History
The Awards and Recognition Association (ARA), known as the Trophy Dealers and Manufacturers Association (TDMA) until 1993, has its roots in two separate associations: the Trophy Dealers of America (TDA) and American Awards Manufacturers Association (AAMA).
The Trophy Dealers of America was incorporated on April 26, 1967 in California. The organization originally brought together 12 dealers and one supplier; each contributing $100 toward organizational costs. Membership was centered on the West coast of the United States. On March 1–3, 1974, it organized the industries’ first "trophies only” trade show in San Diego, CA. The American Awards Manufacturers Association (AAMA) was started in 1977, by a group of awards manufacturers with its membership centered in the Midwestern portion of the United States. On January 5, 1980, TDA was merged with AAMA to become the Trophy Dealers and Manufacturers Association (TDMA). The merger was the first step in establishing a national association for the awards industry with equal representation on the board for dealers and manufacturers.
Three major trade shows were held during the association’s first year: the Sixth Annual Western Conference and Exhibit in San Jose, California; and the first Eastern and Midwestern Shows in Cherry Hill, NJ, and in Chicago, Illinois. During the 1980s, a number of TDMA programs and member benefits were established including: a Buyer's Guide of supplier member products, an agreement to provide a subscription to The Engravers Journal to all members, the Dun and Bradstreet Commercial Collections service, a Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance plan and an awards program to recognize leaders in the industry. In 1983, the association’s annual winter trade show was moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. From 1982 to 1983, TDMA more than doubled its membership to encompass more than 1,250 active members and by 1988, membership grew to 3,640 businesses. In 1993, TDMA moved its headquarters to Chicago and announced its new name: the Awards and Recognition Association.
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