'The more people that can contact Congress and provide them with facts, the better'

HALIFAX, Va. - NAIMES wants to add 50 new members to its roster this fall.

So, in August the association launched a membership drive. The motivation behind the drive: increasing the grassroots efforts that NAIMES--which formed in 2007--has built its name on. Currently, it boasts 240 members.

"Our goal all along was to have at least 435 members because we want one in every congressional district," said Wayne Stanfield, president and CEO of NAIMES. "When we say, 'It's time to contact Congress about something,' we'll have someone contacting all of them."

Member benefits include proactive lobbying efforts and keeping up-to-date with industry issues, he said. The association has "a good ear to the rails," seeking out news and information for members.

"We're trying to make sure that small independent suppliers in their hometown communities are able to stay in business and stay in the game despite all the things going on with competitive bidding and other factors," said Stanfield.

NAIMES plans to contact, through emails and a mailing campaign, more than 400 providers the organization has previously been in contact with. Stanfield will also promote membership at the organization's Medtrade booth.

"We're actively recruiting everybody, because the more people that can contact Congress and provide them with facts, the better," said Stanfield.