SHOPA organization exploring strategic options
DAYTON, OHIO —After years of struggling with declining attendance at its annual trade show, the School, Home and Office Products Association (SHOPA) is exploring strategic alternatives regarding the organization’s future, according to the association’s interim president Al Arends.
“We are going through some financial gyrations and difficulties right now,” Arends said. “There are alternatives out there and we are looking at what makes the most sense short term and long term.”
In late October, Retailingtoday.com reported that SHOPA planned to file for bankruptcy and cited an anonymous source familiar with discussions of alternatives under consideration. Arends declined to provide specifics on those alternatives based on the advice of legal counsel.
SHOPA has seen its resources dwindle in recent years as changes in the retail industry have influenced how retailers and suppliers interact. The biggest impact on SHOPA was a dramatic reduction in participation at the association’s annual trade show, which served as its major source of funding.
“When I was vp of marketing at Smead, we pulled out of the show because it no longer made sense,” Arends said. “The idea of a show is passe in the [United States].”
SHOPA tried to salvage its show by teaming up three years ago with global tradeshow organizer Messe Frankfurt, sponsor of the major European office products tradeshow Paperworld, and renamed its show Paperworld USA. However, the alliance, a change of venue and different dates failed to reverse established industry trends and show participation continued to wane.
That doesn’t mean retailers and suppliers don’t have a need to interact, and SHOPA has successfully played a role in that process through the creation of its SHOPA Buyer To Seller (SBTS) events. The association has also sought to remain relevant by providing industry research.
SHOPA did its own research in early October when members who were surveyed overwhelmingly indicated that they want an association for the industry, according to Arends.
“People have told us there is a place for an association and a need for an association,” Arends said.
Similar comments were often made by former SHOPA president Steve Jacober prior to his departure in June to become executive director of the Washington Hebrew Congregation. Jacober spent 12 years at SHOPA. His position was filled on an interim basis by Arends who was a former board member and had been assisting SHOPA as a consultant.