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• ERA, the voice of manufacturers, representatives, contributes to members' success.
• National ERA creates an atmosphere for business opportunities.
• Northern California ERA offers programs and benefits encompassing education, training, publications and trade shows. And something else - camaraderie, the opportunity to network with fellow reps in a very real sharing of the rep experience.

The ERA is a partnership - National and Chapter - with the sum greater than its parts.

Chapter Meetings - Dinner meetings feature experts in technology, business, finance and government, discussing topics of interest to principals of member firms as well as to field and office personnel.

Joint Meetings - The Chapter co-hosts seminars and meetings with other industry groups active in engineering, purchasing and management.

Business and Financial Planning - Advice on year end tax planning and financial controls, legal guidance and business organization are features of specialized seminars.

Educational Programs - Training and technical seminars are aimed at upgrading computer skills, product knowledge and selling techniques of field and inside salespeople.

Owners' Forums - Rep firm owners meet in an informal atmosphere (usually at lunch) to exchange ideas on a specific subject. Each attendee comes prepared to contribute. A moderator keeps the information flowing. An outside expert is usually on hand to answer technical questions and provide advice.

Electronics Product Directory - The guide is published on-line by the Northern California Chapter and lists all members, with individual pages for participating representatives showcasing their specific manufacturers and products, services, facilities and capabilities. There is a cross reference product index and a directory of manufacturers. Companies seeking representation in Northern California invariably look to the ERA Directory first - a definite edge for ERA members in obtaining new lines.

Electronics Industry Locator - The nationally distributed Electronics Representatives Directory is published by the ERA. It includes a listing of ERA member firms indexed by chapter and provides information on each member firm including ownership, facilities and services, territory, product specialties, number of employees and branch offices. It also contains a telephone directory of 6,400+ electronics industry manufacturers' representatives identifying major areas of product interest and the Electronics Industry Calendar of Trade Shows and Events.

Internet Program - Participating companies in the ERA's Internet program list information "on line" about the companies and products they represent, together with services, staff and facilities. The "directory on the Internet" allows electronic communication with manufacturers and customers and the option of hyperlinks to manufacturers and distributors. The Chapter web page address is http://www.ncalera.org/.

All ERA members belong to both a Chapter - Northern California - and the National organization. ERA National provides offers a variety of services to all its members, including:

Lines Available - A monthly list is sent to all members of manufacturers seeking representation, by geography, product category and customer base. Computerized Lines Available listings are a feature for members-only at ERA booths at leading trade shows. A Hot Lines service allows a manufacturer to target a single listing to member firms in selected market groups or territories.

The Representor - This magazine reports on industry, economic and government influences on the representative system of selling, along with business advice and case studies.

Contract Guidelines - Sample contracts establish guidelines for legal relationships between representatives and manufacturers and representatives and employees.

Management Conferences - Multi-day national and regional programs involve workshops, seminars and panel discussions to develop management, operating and selling techniques.

Certification Program - ERA is a charter participant in the Certified Professional Manufacturers' Representative (CPMA), an accredited curriculum designed for representatives seeking the highest levels of skill and knowledge. The three-year CPMA accreditation course is offered at Indiana University and Arizona State University.

Telephone Service - ERA members can obtain major discounts on long distance and other telephone rates.

Computer Programs - Special rep-oriented computer software programs are available.

Group Insurance - Maximum coverage at competitive rates is available to member firms and employees.

Life Insurance Dental

Major Medical/Hospital Coverage Profit Sharing

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Product-Casualty Liability

Long-Term Disability

Associate (Manufacturer) Members - Manufacturers working with ERA members may join ERA and participate in national conferences and other activities.

The ERA National offices are located at:

444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1960
Chicago, IL 60611
PHN: 312 527-3050
FAX: 312 527-3783

E-mail: info@era.org
Internet: http://www.era.org/