When PTRA’s members convene in San Diego, California, in May, they will be experiencing just one of the many invaluable products/services that the 40-year-old rep association offers.

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau

Incorporated in 1972, the Power-Motion Technology Representatives Association (PTRA) has included in its goals from day one:

• Optimizing the value of independent sales representatives.
• Optimizing the value of the rep-principal relationship.
• Safeguarding the integrity of the independent manufacturers’ rep’s profession within the power transmission and motion control industries.
• Enhancing the professionalism of members.
• Operating as a stable association.

A search through MANA’s RepFinder will show that many PTRA members also are members of MANA. In addition, a large number of association members have earned MRERF’s Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR) designation.

Since 2005, PTRA has chosen MANA to assist in the association’s day-to-day operations and to gain from the synergies available to sister organizations resulting from associating with MANA. PTRA’s board continues to exercise complete control of its own destiny, membership and programs. Doug Bower, MANA’s Director of Strategic Alliances, serves as executive director of PTRA.

Current PTRA officers are: Mike Richie, CPMR, president; Jerry Rhodes, CPMR, 1st vice president; Gordon Jopling, CPMR, 2nd vice president; Kurt Fisher, CPMR, treasurer; Doug Landgraf, CPMR, secretary; Fred Crider, principal director 2012; Don Elfstrom, CPMR, immediate past president.

Currently PTRA counts approximately 155 independent manufacturers’ representative agencies and 80 allied (manufacturer) companies as members. Only reps are voting members of the association.

The association’s website (www.ptra.org) will educate visitors as to how many services it provides the membership. Included in those products/services are these:

Communication — PTRA’s Focus newsletter provides timely articles covering business trends/developments, as well as information on member activities, financial and legal matters.

Networking and Relationship Building — The association provides the membership with the opportunities to meet with existing and new manufacturers and for manufacturers to meet their reps. Another valuable tool when it comes to establishing and building relationships between reps and their principals is PTRA’s Locator. This directory, similar to directories available from other rep associations, allows principals to find reps and reps to locate new principals.

Annual Conference — Scheduled for May 20–23 at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California, PTRA’s 40th Conference will allow association members to learn about a number of subjects ranging from inside sales support, health insurance options, the value of reps to distributors and the continued impact of globalization. Also this year, Alan Beaulieu from the Institute of Trend Research, will make a repeat appearance as he lets reps and manufacturers learn what might be in their economic futures.

A regular part of the Annual Conference is the RepMix session where allied (manufacturer) members occupy booths, providing a forum for principals and reps to meet and discuss business issues of importance.

Education — Educational and round table sessions and a slate of timely and topical speakers primarily at the association’s annual conference enhance PTRA’s educational offering. In addition, the association offers complete information on the CPMR and CSP training and educational programs.

Other services include assistance with web design, legal counsel and sample rep contracts.

MANA members in the PTRA product classes are urged to consider dual membership in both associations.