How QTA Differs
Copyright 2010 Quilt Trade Association
QTA is proud to be a new and different voice and advocate serving the quilt trade industry. Here is a summary of differences:
1. QTA membership is for business-to-business or business-to-consumer. QTA’s focus is helping
businesses in the quilt trade, not the consumer (quilter).
2. QTA is a non-profit trade association which is different from “for profit” membership associations
that work like a buying club where member dues allow the member buying privileges to purchase
goods and services. See below for more information about how “non profit” trade associations (like
QTA) work.
3. There are a number of well-established organizations in the quilt industry that already serve the
quilting trade in various capacities. QTA does not compete with these organizations, which
include:
American Quilters Society: AQS provides resources (magazines, trade shows, et. al.) for the
quilting consumer. QTA has no intention of providing any of these types of products or services for
the consumer.
American Quilt Retailer: AQR publishes the “American Quilt Retailer”, a bi-monthly magazine for
the independent quilt shop owner. QTA does not produce a magazine for the quilt trade or quilt
shop owner.
Consumer quilting magazines, local, regional & national quilt shows, quilt guilds(various): QTA has
no intention of providing any of these types of products and services for the consumer (quilter). All
of QTA’s member services are dedicated to helping its members (which do not include the
consumer/quilter) who are quilt trade businesses.
Quilts, Inc: Quilts, Inc produces the International Quilt Markets and International Quilt Festivals.
QTA does not produce consumer or trade shows.
For information about Quilt Trade Association’s member services and benefits, visit Member Benefits.
1. QTA membership is for business-to-business or business-to-consumer. QTA’s focus is helping
businesses in the quilt trade, not the consumer (quilter).
2. QTA is a non-profit trade association which is different from “for profit” membership associations
that work like a buying club where member dues allow the member buying privileges to purchase
goods and services. See below for more information about how “non profit” trade associations (like
QTA) work.
3. There are a number of well-established organizations in the quilt industry that already serve the
quilting trade in various capacities. QTA does not compete with these organizations, which
include:
American Quilters Society: AQS provides resources (magazines, trade shows, et. al.) for the
quilting consumer. QTA has no intention of providing any of these types of products or services for
the consumer.
American Quilt Retailer: AQR publishes the “American Quilt Retailer”, a bi-monthly magazine for
the independent quilt shop owner. QTA does not produce a magazine for the quilt trade or quilt
shop owner.
Consumer quilting magazines, local, regional & national quilt shows, quilt guilds(various): QTA has
no intention of providing any of these types of products and services for the consumer (quilter). All
of QTA’s member services are dedicated to helping its members (which do not include the
consumer/quilter) who are quilt trade businesses.
Quilts, Inc: Quilts, Inc produces the International Quilt Markets and International Quilt Festivals.
QTA does not produce consumer or trade shows.
For information about Quilt Trade Association’s member services and benefits, visit Member Benefits.
Why is QTA non-profit (rather than "for profit")?
Quilt Trade Association is a members-only organization that abides by the principles of a non-profit trade association. There are hundreds of non-profit trade associations that serve many different industries.
Although there are trade associations in some industries that are “for profit”, these “for profit” companies are typically a “buying club” where a membership fee allows the purchase of goods and services, sometimes in a discounted fashion. QTA is not a “buying club”. The “for profit” associations are substantially different from non-profit trade associations. The following provides an overview of how QTA, a non-profit organization, operates.
Volunteer leaders (QTA’s Board of Directors) are responsible for the mission and top level direction of QTA. QTA follows the classic characteristics of a true non-profit trade association; it is an organization governed by Association By-Laws (written document) that is approved by the Board of Directors. The main focus of a non-profit trade association, as defined by the non-profit trade association experts, is collaboration between its members. The focus of a "for profit" association is typically a buying club for a particular set of buyers.
There are no owners or company officers of QTA, a non-profit trade association. Therefore, there is no QTA officer, board member, employee or staff who benefits from any monetary profits of QTA. Any profit (gain) is put back into the Association’s treasury to be used to serve its members. Non-profit trade associations, including QTA, are administered by an Executive Director who acts as a partner to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director advances the goals and strategies, while taking care of the daily administrative needs unique to non-profit organizations.
Quilt Trade Association is a members-only organization that abides by the principles of a non-profit trade association. There are hundreds of non-profit trade associations that serve many different industries.
Although there are trade associations in some industries that are “for profit”, these “for profit” companies are typically a “buying club” where a membership fee allows the purchase of goods and services, sometimes in a discounted fashion. QTA is not a “buying club”. The “for profit” associations are substantially different from non-profit trade associations. The following provides an overview of how QTA, a non-profit organization, operates.
Volunteer leaders (QTA’s Board of Directors) are responsible for the mission and top level direction of QTA. QTA follows the classic characteristics of a true non-profit trade association; it is an organization governed by Association By-Laws (written document) that is approved by the Board of Directors. The main focus of a non-profit trade association, as defined by the non-profit trade association experts, is collaboration between its members. The focus of a "for profit" association is typically a buying club for a particular set of buyers.
There are no owners or company officers of QTA, a non-profit trade association. Therefore, there is no QTA officer, board member, employee or staff who benefits from any monetary profits of QTA. Any profit (gain) is put back into the Association’s treasury to be used to serve its members. Non-profit trade associations, including QTA, are administered by an Executive Director who acts as a partner to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director advances the goals and strategies, while taking care of the daily administrative needs unique to non-profit organizations.