Advantages of being a PNWCTA member.
Members
have the opportunity to join with other Christmas tree growers,
buyers, retailers, educators and suppliers to exchange ideas,
information and methods.
Members have the advantage of market exposure at the September
Tree Fair and Trade Show--the largest show of its kind in our
industry--where Buyers and Sellers traditionally meet. It features
industry equipment and supplies on display as well as retail lot
demonstrations, research and marketing information and much
more!
Members may also attend the Short Course seminar and the Summer
Meeting and Farm Tour. At each event experts discuss topics such as
new growing and harvesting methods, pesticide and safety
information, business practices and tax implications for those
involved in our industry.
For just $50, members have the opportunity to be listed in the
annual Buy-Sell Directory which places the sellers' name,
contact information and trees available before prospective buyers
across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Directory is published in
May and is offered, free of charge, to interested buyers
nationwide.
Members receive a 15 percent discount on advertising in the
Christmas Tree Lookout and the Buy-Sell
Directory. Members receive the Christmas Tree Lookout
magazine as part of their membership dues. The Lookout
contains informative articles on all aspects of the Christmas tree
industry as well as information on Association activities. The
Lookout is considered the top publication of its kind in
the Christmas tree industry
For $50, Choose & Cut members may list in a colorful Guide
which is distributed free of charge throughout Oregon and
Washington during the holiday season. The Guide includes a map and
provides name, address and phone number, trees available and
services offered. It is offered free to the public through various
community organizations, radio, newspapers, television and is on
our website.
Members receive an annual Membership Directory. The
Directory is a ready resource containing helpful information such
as fellow member contact information as well as types of trees or
services that they provide.
Members receive discounted group rates on liability insurance for
retail lots and/or Choose & Cut operations.
Members may take advantage of a November Hotline which informs
last-minute buyers which growers still have trees available.
All members have the opportunity to purchase a mailing list of
potential buyers. The list is kept current and contains several
thousand names of interested buyers and can be sorted by state
and/or zip code.
A Retailer Committee investigates questions of interest on the
consumer level such as lot operation, keepability, marketing and
liability insurance.
The Research Committee is responsible for selecting research
subjects and directing ensuing studies. It has guided research on
subjects of major interest to growers such as tree diseases,
Douglas-fir and noble fir provenance tests, clone development,
stress in tree growth and quality, soil management and seedling
research.
Members also receive the benefit of marketing backup such as
retail ads, brochures and public relations in national consumer
magazines. Additionally, the Marketing Committee is responsible for
the national promotion of the Association's Buy-Sell Directory to
wholesale Christmas tree buyers.
Through the Tree Industry Partnership (TIP) program, PNWCTA
members contribute to the National Christmas Tree Association.
These funds support ongoing national industry programs including
legislative representation in Washington D.C., public relations
effort with schools and media stations, coordination of municipal
recycling efforts with the Solid Waste Association of North America
(SWANA) and many other industry programs.