Electronic Retailer - December 2011 - 8

YOUR ASSOCIATION, YOUR BOTTOM LINE

BY JULIE COONS

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Resiliency During Tough Times
As 2011 draws to a close, it’s natural for many of us to remain apprehensive about what lies ahead in the New Year. Yet, despite the current economic climate, one thing is for certain: We are a resilient group. And one of the great strengths of our industry is our ability to be very responsive to consumers’ needs and behavior. That’s because as direct marketers, we measure every dollar in order to know how to move forward in our respective businesses. In addition, it’s our eternal optimism that enables us to steer through rough seas until things become calm once again. But in order to forge ahead, we must continue to cultivate new and prosperous business relationships within our community. The Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) is one of the most efficient and supportive ways to stay connected with the industry, especially in these tough economic times. perspective. Next year, we go back to Miami for The Great Ideas Summit 2012. And that’s not all ... in addition to hosting the conference at the luxurious Fontainebleau Miami Beach, we’re incorporating a number of new features that we anticipate will really enhance your ability to leverage the products and services of ERA and truly maximize your time during this three-day event. However, as much as networking has been a key member benefit, it was merely the tip of the iceberg in 2011. Throughout the year, ERA has been responsive in ensuring that the market stays accessible to our members. How? By advocating on your behalf in Washington. Through our government affairs efforts, we’ve make great strides, including: • The Restore Online Shopper’s Confidence Act: Working through ERA’s Government Affairs Committee, the industry effectively countered the most onerous provisions of this legislation as it worked through Congress to ultimate passage. As a result, marketers can continue to sell to their customers without fear of draconian enforcement action from the Federal Trade Commission. • FTC Expansion – Rulemaking Authority: To date, ERA and its allies have successfully repelled these efforts and remain vigilant moving forward to ensure that our industry does not feel the heavy hand of unnecessary regulatory oversight. • Streamlined Sales Tax: Year in and year out, ERA opposes efforts supported by the big-box retailers to force you to collect sales taxes from states in which you do not have a physical presence. • Counterfeit: Building on the association’s Counterfeiting Fact-Finding Program, affected ERA members have joined together to work on the issue. This work has included advocacy with policymakers, educational offerings for the membership, ERA comments to government agencies and an online resource for members. So, as we close one chapter and begin a new one, rest assured that ERA will be there to support your efforts now and long into the future.

Throughout the year, ERA has been responsive in ensuring that the market stays accessible to our members. How? By advocating on your behalf in Washington.
What makes people successful in good times will allow them to be successful in difficult times. Part of that is attributed to access and relationship building. That was certainly evident this past September at ERA’s 2011 D2C Convention, where more than 3,700 attendees converged in Las Vegas to reconnect with old acquaintances, forge new partnerships and close those important business deals. As we collectively look to the future, we return to a place that’s been very good to this industry from a networking and business development

electronicRETAILER | December 2011

Electronic Retailer - December 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Electronic Retailer - December 2011