and an open mind.
More info as I get it.
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Maybe this is a situation where you only get out of it what you put into it?
Agreed, or as I said to my granddaughter recently the best way to get a hug is to give one!
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Hmmm, every time I give a hug I get slapped. Maybe it's only for people you know?
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Pierre, is there a new director and what is his background?
Dave: Mike Robinson the most recent President of SGIA has retired, and his replacement as incoming President is Ford Bowers, from Atlanta, GA. Ford is a printer and was most recently responsible for running the Graphics Imaging unit of Miller Zell, one of the premium Point Of Purchase In-store Display Graphics providers in North America. Ford's a flat-stock guy, but I expect that he will see the dynamic growth in the textile garment decorating segment and he will make sure that SGIA does not forget about the Textillians in our industry.
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What does membership cost?
Why doesn't anyone want to answer this question?
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https://www.sgia.org/sgia/sgia-member-benefits-and-subscription-features (https://www.sgia.org/sgia/sgia-member-benefits-and-subscription-features)
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Pierre, is there a new director and what is his background?
Dave: Mike Robinson the most recent President of SGIA has retired, and his replacement as incoming President is Ford Bowers, from Atlanta, GA. Ford is a printer and was most recently responsible for running the Graphics Imaging unit of Miller Zell, one of the premium Point Of Purchase In-store Display Graphics providers in North America. Ford's a flat-stock guy, but I expect that he will see the dynamic growth in the textile garment decorating segment and he will make sure that SGIA does not forget about the Textillians in our industry.
Textillians is not in my spell check, guess that is my new word for the day. ;D
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What does membership cost?
Why doesn't anyone want to answer this question?
From my viewpoint I simply have not made the time to research it yet. Thanks to our green amphibian friend for the link.
However I spoke with SGIA yesterday and they are slammed with preparation for the planning meetings Mon-Wed of next week and this thread is on the membership committee task list as of now.
One of their digital media staff is going to be tasked with adding TSB to their reading/monitoring list so as to respond to inquiries such as this thread with factual current data.
Should be Scott Carter so when he starts posting/responding be patient and welcome him to the party.
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What does membership cost?
Why doesn't anyone want to answer this question?
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Thanks.
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Like I said before I am a Lindbergh printer, strictly solo no help consumed every day with not flying into the side of a mountain.
I have absolutely no interest in SGIAbut i just spent about 15 minutes on the SGIA web reading through to get some color in a greytone picture.
My standard is much like reading a job posting. the rule goes that if you don't understand the terms, language or intent of the job listing iT AIN'T THE JOB FOR YOU.
SGIA looks like on first blush to be a remarkably powerful organization . as such there is definately a high water mark that most of the folks here (onTSB) I believe , would simply drown in the lower depths.
I think of such organizations as kind of like a jet leaving a contrail in the sky. If you are qualified to fly the jet JOIN THE GROUP,
If you are big enough to fly first class JOIN THE GROUP, If you are a frquent flyer you might want to join the group. If you fly once or twice a year or less then you are simply part of he contrail and will most likey gain no benefit and find yourself evaporating in the rear view mirror.
The TSB certainly has some skilled pilots and many, many, first class flyers but like a commercial jet most of the seats are assigned to ink jockeys like me. If you are not seated in the first 6- 12 rows of Silkscreen Air my guess SGIA is not for you.
mooseman
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I guess my question would be-
What is SGIA's goal aside from membership fees? Draw more people/attention to their classes offered on the east coast? More advertisers, editions and "meat" for their garment publications? Greater attendance or becoming the "go to" trade show?
I don't think any of those are easily feasible or even realistic.
As a "potential" member, I would want ACTUAL benefits, although as I already said a fancy plaque doors sound nice....
-Maybe working with wholesalers to establish year end rebates. Some of us see these when you reach a annual sales volume, but most, myself included would see this as a perk.
-Information, resources, and contacts for shipping zone jumps. These exist everywhere, you need to have the time and dedication to find them.
-ACTUAL buying/discount perks. I'm not talking the BS shipping stuff they have now. Invest more than 5 minutes with a vendor and establish REAL deep discounts. This could extend to suppliers. I have our usual ink, emulsion, ect. suppliers that we get discounts from. If they are out of something and we have to turn to a 3rd or 4th choice supplier, it would be nice to have a 10% SGIA discount.
-Supporting resources we find valuable(read- paid advertising on TSB).
-Software/subscription discounts. Off the top of my head- Adobe, Intuit, Shopworx, PriceIt, InkSoft, clip art, sure there are others out there I'm missing.
