American Kitefliers Association

We include a link to the AKA site on all of our header cards and hang tags. We have links to AKA on our three web pages. We offer a 10% discount if you join at our check-out page. And we send magazines to new customers.

AWESOME!!!! Gomberg!!!!!
That kind of crow I don't mind eating. I have seen the links and just checked the tags too. Sadly, I haven't experienced that type of proactive approach from other merchants...

NemisusDM wrote:

I have purchased from many kite stores and can't say that I ever received an AKA flyer or an application with my kite purchase. 

Thanks Darwin,
At yesterday's Board Meeting the Promotions & Membership Committee succeeded in a Motion to be able to offer each AKA Merchant-Member a Display Rack which can hold a front-page of "KITING" teaser along with "Join AKA" application forms.
Step 1 - achieved!  Now to sort the logistics of distribution and ensuring each Merchant-Member receives regular contact and updated supplies. 
One small step for man...etc.

FWIW, over 20 years ago, it was a POS display in a kite shop that got me to join the AKA.

If the practise is being revived, we may see some improvement in new members.

Now, what can be done about member retention?

Good question Pete... It has us baffled too as a Committee.

Plenty of valid reasons for staying as AKA Members, but in these times of uncertainty, also valid excuses for apportioning hard-earned dollars elsewhere. 

Fortunately for Kevin & myself here, we don't smoke, don't drink, prefer home-cooked food and only have 2 grandchildren (3rd on the way)... It's easy to see how we spend our money on kites & kiting activities!

?Would you care to join our Committee (currently averaging 3+) or alternatively, offer thoughts, feedback, suggestions in private email region13-at- aka.kite.org so that our Committee can formulate plans to put in front of the whole Board?

I don't think it is money that is reducing the membership. Most members, and potential members, FREQUENTLY spend amounts like $40 on kites, or for travel to where kites are flown. $40 will allow you to drive 80 miles (conservatively) to fly your kites, or let you buy 1/5 of a fancy stunt kite.

My closest flying field is $20 away (round trip). My closest major festival is $170 away. A Rev kite is several hundred dollars. $40 is not why membership is declining.

The AKA can present itself best by showing off its value to kite flyers. Full-color, specialized, magazines are about $5 each. What does a potential member or resubscriber get for the other $20? I know what I think I get; what will you tell a stranger?

BTW, I used to smoke, still drink and eat in restaurants, and have about 10 (depends on who you count) grandkids. Somehow, I still find ways to spend money on kites (and keep up my AKA membership).

Thanks for the man-on-the-ground insight.  I'm the same - the annual cost of membership is less than a tank of fuel - but not being THERE to see these influences makes planning tricky.

As a Committee, we're hoping to revamp the current "10 Reasons for being a Member of the AKA" flier.  These can then go to Merchant Member stores along with the new Display Racks.  We're hopeful that promotional materials with a modern-day feel can also be used by AKA Regional Directors & Directors-At-Large as tools for presenting themselves & what they stand for at kite festivals in their areas.  A bit like a "letter-box drop" except without the letter-box!

Would love to hear from individual members - using their own words as quotable testimonials - what AKA means to them...  Anyone?  (This coming from a foreigner, too!) ;-)

One thing: this discussion should perhaps be moved to a general forum section. Right now it is in the Region 13 section where people from the US may not check regularly.

I happen to read almost every post on the AKA forum, but then, I'm retired, and retirees are well-known to have all the time in the world. (NOT)

True... as it did start out with one of my Region making a comment.  Now to find out HOW and WHERE to best pitch it!  (Some of us on the Board are still wearing "L" plates!