Networking, information sharing and volume buying discounts are noted by many association members as the top reasons for belonging to their
respective groups.

Recently, the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association asked members what they wanted from, and how they use a trade association. As reported in the association's magazine, the top two responses by far were information and networking opportunities.

Typical answers were, "It's all about relationship building and new opportunities to meet people and earn their business," and "Grab some insight from others."

Landscape Online found the same to be true when our readers were asked about the greatest value of state associations. Scott Cohen, the owner of The Green Scene in Chatsworth, Calif., placed "share education and business modeling" along with "save costs by volume buying" as the top values he gets from belonging to the United Aqua Group, adding, "I enjoy the networking in this group of talented builders."

Leslie Nistico, the owner of Green Concepts, LLC in Cody, Wyo., says, "Associations give us the opportunity to network and learn from others with more, or different knowledge and experience. Proficiency in our trade increases our business profits."

She too noted the, "direct benefits of group purchasing power for insurance, equipment etc."

Andrew Coleman of McKay Landscape Lighting Inc. in Omaha Neb., ranked the top three values, in order, as local networking, job referrals, regional/national networking. And like Cohen and Nistico, he appreciates the association-provided financial benefits, such as group insurance and vendor discounts, which he rated fourth.