The Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) announced today that it has created a new “Sponsor Level” of affiliation with the IEDA association, designed specifically for OEM Dealers, auction companies and industry specific organizations. The purpose of this new sponsor level is to acknowledge support for the organization from those companies and businesses who are not recognized as “independent dealers” according to the organizational by-laws and therefore do not qualify for IEDA membership.

“The Board of Directors of the IEDA has spent a great deal of time and consideration evaluating the benefits of recognizing support from various industry market segments. This was a decision years in the making, and I feel confident that both current and future members of this exclusive group will benefit from this strategic positioning of the IEDA in the marketplace” says IEDA President Drew VanBrunt.

Executive Director Kristen Williams elaborates on the announcement, indicating that “Sponsoring companies are simply industry related businesses showing support for independents – these sponsoring businesses will not be considered 'members' of the organization, but their support will be clearly recognized and highly valued by dealer members.”

As the IEDA is recognized as a non-profit trade association, one of the main objectives of the new sponsor level is to gain financial support from large industry organizations recognizing the value of affiliation with the IEDA network. Businesses that take advantage of this sponsor option will be offered a variety of benefits that include but are not limited to: Use of the new “IEDA Sponsor” logo, vendor expo attendance, exclusive group networking opportunities, marketing and sponsorship opportunities, social media exposure…and more.