-Social media resources. This is way over my head I will admit this. But I know the more exposure the better. Maybe feature a different shop weakly(shops would have to submit write ups and photos).
-Credit card processor negotiated rates. Again, this would have to be better than a basic or "Sam's club" discount. Spending time seriously negotiating here can make a difference. Rates that we as individual companies would have a hard time getting.
-CRAZY idea here.... Scale back the textile part of the SGIA show(maybe even every other year) and partner with Impressions for ISS Long Beach... A Long Beach show that is larger(probably need a different venue) more classes, another day, cut the BS red tape that surrounds some things or topics. Speakers from around the globe. The vendors could make their booths that much better/bigger because they don't have to split their trade show budget between 2 shows.
I know this idea is extreme. Fact is the SGIA show will NEVER be as popular for textile printers as Long Beach is until the all garment manufacturers/distributors start having booths.
I know I am extreme, high maintenance, and probably a bitch of a customer to have(my list of demands above may be proof) but I have really always kind of wished there was a association that would ACTUALLY provide benefits for us.
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What does membership cost?
Why doesn't anyone want to answer this question?
sorry, just trying to keep the thread on topic. . .
pierre
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I am a member and will continue to be, but I have to say I agree with all of Alex's points.
I look at it as pretty much the only major industry organization for us, and kinda like a 'chamber of commerce' membership. We are active in 2 of our chambers, the 3rd one is more for 'street-cred', and while we do get some work out of those members, it's more to be part of the community.
I could be wrong, but the $450 it costs per year to be a member isn't really a killer in my book, and if they start to do more/better things in the future all the better.
It has seemed to be turning VERY flat-stock/non-textile tho, so I may re-evaluate in a few years.
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I could be wrong, but the $450 it costs per year to be a member isn't really a killer in my book,
I agree with you here, the sticker, plaque and cool club status would almost make me join. It's the principal here that bothers me.
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What does membership cost?
Why doesn't anyone want to answer this question?
sorry, just trying to keep the thread on topic. . .
pierre
Cost could be a huge reason someone would or wouldn't join. So it might "take" a lower price for someone to join.
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At $800 for us id have to see some value that I can't google for. That's what it would take for me to join.
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We feel the cost is to high with what you get out of it. Reduce the fees and maybe more will join.
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REAL discounts on top of the ones we have already negotiated would be nice. We have already negotiated large discounts on just about every product or service we use. I often find that discounts offer by associations like this are less than we already have.
Also, organizations that attempt to be all things to all people become diluted in value... IMO. Which I'm guessing is one of the reasons why the price is what it is. We would be more inclined to join an association that focuses on our core. Not one where 75% of the information is focused on 0% of our business. Even the tagline of SGIA says "Supporting the wide format community". We are in the t-shirt screen printing business, not the poster business. I'm guessing that many of the forum members are like us.
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"Supporting the wide format community".
Woah, I totally thought ment supporting 2XL-5XL....
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"Supporting the wide format community".
Woah, I totally thought ment supporting 2XL-5XL....
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What does membership cost?
Why doesn't anyone want to answer this question?
From my viewpoint I simply have not made the time to research it yet. Thanks to our green amphibian friend for the link.
However I spoke with SGIA yesterday and they are slammed with preparation for the planning meetings Mon-Wed of next week and this thread is on the membership committee task list as of now.
One of their digital media staff is going to be tasked with adding TSB to their reading/monitoring list so as to respond to inquiries such as this thread with factual current data.
Should be Scott Carter so when he starts posting/responding be patient and welcome him to the party.
Greg: So glad to hear that SGIA is coming to the party, and will be an active participant here on TSB. I have been relentless in my pursuit of the Executive Leadership from one of the major Textile Screen-Printing Ink Manufacturers in trying to convince them that they need to develop a presence on The Shirt Board. Recently this companies Director Of Marketing assured me that he supported the concept and that he would be requesting a resource to participate on this site with his 2016 Manpower Staffing Plan.
I laughed a little at his comment and told him that Nazdar SourceOne didn't have any dedicated resources, and the best part-timers we have are Rob Coleman, a couple of our Inside Sales people and that old and balding Australian guy. But at least we were better off than M&R who really only have their Company Founder and CEO to participate. The thing that I love the most about this industry is that the people who thrive and survive all have a passion, and the really smart people that don't get it, are normally pushed aside.
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I know I am extreme, high maintenance, and probably a bitch of a customer to have(my list of demands above may be proof) but I have really always kind of wished there was a association that would ACTUALLY provide benefits for us.
