​NATM is excited for new and revised sponsorship opportunities for 2020! There are marketing and general sponsorship opportunities available from $250 to $50,000 to fit any budget. Being a sponsor allows your company early access to booth selection, and provides a wide range of exposure, both electronically on NATM’s website and mobile app, as well as in print on the convention program map and in Tracks. This name recognition will help drive customers to your booth.
 
You can find the 2020 Sponsorship Brochure at: https://www.natm.com/sponsor.html. Don’t delay – these opportunities are going fast!
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 For more information about NATM’s 2020 Convention & Trade Show, including sponsorship opportunities and exhibit space, please contact Kelli Maydew at kelli.maydew@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433. 

Nominations are now open for the 2020-2023 term on the NATM Board of Directors. Would you like to be a part of the future success of NATM or do you know someone that would be a strong leader for the Association?

For more than 30 years, NATM has been fortunate to be guided by committed and visionary members serving on the NATM Board of Directors. It is because of these boards that NATM has a Compliance Verification Program, has been able to respond to issues such as tandem towing and tariff challenges, has created a national campaign to raise awareness of safe trailering and recently has been able to launch a Dealer Affiliation program. Through strategic planning, meaningful discussion and decisive action, the NATM Board is tasked with ensuring that the industry and the Association continues to thrive and grow.

Nominations Process
In accordance with the NATM Bylaws, the board of directors calls for nominations from the Association membership. Election of directors takes place by email ballot prior to the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show. Typically, the call for nominations goes out in September. Nominated candidates fill out a questionnaire, which is reviewed by the nominations committee. The nominations committee, chaired by the current vice president, selects a slate of candidates for approval by the board of directors. Ballots are sent to all NATM Regular and Associate Members in December. Regular members (trailer manufacturers) elect the regular member directors and associate members (suppliers/service provider) elect associate member directors.

Board Member Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend all board meetings and committee meetings, training sessions and special meetings, as appropriate in accordance with the board participation policy (must be available for occasional conference call meetings throughout the year). Annually, there are four in-person scheduled board meetings that include one at the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show.
• Attend and participate in the NATM Annual Convention & Trade Show. Board members are expected to attend and participate in as many convention meetings, luncheons and agenda events as possible.
• Attend meetings at your own expense (hotels can cost up to $250 per night and total meeting expenses including air fare will range from $1,000 to $1,500 per meeting).
• Understand and support the Association, its mission, goals, objectives, programs, operations and functioning.
• Participate fully and openly in board meetings, sharing insights, ideas and suggestions that may benefit the Association and the industry.
• Serve and actively participate on one or more committees, as appointed by the president.
• Keep informed about and know what is happening in the industry and never hesitate to ask questions or request information to enhance that knowledge.
• Make decisions on Association and industry-wide issues, policies, programs, goals and objectives based upon careful consideration of all relevant facts and data.
• Provide advice, counsel and encouragement to staff, including outside professionals, but offer constructive criticism when necessary and appropriate.
• Serve as an advocate for the trailer manufacturing industry and the Association, placing those interests ahead of your own and your company’s interests, consistent with the Board’s Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy.
• Carry out special assignments as requested by the board president.

Terms and Term Limits
Board members may serve two consecutive terms, of three years each, on the NATM Board of Directors. A member who is appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of directors is eligible to be elected for two complete terms following appointment to the board.

If you are interested or know someone who is interested in serving on the NATM Board of Directors, or would like more information about the responsibilities and time commitment for serving on the board, contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley at (785) 272-4433 or Kendra.Ansley@natm.com. Nominations must be received by Sept. 30, 2019 to be considered.   

​NATM trailer manufacturers who have never attended the NATM Convention, or who have not attended in the last five years, are eligible for two complimentary full registrations and two complimentary hotel room nights (while available) as part of the New Member Promotion. Full registrations include access to all events and meals (except Top Golf Tee-Off) outlined in the show calendar. This is an affordable opportunity for trailer manufacturers to receive top notch education, networking and develop supplier relationships all under the Vegas lights. Please contact NATM Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew at Kelli.Maydew@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433 to take advantage of this promotion! ​

​NATM is excited to announce a new opening event, “Tee Off to Convention!” Help “tee off” the week with this newly created Top Golf event, which will include food, drinks and fun on Monday, Feb. 10. Tickets can be purchased on www.NATM.com. Spots are limited so get yours today! ​

​In an effort to keep member profiles more secure, our website software provider will no longer allow NATM access to member passwords. Your login credentials have not been changed. However, with multiple upcoming events we wanted to ensure that every member can successfully log on to the website with their login credentials. If you haven’t done so recently, we would encourage you to log on to the members only side of NATM.com to ensure you know your company’s login credentials.
 
