The future of the RLA is brighter today than in the past few years. Membership has grown with more members from around the world (see the 3 pages in this issue (pp. 45-47), about to become 4 pages) because the RLA is focused on doing more for the member companies. The RLA team is not just about the talk but we listen, and we do. We have added different retail channels, and additional product verticals, and we continue to talk with more of them. The RLA has had two successful Seminar days (Nashville and Dallas) recently in conjunction with our growing Committees, both including two facility tours because of support by RLA Board members Dell and FedEx.

Our goal continues to be to grow the membership. Members of the RLA Team have participated and spoken at more than a dozen supply chain and related industry events this year to spread the word about reverse logistics. As the only association for the reverse logistics industry, RLA should not be compared to “for-profit” conference producers as we do not try to sell shows – we try to get members in the association and deliver a higher level of network opportunities for everyone. The RLA membership benefits include vouchers for your company to attend our events, to bring your colleagues and clients, and to have a valuable experience without advertising from the stage by competitors.

The RLA team is listening and many of you are suggesting other programs we should incorporate. The RLA Advisory Board has recently approved a “warm introduction” program for member-to-member contacts through the RLA business team. RLA member companies will respond to other RLA member’s request to connect because everyone is focused on reducing returns, finding more efficient reverse logistics practices, and improving asset recovery of those products.

Call RLA with any ideas for the membership. We are listening.

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Tony Sciarrotta
Best regards, Tony Sciarrotta tony@rla.org