Alex,
You are quickly becoming my hero and soon may move into the my mentor category?
I really like the questions you ask and kind of remind me of a t-shirt guy in Decatur IN before he became a little bit lazy and accepting of the status quo! Keep asking those high maintenance questions -somebody needs to.
Everything you mentioned can possibly be a benefit of association membership however must be done very carefully to avoid any appearance of price fixing or monopolistic practices, Put your lawyer hat on and read the attachment.
TSB generally does a very good job of keeping the conversation positive and this thread is a great example of that. Keep the hard facts /questions coming and I will do my best to bring SGIA to the party as the balding, (chubby?) Aussie mentioned.
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I think of such organizations as kind of like a jet leaving a contrail in the sky. If you are qualified to fly the jet JOIN THE GROUP,
If you are big enough to fly first class JOIN THE GROUP, If you are a frquent flyer you might want to join the group. If you fly once or twice a year or less then you are simply part of he contrail and will most likey gain no benefit and find yourself evaporating in the rear view mirror.
mooseman
Well looks like this may become a metaphor day. About a million years ago my home town had a small town crisis when the local HS Athletic Director started scheduling games with schools that were much larger than ours and the feeling was that the kids would become depressed because they would lose a lot of games. Can't have the kids unhappy can we.
AD stood his ground and the athletes got their butts handed to them a few times and responded by working harder, imagine that. Big problem the next couple of years was they were running out of hallway space for trophy cabinets.
SO in my mind joining the Diamond FF programs of screenprinting allows me to work on my business. See you guys in the skylounge!
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I will do my best to bring SGIA to the party as the balding, (chubby?) Aussie mentioned.
Kitson, I self labelled myself as "Old & Balding" but you had to go and pile it on with adding Chubby! You're a hard man Greg!
Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you in Long Beach.
Peter
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I will do my best to bring SGIA to the party as the balding, (chubby?) Aussie mentioned.
Kitson, I self labelled myself as "Old & Balding" but you had to go and pile it on with adding Chubby! You're a hard man Greg!
Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you in Long Beach.
Peter
I left chubby behind many years ago, therefore I permit myself to use it in defining 'friends.
Looking forward to our scheduled time together and meeting Danny Sweem in Long Beach.
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Greg, I can certainly appreciate your energy in driving membership to SGIA.
But by your logic the AD you reference did those kids a huge disservice because he did not set them against college and pro teams. Think of he potential success if a small high school team was winning against college giants.
Realistically guys like Alen802 are your perfect candidates, he studies, works very hard,( from what I see), to advance himself and strengthen the industry, very progressive and deeply involved in the industry. Additionally many of us here would love to rise to the level of Blue Moon, or Dot Tone Dan, others not so much, some are happy to pioneer and profit in our own way.
Again I applaud your energy in the industry and certainly on here on TSB, your are highly respected by all standards here and to this industry , but you have to know in your heart of hearts SGIA is not for everyone who stains tee shirt.
One suggestion though, I belong to a very progressive and growing club where we offer, on a one time basis, perspective members a one year trial entry at a very insignificant first year fee.
Most who take advantage stay some decide it is not for them, either way everyone wins.
Would love to join you in the skylounge but the rarefied air there.....well i said enough.
Respectfully
mooseman
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Hi There Everyone!
Sorry I am a little late to the party. As Greg mentioned, we are getting ourselves ready for some upcoming meetings Monday - Wednesday. To formally introduce myself, My name is Scott Carter and I am SGIA's Membership Development Associate.
Reading through this thread I see some excellent points, challenging (but good) questions, difference of opinions, and a SERIOUS PLAQUE DEBATE. First and foremost, our plaques are quality! Not some dinky piece of paper. Hopefully, at this point, you are starting to see that I do have a sense of humor.
Our website can be a little tricky, so a good jumping off point would be to make sure that everyone is going to the appropriate site. In other words, make sure you are going to SGIA's garment site @ www.sgia.org/garment (http://www.sgia.org/garment). Now, check out the tagline on that puppy ("Mastering the Art of Garment Decoration"). Here, you can find all the tools you need to win.
Pricing. Ah, yes, ye old pricing question. We really put forth our best effort to give our members a high value, at the best bang for the buck. If your annual revenue is $249,999 or less, membership is $300. If you are international, it is $200. If that doesn't fit your budget, I strongly encourage you to look at our subscription/individual membership. You will receive the Journal along with limited access to the website resources for just $39.99 a quarter.