Can’t remember your username/password? No problem! You can reset your password here: https://bit.ly/33D2sCO. Simply enter your main contact’s email address and wait for the reset email from NATMHQ@natm.com. You may also call NATM at (785) 272-4433 and have your company’s credentials manually reset by NATM staff.
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In order to receive member pricing on Convention & Trade Show registration, you must be logged in to your member profile.  ​

Talking about the importance of trailers built to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) can be a daunting task. End-users do not understand the complex regulations governing compliant trailer manufacturing. They recognize that they would not purchase a car without seatbelts, but they do not understand that purchasing a trailer without key safety features can be just as dangerous. With limited face-to-face time with customers, dealers can struggle to sell compliance. But in order to improve safety and reassure your customers that your trailers meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, it is important to sell NATM Compliance as a key feature of a trailer.

To make things easier, NATM has created the "How to Sell Compliance" kit. This kit aims to help close the gap of communication between trailer manufacturers, dealers and end-users by providing trailer dealers with informative marketing pieces that will assist them in selling compliant trailers to their customers.

Jam-packed with informative safety resources, customizable business cards with an emphasis on your dealership’s dedication to safety, talking points for dealers to utilize and more, this kit will assist trailer dealers in becoming fluent in safe trailering.

NATM Dealer Affiliate Window Cling
NATM Dealer Affiliates receive a complimentary NATM Dealer Affiliate Window Cling. This window cling will allow your dealership to show its commitment to safety and compliance. Proudly display it to show customers that your dealership is a resource of information with a focus on safety and compliance.

Customizable Folding Business Card
With an emphasis on buying trailers that have been certified to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and best practices, these folding business cards are filled with information regarding the importance of buying NATM compliant trailers. Simply add your company logo and contact information to the business card template and pass out your dealership’s information and market your commitment to providing customers with compliant trailers.

Customizable Standard Business Card
Are folding business cards not your style? No worries! NATM also offers standard business cards for Dealer Affiliates. With the NATM Compliance Decal and the Dealer Affiliate Badge included on the card, your company is sure to be viewed as a leader in safety by your customers.

Informative Printables
These educational handouts are available for Dealer Affiliates to print and distribute to customers. With topics ranging from selecting the right trailer to the NATM Compliance Verification Program, customers can be assured they are shopping with a trustworthy dealer committed to safety education.

Compliant Trailer Posters
This 18 x 24-inch educational poster will help walk your customers through what it means to purchase an NATM Compliant trailer and can be proudly displayed in your dealership.

Selling Compliance – Talking Points
Talking about the importance of compliant trailers can be an intimidating task. With this list of talking points, communicating the importance of verified compliant trailers to your customers has never been easier. Impress your customers and instill confidence with your knowledge of federal regulations and your passion for safe trailering!
The NATM Dealer Affiliate “How to Sell Compliance” kit takes the stress out of discussing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards with end-users. Be the dealer your customers deserve and stand out from your competition by taking advantage of all of the benefits of being an NATM Dealer Affiliate.
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NATM Dealer Affiliates can contact Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew at Kelli.Maydew@natm.com, to receive access to this kit.

Not an NATM Dealer Affiliate? Visit www.NATM.com/dealers to learn more about the program. 

​NATM will be offering two educational webinars this Fall and Winter, which are both FREE for members and dealer affiliates.
 
August 30 – 2:00 PM CST
“Trailer Basics”

• Lighting
• Safety Chains
• Tires
• Load Capacities
• Safety
• Most Commonly Missed Compliance Checklist Items

 
Presenters: NATM Compliance Director Terry Jones and Technical Director Colin Holthaus.
REGISTER HERE!
 
