LAS VEGAS – The Boards of Directors of A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments) and POPAI (Point of Purchase Advertising International) have voted to enter a due diligence phase and work in good faith toward a definitive agreement to merge the two associations.

At their respective board meetings held during GlobalShop in Las Vegas this week, both not-for-profit groups agreed to a preliminary framework that will allow them to better serve their members and advance the industry as a combined organization.

According to Michelle Adams of Marketing Brainology, the current elected Chairman of POPAI, “It is clear to us that the memberships of both organizations have much in common, and that the entire industry will benefit greatly from our combining forces.”

A.R.E.’s elected president Bob Rosean of TJ Hale added, “This is a true unification of equals. These two venerable associations bring complementary strengths to the table. Together, it will be a case of 1 plus 1 equals 3.”

POPAI, established in 1936, is the leading not-for-profit global association for the in-store marketing industry. International in scope, its membership consists of leading retailers, CPG’s, brand agencies, producers and educators who are committed to relevant shopper marketing research and education.

Established in 1956 as the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM), A.R.E. is the not-for-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. A.R.E. member companies include retail design firms and suppliers of store fixtures, visual merchandising products, materials, equipment and services.

About A.R.E.

A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments) is the nonprofit trade association representing the retail environments industry, with 750-plus member companies, including retail design firms and suppliers of store fixtures, visual merchandising products, materials, equipment and services. Retail and design professionals worldwide rely on A.R.E. for industry knowledge, insights, marketing, and events. A.R.E. products include: Retail Environments magazine, Retail Design Collective (producer), GlobalShop (association partner), RetailEnvironments.org, Supplier | Connect, Retail Environments Insights Center, A.R.E. Economic Advisor, A.R.E. Industry Summit, A.R.E. Shoptalks, Retail Environments Network, A.R.E. Connect and more.