We will be taking some suggestions from the thread to our meetings this coming week. I will be floating around this forum to answer questions and join in on the conversations.
Thanks!
Scott
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Welcome Scott.
Maybe if you throw out a few teasers on here of the benefits one would get being a member, like articles that apply to the average member here, or some of the supplier discounts.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
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Hi There Everyone!
Sorry I am a little late to the party. As Greg mentioned, we are getting ourselves ready for some upcoming meetings Monday - Wednesday. To formally introduce myself, My name is Scott Carter and I am SGIA's Membership Development Associate.
Reading through this thread I see some excellent points, challenging (but good) questions, difference of opinions, and a SERIOUS PLAQUE DEBATE. First and foremost, our plaques are quality! Not some dinky piece of paper. Hopefully, at this point, you are starting to see that I do have a sense of humor.
Our website can be a little tricky, so a good jumping off point would be to make sure that everyone is going to the appropriate site. In other words, make sure you are going to SGIA's garment site @ [url=http://www.sgia.org/garment]www.sgia.org/garment[/url] ([url]http://www.sgia.org/garment[/url]). Now, check out the tagline on that puppy ("Mastering the Art of Garment Decoration"). Here, you can find all the tools you need to win.
Pricing. Ah, yes, ye old pricing question. We really put forth our best effort to give our members a high value, at the best bang for the buck. If your annual revenue is $249,999 or less, membership is $300. If you are international, it is $200. If that doesn't fit your budget, I strongly encourage you to look at our subscription/individual membership. You will receive the Journal along with limited access to the website resources for just $39.99 a quarter.
We will be taking some suggestions from the thread to our meetings this coming week. I will be floating around this forum to answer questions and join in on the conversations.
Thanks!
Scott
Scott: I'd like to welcome you the www.TheShirtBoard.com (http://www.TheShirtBoard.com) aka TSB community, and to say that it's great to have some active representation from SGIA on the site. I've had the opportunity as an Industry Supplier to have close contact with the Leadership of SGIA and I continue to be impressed with the many programs that the Association has put in place for the Garment Decorating Community. With that said, I do think that the SGIA is suffering a bit of an identity crisis in the Garment Decorating space given the proliferation of Wide and Grand Format Inkjet Printing equipment manufacturers and suppliers who currently dominate the SGIA Expo.
This change in the mix of suppliers at the Expo can be felt by the number of screen-print centric companies from the garment decorating segment that didn't exhibit at the recent SGIA in Atlanta that included: International Coatings, Rutland Group , PolyOne Wilflex, and many of the pre-press product manufacturer / suppliers. in fact had it not been for the very significant displays by M&R, Ryonet/San Roque, The SGIA Garment Zone and a number of DTG manufacturers the representation of garment decorating at the 2015 SGIA would have been quite sparse.
Whats interesting to me is that many of the manufacturer/suppliers that didn't exhibit in Atlanta at SGIA are all going to be at ISS Long Beach. It would seem to me that SGIA would benefit by promoting the value of membership in the Association and participation at the annual SGIA Expo by reaching out to both the printer and the supplier communities.
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What would it take for me?.... Well, The dues scale seems backwards, catering more to Dudley's and the international market than big players right in your own backyard. The site is confusing and doesn't really address benefits, but has the feel of a poorly managed union meeting and gov. regulation, And a plaque in any context or quality most likely is of no use to me ....So what would it take? It just aint going to happen.... TSB (and a few other sites not to be mentioned here) Not only have the highest quality real world members with a wealth of information, but IMO would be far more deserving of any dues/donations.
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I'd guess there are some real benefits to joining, but it seems like you need to be very active and digging through the membership to make it worth it. I just don't have time at this point... I know i'd get to the end of the year and realize I spent the $475 and never had the time to do anything with it.
Maybe it's easier than it seems... maybe the idea of a reduced 1st year rate is a good one.
And putting more of the immediate benefits right up front... it all seems like a bit of a mystery... you have to join and figure out.
And paying into something that gets you a nice Plaque sounds backwards... aren't you supposed to be awarded a Plaque? :o
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And paying into something that gets you a nice Plaque sounds backwards... aren't you supposed to be awarded a Plaque? :o
I believe that these plaques are more like the awards and diplomas in your doctor's office. It could mean something to clients or potential clients if (or once) the organization is recognized as the organization known for attracting industry stars and stalwarts.