December 6 – 2:00 PM CST
“Emerging Trends in Trailering”

• U.S. DOT Safety Statistics
• Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
• Electricity Statistics
• 2020 Rivian Electric Pick-Up Truck
• 2020 GM/Ford/Dodge Tow Features
• Robots in Trailer Manufacturing
• Trailer GVWR Analysis
• Camera Systems on Trailers
• OEM Tow Vehicle Camera Systems
• Aftermarket Camera Systems
• Trailer Antilock Brake Systems (ABS)
• Trailer Solar Kits
• Trailer Accent Lighting
• Tire Pressure & Heat Monitoring Systems
• Cargo Loading Software
• Cellular Connectivity

 
Presenter: NATM Technical Director Colin Holthaus.
REGISTER HERE!
 
*Non-members can participate for $50.00

The Boat Trailer Manufacturers Association (BTMA) awarded EZ Loader's Gary Potter with the BTMA Lifetime Achievement Award on June 4, 2019 during a meeting at EZ Loader that introduced new programs and product.
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The award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual who has great influence on the marine industry, specifically their accomplishments in the betterment of boat trailering safety and the boat trailering industry as a whole. Potter, Vice President of EZ Loader Custom Trailers in Arkansas, is set to retire later this year.

BTMA is composed of boat trailer and trailer component manufacturers that are active members of NMMA.

“Gary is extremely deserving of this recognition. As the only person to chair both the BTMA and the NATM, he brought these two organizations closer and into full cooperation on trailer certification in a manner that saved members money," said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. "Gary has served on NMMA Boards and has been an active and enthusiastic supporter of the industry. He is one of the industry’s great advocates.”

As a trailblazer in the boating industry, Potter’s list of contributions includes:

• Serving as the Chairman of the BTMA;
• Serving as Chairman of the NMMA Trailer Certification Committee;
• Serving on the NMMA Board of Directors and the NMMA Accessory Manufacturers Division Board of Directors;
• Greatly strengthening the NMMA Certification program by spearheading initiatives from ensuring trailers are shipped into states meeting legal braking requirements to mitigating wheel separation;
• Bringing NMMA and BTMA much closer to the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, and brought us into the age of joint-inspections between the organizations;
• Leading the association as BTMA made NMMA certification a requirement for all boat trailer manufacturing members;
• Ensuring boat trailers contributed in a meaningful way to industry growth by bringing BTMA into Grow Boating;
• Merging the NMMA Trailer Certification Committee into the BTMA Board; and
• Helping to develop safety information to help create an even safer boat trailering experience

​Robert Newsome, senior vice president of strategy, engineering standards and membership for NMMA, added, “There are very few people in this world that have done so much to improve an entire industry as Gary. In the past 15 years that I have had the pleasure to work with him, I have experienced first-hand his leadership and vision in so many areas.”

On Feb. 27, 2014, Gary Potter of EZ Loader Custom Boat Trailers was awarded the NATM Outstanding Member Award at NATM’s 26th Annual Convention & Trade Show for his significant contribution to the trailer manufacturing industry. EZ Loader Custom Boat Trailers has been an NATM member since 1997 and is one of the companies certified by both the NMMA and NATM.

He has served as the president of BTMA and as a board member for the National Association of Marine Products & Services.  It was Potter who brought NATM and NMMA together to form a coalition, initiated NATM’s participation in the annual Regulatory Roundup and advocated for the joint certification program between NATM and the NMMA’s Boat Trailer Manufacturer’s Association (BTMA).

Though integral in linking the marine and trailer industries, his involvement with NATM outside of those contributions is equally as impressive. He served as a board member from 2009 to 2013, serving as president of the Association from 2011 until 2013. Potter has also served on and chaired numerous NATM committees. During his time as president, he sat in on every single committee meeting held, his engagement unparalleled. He was also a member of the initial NATM Political Action Committee (PAC) Board, serving from 2010-2013. Gary Potter is greatly deserving of both the 2019 BTMA Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2014 NATM Outstanding Member Award.

NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley commented, “Gary was perhaps the most engaged and passionate NATM President the Association has seen. His enthusiasm for the industry and commitment to safety was one of the things that struck me most as a new staff person. His passion bred passion in those around him. His tenure on the board left an indelible mark on me.”
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To learn more about the BMTA, visit www.nmma.org/affiliates/btma. The original article can be found at https://www.nmma.org/press/article/22713.