Forum Announcement

As an APICS member, you’re connected to the leading source of the body of knowledge in operations management. For more than 50 years, APICS has kept members up-to-date on industry best practices, new technologies, and techniques. With exclusive access to members-only resources, networking, and cost savings on educational materials, you can improve your career and competitive advantage.

Staying at the forefront of the profession in a competitive global environment requires ongoing dedication, improvement, and investment. In January, the APICS Board of Directors approved a new dues structure that enables APICS to significantly invest in membership benefits and support.

For a majority of members, APICS membership is experienced locally, through their chapter, international associate, or education provider. Based on feedback from chapter leaders and members, APICS is providing greater support to partners to enhance the delivery of educational programs and member benefits and services locally. In addition, APICS will continue to develop new and enhanced association-level member programs and services.

The new dues structure is a part of an overall strategic priority to enhance the value of membership in the following ways:

The dues increase will strengthen APICS chapters to better meet member needs through

Member Category	Current Amount	2008 April Association Amount	Chapter Amount* Effective April 2008	Total Amount (includes chapter)
Professional	$110	$150	$50	$200
Retired**	$55	$75	25	$100
Intl Members-at-Large	$130	$200	NA	$200
Academic**	$25	$25	$50	$25
Student	$25	$25	NA	$25
International Associates	$95	$95	NA	$95

* Amount collected by APICS on behalf of chapters. Chapter dues may be more or less as set by chapter.

**Retired and academic membership dues may be less if chapter portion is reduced or waived.

APICS will offer enterprise members the opportunity to add additional members based on a sliding scale (illustration below). The current group membership structure will be phased out gradually and current group members will transition to enterprise members as memberships come up for renewal.

With the new dues structure, members will be billed $50 for the chapter portion, in most cases. Chapters may choose to charge less or more. The chapter may use additional revenue to support member programming.

In addition, programs and services at the corporate level have been or will be enhanced to emphasize relevancy, value, and professional development.

Local Chapters
APICS chapters offer localized services, which may include educational programs, certification review courses, career placement opportunities, plant tours, and networking. With greater resources from the new dues structure, chapters will have the opportunity to reinvest in member services. Use the Chapter Locator to locate a chapter near you.

APICS is pleased to add value to membership with these new and enhanced programs and services for members.

APICS is revitalizing our annual conference and elevating the experience with more plant tours, integrated learning paths and key industry presenters. Also, new this year, APICS members can ensure they have today’s marketable skills with a visit to the new APICS Career Fair. Members save 10 percent off registration. Learn more at www.apicsconference.org.

The APICS Live Learning Center gives APICS members and conference attendees unlimited, complimentary access to presenter manuscripts and PowerPoint presentations from the educational sessions. An audio file compilation of APICS 2007 educational sessions is available for purchase. Members and conference attendees can visit www.apicsconference.org or contact an APICS Customer Support associate at (800) 444-2742 or (703) 354-8851 or service@apics.org.

APICS Webinars provide convenient, online educational opportunities for members. More topics and expanded offerings are available. APICS also presents webinars for volunteers and chapter leaders. A number of APICS Webinars are available on demand at member savings and free of charge at www.apics.org/webinars.

Updated! APICS Career Center
The APICS Career Center is the online resource for operations management resources. Now the Career Center will host career development Webinars led by recognized career development experts offering practical tips on resume writing, career transition, and professional development. Only members post their résumés for review by potential employers and subscribe to job alerts service. Members also receive discounts on job posting packages. Members have full access to the online APICS Career Center at www.apicscareercenter.org.

Updated! APICS Courseware
APICS is expanding its APICS-developed course offerings including

New! APICS/SAP Benchmarking Study
The APICS/SAP Benchmarking Study enables member companies to compare productivity through joint study. Complete the study online at www.apics.org.

Updated! APICS Webinars
APICS will provide enhanced APICS Webinars, featuring more APICS Webinars-on-Demand and expanded offerings on current, relevant topics.

New! AMA Business and Management Training
APICS members can enhance their competitive edge with business and management training through the American Management Association, the leading force in business and management education. APICS members receive up to 30 percent off training along with news and Web site access. Visit www.apics.org/benefits.

New! APICS and IBF Sales and Operations Planning Conference
APICS and IBF will cohost the Sales and Operations Planning Conference, located at the Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, on June 19-20, 2008. The comprehensive sales and operations planning conference, “Best of the Best,” will offer 10 different sessions for professionals on S&OP topics. Register at www.apics.org.

Enhanced! APICS Magazine
APICS magazine provides practical, industry-leading information with articles written by award-winning journalists. APICS magazine will introduce a new mix of digital and print content including:

APICS magazine features innovative ideas and real-world strategies for inventory, materials, production, and supply chain management; planning and scheduling; purchasing; logistics; warehousing; and e-business solutions for professionals at every level of an organization. Members receive print copies in the mail, and can also read APICS magazine online at www.apics.org/resources/magazine.

Updated! APICS Dictionary, 12th edition
APICS members receive a complimentary copy of the APICS Dictionary, the standard for terms and definitions in the inventory and supply chain management field. The 12th edition, published October 2007, contains more than 4,000 essential terms. Members can request their copy at www.apics.org/freedictionary.

Now with 500 new terms, this CD-ROM includes more than 4,000 terms from the APICS Dictionary and illustrates more than 2,500 of them. The terms are categorized and cross-referenced for easy access. To order, visit the APICS Bookstore at www.apics.org.

Back by Popular Demand! P&IM Journal
The Production and Inventory Management Journal publishes original research that has a significant affect on operations management. Anticipate more information on the journal in 2008.

New! Aberdeen Research
APICS members have full access to the Aberdeen Research Archive that contains more than 5,000 documents focused on the global value chain (a $995 value). Research channels include current, relevant information on supply chain, manufacturing, information technology, finance, retail, human resources, and product research and development. Visit www. apics.org/benefits.

APICS continues to offer these indispensable professional development resources.

APICS Certification
APICS members pursuing certification enjoy savings averaging 25 percent on certification preparation classes, review materials, and testing fees. Members belonging to chapters can more effectively work through the certification process by taking chapter review courses and participating in study groups.

APICS Learning Communities are forums where members can gather regularly to share ideas, develop best practices, and find solutions to everyday challenges in operations management. Visit APICS Learning Communities at www.apics.org/communities.

APICS Web Site
APICS members can access exclusive, members-only content on the APICS Web site. Members can use the site to research pressing issues using the searchable Publications Database, stay abreast of industry terms and definitions using the online APICS Dictionary, obtain white papers, free APICS Webinars On-Demand on operations management topics, and other valuable industry information.

8. How does the new dues structure compare to other professional associations?

In comparison with similar associations, the proposed dues structure for APICS membership is priced competitively. As the market leader and premier provider of the body of knowledge in operations management, APICS membership, education, and resources hold great value to individuals who aspire to be at the top of their field and organizations who seek to maintain a competitive advantage.

APICS is committed to ongoing development of membership programs and services and welcomes suggestions for ways to enhance member value.