Membership

Background
SIA was formed in 1968 and became a non-profit limited company in 1982. It is an association of wholesalers of snow equipment and clothing and its members are made up of manufacturers, importers and service providers to the Snowsports industry.

The main objectives of the Association are the promotion of Snowsports in all forms, representation of its members and provision for their needs in the industry.

SIA represents its members to Government departments as required. Examples are: the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce – defining ski wear as opposed to street wear, in the case of ski pants for correct tariff classification, commercial marking of ski boots, etc. SIA successfully negotiated, for example, with the Textile Clothing and Footwear Development Authority to correctly classify snowboard boots.

SIA is committed to the organisation and growth of the Snowsports industry, working to promote friendly trade and social relations among members and within the industry at large. The SIA Board normally meets every other month and members are encouraged to attend and contribute. Minutes of each meeting are available to members to keep them abreast of Association business.

SIA has supported Australian Snowsports by assisting Olympic, World Cup and Disabled teams and participants. It has also contributed funds to other bodies to aid with promotion of various Snowsports activities, has sponsored the annual Australian Snowsports Awards and also supports Snow Safe.

SIA organised the first Australian Snowsports Whole of Industry Conference in 2004 and again, jointly with the Australian Ski Areas Association (ASSA), in every year between 2005 and 2010.

Benefits

• Members’ rates for space at the annual SIA Snow Sports Trade Show
• The option to exhibit at the annual SIA Ski & Snowboard On-Snow Tests. Only SIA members are permitted to exhibit at the SIA On-Snow Tests provided they are also exhibiting at the upcoming Trade Show.
• Free listing on the SIA Website
• Support for projects that are judged to be in the interests of SIA members

The 2022 Snow Sports Trade Show is scheduled to take place in Canberra October 10th-13th

The 2022 Ski & Snowboard On-Snow Tests details TBA

Membership Criteria

• Fulfil the criteria for exhibiting at the Trade Show
• Be an Australian business enterprise, or
• In the case of a foreign-owned company, be established as a Proprietary Limited Company in Australia
• Have been trading in the Snowsports industry for at least 12 months
• Have company banking in Australia
• Be proposed and seconded by two different existing SIA wholesale members

Fees
There is a one-off Joining Fee of $1100 (inc GST) to join the Association and an annual Membership Fee which is currently $500 (inc GST). Prospective members are required to complete the attached Membership Application in full, including signatures of qualified referees.

Applicants agree to be bound by the Constitution of the Company (available on request) and the terms of the Membership Code (below) and agree to abide by both during their Membership. Applicants also guarantee the accuracy of the information provided in their applications. A Company Search is carried out prior to Board consideration of membership applications.

Membership Code

1. Applicants for membership of the Ski Industries Association of Australia Limited (‘the Association’) agree to be bound by this code as a condition of admission to membership and continuation of membership.
2. ‘Wholesalers’ where used in the Constitution of the Association shall be persons who carry on their business generally selling such goods, equipment and clothing related to Snowsports in Australia to retail or rental outlets or bodies such as ski schools, lift operating companies, ski instructional groups, area management committees, ski pools, Government or semi-Government bodies associated with the Snowsports industry, or other similar large purchasing groups purchasing in wholesale quantities.
3. Members of the Association shall:
   • a. promote products of good quality and high technical standard
   • b. recognise that every dealer is an important partner in the distribution cycle of Snowsports goods, equipment and clothing
   • c. make a living reality in their business of the motto ‘if we sell it, we service it’, in order to maintain and strengthen a reputation amongst consumers for Association members for quality of material and workmanship of products and service back-up
   • d. carry on their business with integrity and honour
   • e. submit data where relevant to the SIA Hardware Surveys
4. Recognising the role of the Association within the industry, members shall assist the Association in its endeavours to:
   • a. establish and promote means of communication and distribution of information to retailers, rental outlets and other buyers
   • b. liaise with Government and semi-Government departments and authorities concerning tariff and trade matters and put submissions relating to matters of concern to the industry to such departments and authorities
   • c. promote friendly trade and social relations in the Snowsports industry amongst members of the Association
   • d. promote fair and open competition – being in the best interests of the Snowsports industry – and create recognition that the best way to meet challenge is through constant innovation and improvement of products and services
5. In connection with any Trade Show conducted on behalf of or by the Association and without limiting or restricting the powers and responsibilities of the organising committee of any such Show, members shall specifically agree as follows:
   • a. No member shall permit a manufacturer, importer or wholesaler who is not a member of the Association to participate in its stand or exhibition at any such show
   • b. No member may sell or take orders for any goods not included in the exhibiting member’s price list
   • c. Any orders taken and invoices issued must be taken and issued on the members standard order or invoice form and accounts in connection therewith are carried by the member
   • d. All directives given by the Management Committee of the Trade Show, or its designated representative, must be acted upon by all members
6. Any member being an Incorporated Body, Registered Proprietors or Partners shall notify the Association in writing in the event of any proposed change of shareholding, directors and/or management, since membership of the Association is not to be considered as an assignable or saleable asset.
7. The SIA Board shall consider breaches of the Constitution of the Association and Membership Code of the Association only if submitted in writing.
8. Failure by any member to comply with the terms if this Code shall constitute conduct unbecoming of a member or prejudicial to the interests of the Association for the purposes of Clause 3 of the Constitution of the Ski Industries Association of Australia Limited.