About the Program

Announcing the NMEDA Cooperative Awareness Program
In 2010, NMEDA will launch a multi-media, national awareness campaign. This campaign will benefit both NMEDA and QAP members, as well as those affected by physical disabilities. That means added value to the membership—and people's lifestyles. As awareness grows, the demand for mobility products and solutions delivered or installed by a qualified NMEDA dealer will follow. Don't worry, we've done our homework and the plan will be executed with deliberate, strategic steps.

Main objectives of the program
     -- Expand the customer base for mobility products
     -- Increase consumer awareness of the NMEDA and QAP brand names
     -- Increase customer traffic to NMEDA member stores vs. non-NMEDA
          members
     -- Add significant value to NMEDA and QAP membership as a consumer
          preference
     -- Positively affect the decision making of key business and advocacy
          groups (i.e. VA, Voc Rehab, hospitals, etc.)

Moving Automotive Mobility Products in a New Direction
This exciting new program will change the way NMEDA is viewed by its members and the outside world. The Cooperative Awareness Program is designed to promote NMEDA dealers and generate broader awareness for our entire organization. It will establish our authority with consumers as the number 1 choice and as the governing body in the automotive mobility industry. In doing so, it will generate increased business for our members.

Generating Awareness Program Funds
To generate funds for this program we have asked our manufacturer members to add a .5% (one-half of one percent) Awareness Fund Contribution to NMEDA member invoices. Contributions will be collected into a restricted account and used expressly for the purpose of advertising and promoting NMEDA members. The funds will be generated by the manufacturers and passed through the dealers to the consumer so that the net impact of any one contribution (by product sale) is negligible. However, the cumulative effect will be to raise an estimated annual budget of $1.5 million. NMEDA will provide administration of the fund under the oversight guidance of the IPR Committee. These restricted funds will be used for the sole purpose of promoting you, the NMEDA dealer, as the number one choice among consumers for automotive mobility products.

Unveiling the Awareness Program
Specifics of the advertising and promotional elements will be presented during the general business meeting at the 2010 Conference in Reno, NV and will include creative, media plans and promotional materials developed for your use in your local markets. Among the materials you will have access to will be radio and television commercials, newspaper and magazine ad layouts, and Web banners and ads that can all be tagged with your mobility business name. The entire Awareness Program is based on the same principles as other successful Association Programs including the RVIA's “Go RVing”, American Boating Association, NADA, and the California Milk Producers “Got Milk” Campaign. These successful campaigns illustrate how small individual contributions combined for the mutual benefit of the entire industry.

Over this past year the Industry and Public Relations Committee (IPR), Manufacturer's Ad Hoc Cooperative Advertising Committee, and the NMEDA Board of Directors have put a lot of time, energy and thought into developing this exciting and progressive step toward NMEDA's future. The expectation is that all NMEDA members will embrace this milestone program that will generate the kind of respect deserved for the ongoing conscientious service to people with disabilities. It's about time people know who we are… NMEDA!