History
The ATA was originally formed in 1953 in Wisconsin as the Archery Manufacturers and Dealers Association (AMADA), containing within its initial membership such renowned archers as Fred Bear and Bob Lee.
One of its first tasks was the standardization of bow string lengths, resulting in a measure (called "AMO length") that is currently still in use.
In the 1960s it shortened its name to the Archery Manufacturer's Association, or the Archery Manufacturer and Merchant's Organization, (AMO) and its membership (mostly consisting of manufacturers) was greatly increased in the 1970s with the innovation of the Compound bow. In 1991 the organization moved its central location to Gainesville, Florida under the presidency of Dick Lattimer. In 1997, with the debut of the AMO Archery Trade Show, the funding formerly provided by companies' donations was replaced by the profits generated from this event.
In 2003, the AMO was reorganized into the ATA and two separate but associated foundations (Arrowsport and the Bowhunting Preservation Alliance) in order to increase fund-raising and provide focus for the industry regarding the promotion, protection and growth of archery and bowhunting.
Read more about this topic: Archery Trade Association
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