Common NSSEA and Membership Questions

• What is NSSEA and what do you do?

• What are NSSEA's membership categories?

• How do I become a member of NSSEA?

• What can NSSEA do for my company?

• What is the cost of membership?

• Can my company join in the middle of the year, and if so, do I pay the full price or is it prorated?
  

TradeShow/Events Questions

• What are the differences between NSSEA's two shows?

• What is a co-located show?
  

Publication/Information and Ordering Questions

• Does NSSEA offer any information or publications that will help me identify trends in the educational marketplace?

• Is it possible to get a copy of your member roster and/or membership directory?
  

Other Information

• What is the Mentor Network, and how does it work?

• What is NAW and how are they related to NSSEA?

• I’m aware of the trade publications NSSEA provides, but where do I get more detailed statistics on schools?
  

What is NSSEA and what do you do?

Founded in 1916, the National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) is a member-driven trade association comprised of various companies within the educational marketplace. Our members are the major decision-makers that shape the focus and direction of this organization and contribute a considerable amount of time to develop NSSEA's mission, goals, and strategies. Our mission is to provide educational programs, information services, and trade events that members need to equip themselves for success in the education market.

What are NSSEA's membership categories?

NSSEA’s membership has four different member classifications:

• Dealer Members are businesses that buy multiple product lines from manufacturers/suppliers/publishers for resale to schools/consumers through a sales force, retail stores, or by mail order (phone, catalog, online). Click here for the Dealer Membership Application Form PDF.

• Supplier Members are businesses that produce and/or supply products and sells them to dealers for resale to schools/consumers. This category includes manufacturers, content publishers, importers, and wholesalers that buy multiple product lines. Click here for the Supplier Membership Application Form PDF.

• Service Provider Members are businesses that offer a service or product to promote/improve business in the educational products industry. This category includes catalog printers, consultants, trade publishers, inventory/POS software system providers, mail list brokers, retail fixture manufacturers, and online service providers. Click here for the Service Provider Membership Application Form.

• Independent Manufacturers Representatives Members are independent commissioned agents that represent two or more suppliers in selling products to dealers, with orders written in the name of the supplier. Click here for the Independent Manufacturers Representatives Application Form.

Contact memberservices@nssea.org to learn more about these types of membership categories.

How do I become a member of NSSEA?

In order to become a member, a company must currently be in business in the school market. Companies within the United States must be able to provide a Federal Tax ID number. International members must supply a business license number. In addition, a company must also be able to supply three trade references. Click here to go back to the main NSSEA Membership Join information page.

What can NSSEA do for my company?

Our mission is to provide programs, services, and trade events that members need to equip themselves for success. NSSEA provides a variety of affinity programs, networking opportunities, industry publications, and marketing support.

What is the cost of membership?

Membership dues are based on a company’s gross annual sales in the education market. Dealer dues begin at $165 with an application processing fee of $50. Supplier/Service Provider dues start at $600, and Independent Manufacturers Rep dues are $310. The application processing fee for each of these member types is $100.

If my company joins in the middle of the year, do I pay the full price or is it prorated?

Although the calendar year begins January 1, NSSEA’s fiscal year doesn’t begin until October 1. Whether you join January 1 or June 1, you are required to pay the entire dues amount. When it’s time for your second year’s renewal, a prorated amount is assessed (partial dues payment), thereby allowing you to be on a schedule of yearly dues renewals, every September 30, with the rest of the members.

What are the differences between NSSEA’s two tradeshows?

The School Equipment Show targets the equipment/furniture segments of the industry. Equipment suppliers and distributors are encouraged to invite their specifier customers to shop the floor along with distributors. Equipment manufacturers hold sales meetings to assist their distributors with training since equipment/furniture products usually involve more in-depth demonstration. Workshops target equipment distributors and specifiers (school officials, administrators, architects, and facility planners). For more information, on the School Equipment Show click here.
    Ed Expo is the largest of the NSSEA tradeshows. This show is perfectly timed for back to school ordering. Educational sessions at this show target resellers (dealers) in the school market. No school personnel or consumers are allowed to attend — this show consists strictly of business to business exhibitions. For more information, on Ed Expo click here.

You do not have to be a member to attend any of the tradeshows, but you do receive significant discounts on booth space and registration fees if you are.

What is a co-located show?

Beginning in 2006, the School Equipment Show and Ed Expo will be co-located in one convention center. The co-location of these two stand-alone events will bring all segments of the educational products industry together in separate but adjacent exhibit halls. Ed Expo will retain its Thursday - Saturday format, while the School Equipment Show will follow a newly adopted Friday - Sunday format. These new co-located shows will be the largest event of its kind in the education industry!

Can NSSEA help me identify trends in the educational marketplace?

Essentials, the association’s bi-monthly magazine offers an array of market information. The State of the School Market, a special supplement to Essentials published every summer, gives a detailed overview of education trends and issues.

   To help you research the parent/teacher retail market by analyzing operation and profitability trends among school supply retailers, NSSEA retail store operations are profiled in the NSSEA Retail Store Report. NSSEA’s Retail Market Awareness Study explores purchasing patterns of teachers and parents in educational product stores. All reports are included as a benefit to the member, but nonmembers are allowed to purchase them. For more information on NSSEA industry reports and publications, click here.

   Members can also pose questions regarding trends in the educational market place on the NSSEA Member Forum List Server. This automated email discussion group, exclusive to NSSEA members, is designed to improve communication among members, and to offer a forum for exchanging ideas and thoughts. Once you join— as long as you’ve provided us with an email address, you will be added automatically, unless you notify us otherwise.

Is it possible to get a copy of your member roster and/or membership directory?

The NSSEA Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide, distributed every February, and mailing lists are available only to members of NSSEA. Members can request a mailing list on “sticker” labels, or in an electronic file. Customized sorts are also available. Also, members who exhibit at any NSSEA tradeshow can order a free set of dealer labels to use as part of their preshow promotions for any show in which they participate.

What is the Mentor Network, and how does it work?

A mentor is a great resource for answering your questions about the industry. NSSEA works with the NSSEA committee for Leadership, Education and Development (L.E.A.D.) in assigning a mentor to all new members. Additionally, members can directly contact any one of our volunteer mentors who have offered their assistance. NSSEA also provides a list of Official Consultants that can help in the areas of marketing, traffic, tradeshow exhibiting, educational technology, business finance, law, or funding/niche markets. For questions about the Mentor Network Program, please contact Karen Prince at kprince@nssea.org or (800) 395-5550, ext. 35.

What is NAW and how are they related to NSSEA?

As a member of NSSEA you are also a member of NAW — the National Association of Wholesalers-Distributors.

   NSSEA and NAW have partnered to bring you more programs to benefit your company. Through NAW you are eligible to participate in a number of programs such as Medical and Disability Insurance for your employees, Property & Casualty insurance for your business, Hertz car rental discounts, Sprint long distance discounts, shipping discounts and other informative programs to aid your business success. To learn more about NAW and programs offered, please log onto www.naw.org.

I’m aware of the trade publications NSSEA provides, but where do I get more detailed statistics on schools?

Additional sources for research can be found at the National Library of Education (NLE), which is part of the U.S. Department of Education. The NLE issues about 100 education publications annually, including the Digest of Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics, and The Condition of Education. For more information, call (800) 424-1616 or visit www.nces.ed.gov.

If you have further questions about NSSEA membership and services, contact NSSEA Membership Specialist at memberservices@nssea.org or (800) 395-5550.