Member Benefits

Advocacy

Your association has played an important role for Montana businesses by providing a full-time registered lobbyist who advocates for you by giving expert testimony and lobbying the Montana Legislature on issues that are important to the your industry.  We help educate your legislators on various issues and how proposed legislation will affect the business environment.  We also keep our members updated on legislative bills and activities, as well as how important it is for businesses to have a voice in the legislative process as bills progress through hearings, committees, and onto the floor of the Senate and House. We research issues that may affect your business to determine whether it will be a benefit to you, or not. 

Several times during the session we provide updates to keep you current on the issues of the day and also collaborate with coalitions and groups whose philosophy and goals resonate with yours to best decide how to deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Each session we host a Lobby Day for our members to come to Helena to meet and greet the legislators and introduce you to the legislative process.  We are looking forward to the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session.

What can you as a member do to help your association lobbyist?

  • Inform us about current policies or problems affecting your community and business environment.
  • Evaluate your goals and examine whether advocacy could play a larger role in your organization.
  • Educate yourself on the current issues and provide your lobbyist with your opinion on those issues.

In addition to Montana Legislative advocacy, association members are also represented at the national level by several organizations, including:

 

Dual Membership

All independently owned Retailers, Tire Dealers and Equipment Dealers who become association members are automatically enrolled in the dual membership program offered by the National Retail Federation.  Your NRF membership is company-wide which means every employee can have access to NRA member benefits that include:

  • Networking
  • Newsletters
  • Research and Resources
  • Webinars
  • Customized NRF experience

Visit www.nrf.com for more information and to create your own MyNRF  account. 

Click here for 5 Reasons to Sign Up for a MyNRF account.

Member Services

In addition to advocacy, your association membership also provides other benefits that can save your business significant sums of money. 

Please call the vendor representative for more information.

Payment Processing - Heartland Payment Systems

Heartland delivers fast, secure omnichannel payment processing and business solutions to more than 400,000 business locations nationwide. Product offerings include payments, payroll, point of sale, customer engagement and lending.

Fair, Upfront Pricing - Heartland’s payment processing solutions are designed to help businesses succeed by reducing costs at the front end, and eliminating unexpected costs going forward. Our pricing model is predicated on true Interchange Plus pricing. All cost savings from bankcard interchanges and fees assessed by card brands are passed directly to business owners.

Heartland pioneered the Merchant Bill of Rights, a public advocacy initiative to educate merchants about fair payment processing practices. Heartland Payment Systems is a Global Payments company (NYSE: GPN). heartland.us.  To learn more, visit the HPS website here.  For a free rate comparison, click here.

Visit www.heartland.us for more information or call Randy Holbrook at 406-670-4598 .

Advocacy | Tailored Insurance Solutions | Peace of Mind | Workers Compensation | Property & Casualty Insurance

The Montana Retail Association has endorsed HUB International Mountain States since 1995. Since then, HUB has worked with many of the association’s members, creating customized insurance programs.  HUB is recognized as one of the largest property casualty brokerages in the world.  HUB can provide specialized risk management services, and top-notch customer service. 

  • Workers Compensation        
  • Property and Casualty Insurance
  • Employee Benefits
  • Personal Insurance

For more information visit https://www.hubinternational.com/products/business-insurance/

For all your insurance needs, give HUB a call.

Drew LeVeaux, CIC
Acco-unt Executive
406-855-3848
[email protected]

When you contact the HUB office.  Be sure to identify yourself as an association member.

Access to MT ORCA

 

 

The Montana Retail Association (MRA) formed MT ORCA in an effort to combat the rising problem of retail theft.  MT ORCA started in Billings with a strong partnership between law enforcement and loss control professionals from Montana Retail Association members.  In addition to MRA member loss prevention representatives, MT ORCA enlists the support of the County Attorney’s office, the Police Department, City Attorney’s office and the County Sheriff’s Department within the ORCA organized communities.  Since forming in Billings, MT ORCA has established ORCA groups in Bozeman and Missoula and has plans to eventually grow into four additional major markets.   The expectation is that MT ORCA groups will cover the entire state of Montana.  MT ORCA meets bi-monthly to share information.  The organization uses a secure web site to help build prosecutable cases against thieves. 

Programs for Specific Industries 

Business Insurance Products 

Federated Insurance offers a variety of coverages targeted for specific industries.  Our Tire Dealers and Equipment Dealers are able to take advantage of Federated products.

Federated Insurance Member Benefit Website 

Jerry Leemkuil  
(507) 455-5507
[email protected]

Jason Kerr
(507)455-8268
[email protected]

Or, Call Federated at (800) 533-0472 and ask for the regional representative for the Montana association group to which you belong.

PHARMACY DISCOUNT CARD

The NRA Pharmacy Discount Card program is a new prescription savings solution for members of the National Restaurant Association and its state restaurant association partners, including the MTRA. It is completely FREE and can help NRA/MTRA members and their employees save up to 75%(with an average savings of 40%) on all FDA-approved prescription medications.  To get your discount on prescription drugs, click on this link:  hospitalityrxcard.com 

Why join your State Trade Association?

  • One of the most important benefits of association membership is networking with other professionals and entrepreneurs in your field.
  • One of the most important benefits of association membership is networking with other professionals and entrepreneurs in your field.
  • Access to membership directories that may help increase your exposure to new markets and potential clients.
  • Privileged access or discounts to industry-related conferences, trade shows and other events in your area.
  • Potential cost savings. Some vendors grant association members access to special rates on products and services.
  • To reap the benefits, you must also make an investment of time and effort in association activities and become involved.
  • There are more than 7,800 associations, professional societies, and labor unions.
  • Most associations are national, but some also have local and state chapters.                                                                         Watch our two minute impact video here!