National Association of Wholesalers (NAW)

Networking and Meetings: Representing all lines of trade in the wholesale distribution industry, NAW is uniquely positioned to offer its members programs that are designed to promote information exchange and benchmarking among noncompeting peers. The NAW Annual Meeting provides members of the industry, as well as the public, speakers and information related to a more efficient, productive, and profitable business operation. Specialized meetings are targeted by wholesale distribution company size and by executive responsibilities to better meet NAW's members' needs and to provide small group networking opportunities.

Government Relations and Coalitions: The mission of the NAW government relations team is to convey the wholesale distribution industry's views to the legislative and executive branches of the federal government, and to identify opportunities for the advancement of NAW's federal public policy agenda. NAW's principal grassroots advocacy tool is the Internet-based E-Alert Program through which NAW communicates with senior management of both NAW Direct Member companies and member companies of cosponsoring NAW-affiliated Member Associations. Also, the Washington Action Network catalogs the personal relationships that exist between individual wholesaler-distributors and Members of both houses of Congress. This network enables the NAW government relations team to tap the distribution industry's top-level "grass-tops" contacts with Representatives and Senators at the most critical points in legislative initiatives. Additionally, NAW is a leader in organizing and managing coalitions to address the wholesale distribution industry's national public policy priorities such as enactment of tax relief and advancing federal legal reform measures.

Communication and Publications: NAW informs its members and other interested parties about its programs and activities and pertinent issues affecting the wholesale distribution industry through its website; www.NAW.org. A free E-Newsletter, "NAW Smartbrief" delivers the most recent industry headlines, summaries, and links to original new stories to close to 27,000 subscribers by E-Mail four times per week. "Ask NAW" provides answers to unique member questions and supplies feedback on mission-critical projects using this robust desktop resource. Through media relations, NAW continues to receive broad coverage of its government-related activities. Also, through its foundation, NAW is a leading publisher of leading-edge studies and research.