What's New
Synergy Expands Office Depot Program, Partners with Two Oregon Trade Associations
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In January, Synergy by Association held meetings with the Oregon Association of REALTORS® (OAR) and the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) to coordinate the launch of the Office Depot program to their members. OAR and ORLA become the 24th and 25th trade associations to join Synergy’s national account program with Office Depot. They are the first, however, outside of the banking industry. The OAR membership includes over 13,000 REALTOR® members and 400 affiliates. ORLA’s membership consists of 2,500 restaurants, 750 lodging members and 400 associates. These state trade associations represent a significant new business opportunity for Synergy and are just the beginning of what is expected to be many partnerships with state trade associations. The success of Synergy’s Office Depot program lends well to expansion into other state trade associations. A refined model has been developed and tested, making the launch and ongoing management of the program a turn-key operation for Synergy and partnering associations. For this reason, Office Depot has selected Synergy to serve as the administrator of new state trade association partnerships. The effort to expand Synergy programs beyond the banking industry was one key reason the former company name of BancSource was changed last summer. The Synergy board of directors has also adopted this model of expansion as a top strategic priority for the organization. |
From left: Jim Hudson, National Account Manager – Private Sector GPOs, Office Depot; Gene Meyer, President, Synergy by Association; Marianne Fox, Member Services Coordinator, Oregon Association of REALTORS®, Patrick Berg, Territory Development Manager, Office Depot; Mindy Bergquist, Manager, Partner Programs and Andee Rose, Marketing Director, Synergy by Association. |
BancSource is Now Synergy by Association, Inc.
Synergy by Association Chosen to Reflect Expanding Business Model
BancSource, Inc. recently announced its official corporate name change to Synergy by Association, Inc. Over the past decade, the company has developed strategic partnerships with leading industry suppliers and 25 state trade associations across the country. The name Synergy by Association better reflects the company’s current and future business plans.
By combining the purchasing power of multiple state trade associations and their members, Synergy by Association delivers quality products and services at significant cost savings to association members. At the same time, partner associations earn non-dues revenue.
The new name was in part chosen for the company’s expanding customer base that now extends beyond the banking industry. It also reflects the company’s brand as a group purchasing organization and its long-term strategy to collaboratively advance its trade association partnerships.
“We are proud of the high quality and cost effective products and services we have delivered to Oregon banks and members of our partner state banking associations over the years. While this remains our priority, we also look forward to expanding our reach to benefit new trade association partners outside of the banking industry,” said Linda Navarro, president and CEO of the Oregon Bankers Association and CEO of Synergy by Association.