Follow all the latest news from OFDAhttp://www.ofdanet.org/iopfda/files/ccRSSFeeds/LOGOFILENAME/000000000005/OFDAtop.jpgFollow all the latest news from OFDA AIS and CAF Contract Seating, a manufacturer of executive, task, conference, stacking and lounge seating solutions, have agreed in principle to AIS acquiring the seating company. Final details and implementation will occur over the next few months and the acquisition provides the company with a strong seating line to further increase its competitive offering. 6/22/2011 7:00:00 PMhttp://www.ofdanet.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2573&formid=400 The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) International has collaborated with NSF International, a leading ANSI-accredited developer of more than 75 American National standards, to develop Product Category Rules for the furniture industry. The National Center for Sustainability Standards (NCSS), founded by NSF, will serve as the Program Operator for developing the furniture Product Category Rules (PCR). 6/22/2011 7:00:00 PMhttp://www.iopfda.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2572&formid=400Find out how your dealership measures up with the Dealer Financial Comparison & Benchmarking Guide Survey. Prepared by Industry Insights, a third-party vendor for the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (OFDA), a non-profit independent dealer association, this financial tool will provide you with the data needed to assess your operation’s performance. Most importantly, the revised survey allows you to compare your company’s financial performance to the industry’s best players, determine your operation’s strengths and weaknesses, and set goals for improvement. Benchmarking information can also help dealers maintain strong control of their businesses – staying on top of expenses, managing cash, managing debt and setting realistic goals. Still not convinced that you should participate? Read the article below from respected industry consultant, Bill Kuhn. 5/12/2011http://www.ofdanet.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2474&formid=4002011 OFDA Dealer Strategies Conference Will Transform Your Business For Future Success SAVE $50 when you register now through May 31st to attend the OFDA’s Dealer Strategies Conference scheduled for September 25-27 in Tucson, AZ! Keynote Speaker Jaynie Smith Sunday Workshop Sessions featuring Gil Cargill, Paul Barr, Valerie Atkin and Debbie Junge Three General Session Panel Discussions Guest/Spouse Program Sponsored by The HON Company Welcome Reception Sponsored by Global—The Total Office Evening Events & Networking Opportunities Tabletop Displays 15 Breakout Sessions Including: Customer Loyalty Management Benchmarking for Higher Profits Social and Local Media Marketing Dealer Succession Trends & Experiences Best Practices in Streamlining Operations Finding, On-Boarding & Managing Top Talent Manufacturer Presidents Panel on Industry’s Future ...and much more! Visit www.ofdanet.org/conference for more information and to register today! 5/12/2011http://ofdanet.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2473&formid=400AIS has completed its fiscal year 2011, ending with over $93 Million in sales volume, a 42% growth over the previous year. Bottom line profits increased 68%. 5/11/2011http://www.ofdanet.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2465&formid=400 Ghent Manufacturing, Inc. has changed its corporate name to GMi Companies. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Leasure, the new GMi Companies name more suitably positions the organization for future growth and helps trade and local communities better distinguish the corporation relative to its primary product brands, namely Ghent, Waddell, VividBoard and WoodWare. Previously, the term “Ghent” appeared in corporate communications, as well as product sales and marketing materials in support of its Ghent brand of visual communication products. 5/11/2011 7:00:00 AMhttp://www.ofdanet.org/index.asp?bid=2172&issuepage=2458&formid=400 OFDA has updated it's 2011 Dealer Strategies Conference Agenda with a number of new speakers and classes highlighting the theme Transforming your Business for Future Success. 4/8/2011http://www.ofdanet.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2398&formid=400The annual OFDA Dealer Manufacturer Satisfaction Index (DMSI) survey is your opportunity to evaluate the products, policies, service and support of your manufacturer business partners. The purpose of the survey is to improve dealer-manufacturer relations by both identifying topics of dealer concern and recognizing best of class performance. It’s easy to participate and takes less than five minutes. You may confidentially evaluate up to four of your primary suppliers in six key categories: training, product lines, service and support, sales and marketing, management, and technology. For more information, visit OFDA's DMSI webpage or complete the survey today! Deadline for Participation is April 15th. 4/8/2011http://www.iopfda.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2381&formid=400OFDA will hold its 2011 Dealer Strategies Conference in Tucson, AZ on September 25-27, but is already considering locations for its 2012 meeting and we need your input. Click here to take a quick 1-2 minute survey that will assist OFDA in determining the location for the 2012 event. Give us your thoughts today and be a part of the industry event for office furniture dealers and their service providers. Click here to take the survey. 3/30/2011http://www.iopfda.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2378&formid=400Grow Revenues and Profits from Business Process Improvement Presented by Debbie Junge, Matt Sveen, Gregory Sheridan, Kristina VanDierendonck This interactive session brings together an experienced panel of dealers and outsourcing partners to share concrete strategies for leveraging third party services. Topics will include how to increase profits, manage capacity, and augment expertise, while maintaining the client experience and minimizing risk. The agenda will address how to get started and or advance these viable service providers into multiple areas of your business. Click here to download this 2010 Dealer Strategies Conference Podcast. 5/11/2011http://www.ofdanet.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2375&formid=400OFDA is pleased to announce that it will host a special webinar on April 21, 2011 at 2:00 PM EDT to help all office furniture dealers learn how to most efficiently and easily participate in its annual Dealer Financial Comparison (DFC) survey. In response to dealer requests, OFDA has partnered with Industry Insights, the independent survey company that collects, analyzes and keeps confidential the DFC, to present a one-hour webinar on how to complete the survey the first time and make it even easier to complete in future years. Industry Insights will also answer dealers’ questions at the conclusion of the webinar. Completed online or via download, the annual survey allows dealers like you to compare their company’s financial performance to the industry’s best players, and determine operational strengths and weaknesses and set goals for improvement. The survey is open to all office furniture dealers. For more information, select read more. 4/8/2011http://www.iopfda.org/index.asp?bid=4327&issuepage=2367&formid=400