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What would it take for me?.... Well, The dues scale seems backwards, catering more to Dudley's and the international market than big players right in your own backyard. The site is confusing and doesn't really address benefits, but has the feel of a poorly managed union meeting and gov. regulation, And a plaque in any context or quality most likely is of no use to me ....So what would it take? It just aint going to happen.... TSB (and a few other sites not to be mentioned here) Not only have the highest quality real world members with a wealth of information, but IMO would be far more deserving of any dues/donations.
Well, there you have it. $300.00 membership dues coming up. :) LOL. Just kidding.
When I was in sales at another Co. I had access to a membership program that gave you info and contacts + marketing info. It was cumbersome to navigate. If you put the time into it, the benefits were worth the cost when obtaining just one sale. I imagine this is similar.
By the way, you can always mention other forums or groups on here. We are not restrictive to info.
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It is safe to say that our membership will not be a fit for everyone. We do have some excellent resources such as our industry bench marking reports, wage compensation surveys, classifieds, webinars, and our journals. You can view the details of them at this link... https://www.sgia.org/sgia/sgia-member-benefits-and-subscription-features (https://www.sgia.org/sgia/sgia-member-benefits-and-subscription-features)
Specifically, in regards to the discounts, click here... https://www.sgia.org/membership/feature/dont-pay-full-price-use-sgia-member-discounts (https://www.sgia.org/membership/feature/dont-pay-full-price-use-sgia-member-discounts)
Pwalsh, thank you for your input! We certainly do make an effort to reach out to both printer and supplier communities. I will absolutely forward on your thoughts of the garment suppliers participation level at the show.
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-UPDATE-
Not that anyone really cares, but if you are the type that like the prize in the cereal box or cracker jack box prepare to be disappointed as I just was... Turns out if you join SGIA now this fancy plaque I was all so happy to hang on my bare wall of accomplishments, ya, well now if you join that plaque sets you back a extra $40 >:(
I had been waiting so long for this fancy recognition.... :'( I may print out the membership payment page and hang that up now... ;D
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I can understand that. Maybe if they made the plaques smaller, less expensive it wouldn't be as offensive or such a surprise. When you win a category in the print competitions you also must buy your award to hand on the wall if you want. I was turned off by that. One might think that all of the entry fees of others and yours would cover 12 plaques of the winners. I'm sure it's a feasible reason and they know why they need charge that and we just don't see it on the service.
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Sounds like a joke to me.
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Ya, tacky is a understatement...
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I can understand that. Maybe if they made the plaques smaller, less expensive it wouldn't be as offensive or such a surprise. When you win a category in the print competitions you also must buy your award to hand on the wall if you want. I was turned off by that. One might think that all of the entry fees of others and yours would cover 12 plaques of the winners. I'm sure it's a feasible reason and they know why they need charge that and we just don't see it on the service.
Golden Image plaques come free of charge, it's the additional ones that cost money . . .
pierre
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Why do they punish a large revenue shop with more to pay for dues. Why would their fees be tied to my revenue? They have set themselves up like all other government and various organizations as far as fees (or fines) - the more you make, the more you pay. We big printers will and should need less from SGIA as the smaller shops. We, by now, should have already covered all that stuff or suffer the consequences of OSHA and the like. Don't punish the small guy either. One fee to join, other fees for stuff you need as you need it. I don't want it to be free - everyone needs to make a living. If they re-think how they charge, they just might make more money in the buffet style fee schedule. They may even double their membership and sell more of the relevant "packages". Just like joining a gym, the dues are the same for everyone but the tennis lesson will cost you extra.
I like SGIA but will not join for this reason.
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Why do they punish a large revenue shop with more to pay for dues. Why would their fees be tied to my revenue? They have set themselves up like all other government and various organizations as far as fees (or fines) - the more you make, the more you pay. We big printers will and should need less from SGIA as the smaller shops. We, by now, should have already covered all that stuff or suffer the consequences of OSHA and the like. Don't punish the small guy either. One fee to join, other fees for stuff you need as you need it. I don't want it to be free - everyone needs to make a living. If they re-think how they charge, they just might make more money in the buffet style fee schedule. They may even double their membership and sell more of the relevant "packages". Just like joining a gym, the dues are the same for everyone but the tennis lesson will cost you extra.
I like SGIA but will not join for this reason.
I like this idea and will bring it up next time we meet. It is not very likely to happen as it would require massive retooling on the charge side, but it is worth bringing up.
Also, Dan and Alex just complained about the $40 fee for the plaque. So it is possible that the buffet style might not go over too well.
The biggest knock down on the SGIA was that for the fees you are not getting the sense of belonging to a group. TSB is free and there is a sense of community which lacks over there.
pierre