One of the biggest compliments any business can receive is to get a referral. It says I trust you, I trust the quality of your work and am confident enough with that relationship that I will attach my name to your business and make the referral. That is not a small thing and not something that just happens on its own. Most businesses have built relationships in their local communities, with local vendors, local contractors and local businesses. These are critical connections fostered over time that can determine the success or failure of your business. As a hauler, recycler or landfill, local connections can make or break your operation, but those are not necessarily the same relationships that will help you grow as a business. Growth requires some sort of new stimulus; new ideas, new connections, new policy, new end markets, new equipment, or new investment. This does not necessarily happen at the local level. Our vendor and manufacturing members know this better than anyone. 

So if what they say is true and it is not what you know, but who you know, how do you foster those relationships, how do you expose yourself to be able to grow and improve your business? This is the power of association. Being connected and joined with people in the same industry, with similar values, and similar goals. People who value relationships because they know the power of them. The CDRA has been doing this for over 30 years and we have members who have been with us for just as long. They stay because they know the value. They invest in making relationships, connecting with people and it grows their business. They get referral calls from trusted customers who know that they are putting people in good hands. They are involved in committee meetings and conferences and hear when a member has a problem or issue they can help solve. The connection allows them to be able to pick up the phone, reach out to them by name and provide everyone the opportunity for growth. 

The CDRA is the tie that binds. We bring recyclers, manufacturers, contractors, haulers, policy makers, vendors, consultants, and industry associations together to help each other. We do this every single day, and we do it really well. We do it by ensuring we are available by phone or email. Members can simply reach out and we are there, providing answers and helping them find solutions. We make introductions. Sometimes this is between members, sometimes it is connecting an outside business, government agency or even the general public. The CDRA brings members together throughout the year in our committee meetings to share industry knowledge, collaborate on projects and provide the opportunity for members to share experiences and knowledge. We highlight our members and their work when we represent our industry and association at conferences and public forums. We advocate and educate at every level we can, from the EPA to local government. We take the time to visit members and highlight their businesses publicly. However, our greatest effort and success has come through the outstanding opportunity we create for our industry at the CDRA annual conference. At our conference every sector of our industry is represented in an environment that fosters the making of new relationships, the ability to rekindle the old, and most of all learn and grow together. We do all of the work, our members, from all over the globe simply enjoy and feast on the opportunity. 

The best and most successful businesses create solutions; make the most of your CDRA membership, lean into the opportunity and unlock the power of association. Getting connected is easy. You or someone on your team can email me at ajohnson@cdrecycling.org or call 434-981-7258 for one on one assistance. To join a committee, you can simply click this link https://cdrecycling.org/committees/ and to register for our annual conference in January you need only click here https://www.cdraconference.com/ and complete the information.