Florida rep group offers half-off dues

Aims to help existing members, attract new ones

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 14, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — To attract new members and give existing ones a break, the Florida Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. is offering its first-ever half-off deal on dues.

"We took this unprecedented step in order to keep our existing members during these tough economic times and to encourage non-member Florida reps to join," said Eddie Gonzalez, president of the association. "We thought it was the right thing to do."

Annual dues are normally $55 but for 2009 they will be $27.50.

Membership in the FHFRA has been stable for the past couple of years, an official with the group said. The association has been providing services to sales representatives in the state since 1945.

According to the association, benefits of membership include recognition and respect in the industry; the ability to work on charity fundraisers with retailers, manufacturers and support industries; access to health and dental insurance programs; discounts offered by motels, Office Depot, Lyon Red Book, Verizon Wireless and trade publications; free legal advice, and more.

The group has a Web site at www.fhfra.org.