CFA Establishes Preferred Supplier Program
Membership networks generally have a variety of participation and recognition levels based on the interests of individuals and organizations and the services and resources provided. Tiered membership levels, labeled as “sustaining” or given common titles (i.e., gold, silver, diamond, and platinum) typically follow a pay-to-be-recognized system. Instead, during the fiscal year 2023–24, CFA’s Board of Directors, the Membership Task Force, and the National Associates’ Council completed the work to launch the newly branded CFA Preferred Supplier Program follows an engagement model. This program, open to any organization holding a National Associate or Local Supplier membership, tracks the contributions of organizations to the Association and accumulates a score value based on those contributions, rather than on how much money they pay.
“Once an organization achieves a minimum threshold point value, they receive an invitation to upgrade their membership and brand visibility through the Association,” said CFA’s executive director, James Baty. “This is an excellent example of multiple leadership entities identifying the intersection of value and contribution to drive the Association into the future while recognizing the value of pairing the Association brand with the member organization to bring greater influence to the marketplace.”
Members in the two supplier categories do not compete for priority; they perform for the good of the membership and the Association. Points are accumulated by (1) providing the social capital value, (2) maintaining an active and current membership balance, (3) actively using Association vehicles (i.e., advertising, networking, exhibiting, and sponsoring), (4) participating in customer evaluations for on-time delivery and product support, and (5) building up the membership with effort in the Golden Tie Membership program. Any company can achieve sufficient performance points within this program during their first year to enter their second year with an invitation to become a Preferred Supplier through the engagement rubric.
Once the status has been achieved, the benefits include global recognition and search value through the Association website, prioritized access to event participation, digital badge and media branding for self-promotion, features in print, recognition at major industry events (e.g., WOC and CFACON), and much more.
For more information, including where your organization may stand in the current rubric and what additional information is necessary to qualify, interested parties can reach out to Association staff at
contact Association headquarters at 319-895-6940.
