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Distributor: Any
firm, company or corporation that is a
wholesaler-distributor of multi-brands of manufactured
tourist products, shall be eligible for Distributor
Membership. Tourist Products shall include, but are not
limited to, post cards, souvenirs, apparel, candy, toys,
books, gifts, figurines and other products intended for
sale to tourists. In order to provide a commonality of
interest among the members of the association, a
wholesaler-distributor of tourist products shall meet
each of the following criteria:
a) Own or control a business enterprise in which its
principal business is, and the majority of its revenues
are, derived from buying tourist products from
manufacturers and selling them to independent retailers.
b) At a minimum, purchase souvenir products from at
least five manufacturers for resale to independent
retailers.
c) Have been in business as a wholesaler-distributor in
the tourist products industry for twelve or more months
immediately preceding the date of its application.
d) Be a recognized wholesaler-distributor of tourist
products by a minimum of 25 independent retailers. For
the purposes hereof “independent retailers” shall not
include any retail outlet in which the applicant or any
officer, director, employee or partner of the applicant,
is related to or associated with, or has any financial
interest including, but not limited to, any direct or
indirect ownership of stock, leases, loans or the like.
e) Maintain a warehouse for its products which is
physically disconnected from any retail outlet.
f) Maintain a sales staff.
g) Provide a delivery service via its own trucks and/or
commercial trucks.
h) Produces a catalog or sell sheets of their products.
i) Please note that the above criteria are required to
determine whether an applicant is a distributor of
tourist products. If you have other information which
you believe will be of assistance in determining your
eligibility for membership in SWDA, please include such
information with this application.
To apply for Distributor membership,
complete and return the attached (form).
Affiliate: Any firm,
company or corporation, and manufacturer’s
representatives of such companies, which is a recognized
seller of Tourist Products to wholesaler-distributors,
shall be eligible for Supplier Membership. Tourist
Products shall include, but are not limited to, post
cards, souvenirs, apparel, candy, toys, books, gifts,
figurines and other products intended for sale to
tourists.
To apply for Supplier membership,
complete and return the attached (form).
Membership
Benefits
Since 1973, the Souvenir Wholesale Distributors
Association (SWDA) has served the needs of post card and
souvenir wholesaler distributors and their suppliers. By
offering educational and business programs, providing
networking opportunities, and sponsoring trade
expositions, SWDA helps its members meet the challenges
of today's marketplace.
Education
SWDA Annual Convention &
Trade Show
Each fall, SWDA stages the Annual Convention & Trade
Show - with educational programs, networking events and
the largest post card and souvenir trade show in the
U.S. devoted exclusively for wholesaler-distributors.
The event begins with a full day of general session,
seminars, panels, and product presentations designed to
keep your business on the cutting edge of industry
developments. This is followed by two full days of trade
show exhibits, providing a venue for previewing all the
latest products available for your business. The Annual
Convention & Trade Show is held in various cities
throughout North America, attracting distributors and
suppliers of post cards and souvenirs from around the
world!
Training/Seminars
SWDA occasionally offers training/seminars for members.
Awards
Each year the SWDA conducts an awards program honoring
the best Postcard & Souvenir designs for our members.
Awards are presented in 24 categories. Distributor of
the Year, Printer of the Year and Supplier of the Year
are also awarded. For more information, visit the awards
page.
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Publications
SWDA produces several publications including
SWDA Today, the association newsletter. This
members-only publication is distributed
quarterly to the leading wholesaler-distributors
of souvenirs and other tourist products
throughout North America and the Caribbean. SWDA
members look to the newsletter for news on
association activities, government action
affecting travel, tourism trends and member
updates.
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The EchoTrak™ web-based
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