Membership benefits
Succeeding in the field of
laser displays requires an unusual mix of artistic talent, technical
acumen and business savvy. ILDA's publications, awards programs,
conferences and committee activities are designed to help Members become
more successful.
One of ILDA's greatest
benefits is one that doesn't fall under any particular category: it's
the ability to meet your peers and discuss issues as colleagues, rather
than competitors. ILDA's annual conference, its committees and its
information networks open the door to countless opportunities to forge
partnerships, explore new options and network with the many talented
people who comprise the laser display industry.
All Members are publicly listed at ILDA's website and any printed membership roster under their appropriate category of Corporate, Affilate, Nonprofit, Individual or Student. The alphabetical listings include company and contact name, mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, and a 40-word description.
In addition, there are geographical listings of Corporate Members in the producers directory, and Affiliate Members in the equipment & services directory. A Corporate Member who also sells equipment and/or services can opt to be in the equipment & services directory by paying a nominal additional listing fee (currently USD$50).
Any Corporate or
Affiliate branch offices which maintain local staff, facilities and
equipment (e.g., not just sales reps) can have a cross-reference back
to the main office listing. For more information, see our
policy on branch office listings.
FULL ACCESS TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Members have complete access to all seminars and workshops at the annual ILDA Conference. This includes the Lase-Off (an open exhibition of laser artwork), the Advanced Technology Workshop, Industry Trade Show, the Awards Banquet and other events.
Members: Please note that Conference registration is extra -- it is not included in the membership fee. What your membership does give you is 1) access to all programs -- some of which are not available to the general public, and 2) reduced registration rates compared to the general public's rates.
ILDA
Members are laser experts who have joined the Association in order to
improve their business and the entire laser industry. You can
let clients know that you are a professional by using the ILDA Member
logo on your website, brochures, letterhead and other marketing
materials.
ILDA Members are also bound by the Code of Ethics. The Code and ILDA's enforcement help reassure customers and clients that they will be treated fairly and professionally.
Members: Follow the highlighted links for more information on proper use of the logo and to download copies of the logo.
The ILDA Awards
for artistic achievement and new technology are open only to
Members. Competing in the Awards allows Members to measure their skills
against world standards. The "award-winning" companies often use this
fact in advertising and marketing. Winning an ILDA Award quickly
communicates that the company has indeed been recognized by its peers as
having created world-class displays and technology.
RECEIVE THE ILDA-ONLY MAILING LIST
ILDA Members will be on the "ILDA List" to receive e-mail from ILDA's office and from other members. One benefit is that ILDA Members are the only ones to know about inquiries passed on from people who write to ILDA, looking for laser show companies and equipment. If you do one laser show, or sell one piece of equipment based on an inquiry, that could pay for your entire ILDA membership for the year!
The ILDA List is also a forum for exchanging ideas and seeking solutions to laser-related problems. When you need a user manual or obscure part the day before a show, the ILDA List can be a lifesaver.
To find out more about
the ILDA mailing list, click here.
RECEIVE INQUIRIES FROM POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Requests received by ILDA
are passed on to Members via our private e-mail list. This
ILDA
Inquiries & Referral Service happens many times a month. Perhaps there
will be an inquiry for a show in your service area, or for equipment
that you manufacture or distribute. If just one sale a year comes out of
you answering these inquiries, you have paid for your ILDA membership
right there!
PRESS RELEASES
Members can submit their news, photos and success stories for ILDA's
press
releases webpage.
This is a way to help spread your marketing efforts. It also helps with search engines, since having a link at ILDA is a factor than can improve ranking.
ILDA Members can take
advantage of
discounted rates on equipment and services.
Click here for more details.
INSURANCE FOR LASER, LIGHTING AND ENTERTAINMENT
ILDA Members
have access to the insurance expertise of the Entertainment Services and Technology
Association (ESTA). Members interested in obtaining insurance
quotes from someone familiar with the laser, lighting and entertainment
industries should consult the
Members
Only section of this website.
ILDA Members create
technology standards that stimulate display industry growth by reducing
the complexity of show production. Members can
download copies of all current Standards
for free. There is a small fee for non-members to purchase copies of the
Standards.
In addition to the Technology Committee,
there are other ILDA committees working in various areas. These include
Safety, Awards, and Professional Status. By volunteering for these, you
get to work with other active leaders, to help shape ILDA and the laser
display industry.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
The ILDA Code of Ethics requires members to treat clients, and each other, in a fair and professional manner. This consumer protection helps reassure customers that they will be treated fairly by ILDA Members. This gives clients a reason to choose ILDA Members over other laser companies.
In the event of a dispute, the Ethics
Committee can act to reach a fair settlement. ILDA does take ethics seriously;
members have been suspended or dropped as a result of Ethics Committee
findings. While ILDA hopes that clients and Members don't have to take
advantage of this benefit, it is nice to know that ILDA Members are held
to a higher standard.
PROVIDE INPUT TO REGULATORY
AGENCIES
ILDA Members have been instrumental in helping establish/modify procedures and standards of national and international governmental agencies. For example, ILDA was instrumental in developing new regulations for outdoor laser light shows after incidents in the mid-1990s. These procedures, originally developed for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, have gone on to be adopted by the E.U., Canada, U.K. and other countries.
Having an entire industry association stand behind a proposal is a
definite benefit. Sometimes the voices of single companies are not heard
as well by regulators.
You may have an issue of special concern. One of the great things about ILDA is that it allows you to tackle this issue with your peers, and to get results with an industry-wide impact. In this respect, ILDA can be a "self-help" association. You get out of it, what you put into it.
- To give an example, in the early years
of computer laser graphics, different companies had different names
for the same feature. A single image was called a "frame" at some
firms, and a "cel" at others. One ILDA Member working with graphics
felt there should be an industry-wide standard for the various terms.
His proposal for a "Terminology Standardization Committee" was
approved by the Board.
Over the next year, he and a few like-minded ILDA Members worked to draw up the official "ILDA Laser Glossary". The Glossary defined about 50 key terms and the sometimes subtle distinctions between them.
The resulting direct benefit for the member was less work when writing manuals, tutorials, ads, etc. A larger, more indirect benefit was that ILDA Members came to speak the same language and thus be more unified as an industry.
There have been a number of other instances where ILDA Members saw a need, and helped develop a solution under ILDA's banner. If you see areas where ILDA sponsorship can provide a solution, figure out how best to help. Perhaps it is in an existing committee, or creating a new committee, or tackling the problem in another way. Contact the Executive Director and/or the Board, and find out how ILDA can help you reach your goal.
