NIT League to raise dues

NIT League to raise dues       The National Industrial Transportation League plans to raise membership dues in the near future. The NIT League board decided during its annual conference held this month in Anaheim, Calif., to raise dues for all membership categories, according to the trade association’s weekly newsletter.
   The NIT League has traditionally represented the freight interests of shippers, but opened its doors to carriers and other logistics providers three years ago to collaborate on common issues and expand its base in response to a decline in membership.
   The group said it decided to raise dues after exhausting cost-cutting options and determining that its dues structure is below average for similar type trade associations. The money will be used to improve programs and lobbying efforts as well as build up cash reserves.
   Annual dues range from $690 for companies with less than $150 million in gross sales to $4,760 for companies with gross sales above $10 billion, according to the association’s Web site. The NIT League said rate increases will vary within each membership category and that it is creating a new category for companies with the highest and lowest gross sales. Details remain to be worked out.
   In an effort to attract new members and retain existing ones, the board said it would develop a marketing plan to better promote the benefits of NIT League membership. About 700 companies belonged to NIT League in 2004, according to the group’s annual report.