AKTI experienced record membership growth in 2014 and into the beginning of 2015
“We’re excited about the record year we had in 2014,” said Bill Raczkowski of Gerber, AKTI Membership Chair. “It was amazing to see that level of growth and in every category of membership from individual on up to voting corporate member.”
Cody, WY (March 12, 2015) – The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) experienced tremendous membership growth in 2014 and the trend is continuing into 2015.
“We’re excited about the record year we had in 2014,” said Bill Raczkowski of Gerber, AKTI Membership Chair. “It was amazing to see that level of growth and in every category of membership from individual on up to voting corporate member.”
Membership growth for the nonprofit association that represents the knife community was a record 26% in 2014. Only the top 1% of trade associations saw this significant of an increase, according to the 2014 Membership Marketing Benchmark Report by Marketing General.
“We were very pleased to welcome Taylor Brands and Acme United with the Camillus brand to the AKTI Board of Regents recently as well as Boker USA to our Advisory Board,” said AKTI President Rod Bremer, CRKT. “We value their participation as we work collectively to represent the industry and entire knife community.”
Additional new corporate members have included retailer Cabela’s, online store KnifeCenter.com, new knife company Steel Will Knives, as well as industry suppliers, custom knifemakers and individuals. Business and individual memberships all increased 26% in 2014 and that growth is continuing in the first quarter of 2015.
The American Knife & Tool Institute was formed in 1998 to be the advocacy voice for the sporting knife and tool industry and all knife users. Its membership includes major knife manufacturers, distributors, large retailers, online stores, small specialty shops, custom knifemakers and individuals. AKTI’s mission is to ensure that Americans will always be able to make, buy, sell, own, carry and use the knife and edged tool of their choice.
“As the advocacy voice of the knife community,” explained Jan Billeb, AKTI Executive Director. “We are a multi-faceted organization about more than just the rights of knife users and knife laws. Our initiatives also work to educate about knives as valuable everyday tools, knife safety for children and first-time knife owners, and how to be a responsible knife user.” She further said, “AKTI has programs to inform consumers about counterfeits, and provide information to members to combat the problems counterfeits create for the industry. Our website contains valuable, reliable knife law information to help those who make, sell or use knives. We are a resource to legislators and law enforcement. Everything AKTI does benefits everyone in the knife community and we are dedicated to ensure that our community thrives.”
Check out joining AKTI Today! Individual membership is only $35 per year and includes a membership card, decal, AKTI logo pin, AKTI luggage tag, Knife-Wise card, copies of AKTI printed puiblications AND access to www.stateknifelaws.com. Additional individual and business membership levels are available. Click here.