MSAA RENTAL/ACCESSORY BUYING GROUP UPDATE - 2007

Details at www.sarabp.com

Username: MSAA
Password: snowplaces

The MSAA Rental Buying Group now provides
MSAA members with a variety of services:

• Testing of new rental gear from suppliers.
• Test Reports on the results of those tests to MSAA members.
• MSAA negotiates Buying Group prices with all suppliers and sends the MSAA annual Buying Group Guide to all members in February.
• MSAA provides ongoing information to all members on request.

MSAA's Buying Group also provides suppliers
with variety information and services:

• Suppliers receive copies of all Test Reports to help them evaluate their gear.
• MSAA provides suppliers with annual Open-To-Buy estimates on potential rental gear by MSAA members.
• MSAA provides suppliers with a consolidated list of member requests for special Buying Group rental products and accessories.

These combined efforts have resulted in, improved product offerings, prices, delivery, and technical support, for all MSAA members. Suppliers have benefited from improved communication with all MSAA members, as well as sales results. Member participation has been the key to the success of the Buying Group to date.

The Midwest Ski Areas Association and its members affiliated with other regional ski areas associations to create the SKI AREA RENTALS AND ACCESSORIES BUYING PROGRAM. This 205 member ski areas cooperative program is designed to help Mountain Management Services, LLC purchase rental hard goods and accessories - and it is especially important during a challenging season like this one.

As an association member, your ski area is also a member of the Program and is entitled to purchase rental and accessories through the Program. Doing so gets you great pricing, and supports your association with participation rewards from the suppliers, which can be used to grow the sport in your state.

The SKI AREA RENTALS AND ACCESSORIES BUYING PROGRAM (SARA-BP) is an expansion of a program operated by the Midwest Ski Areas Association for five years. During that time it has helped member ski areas get better and more durable ski and snowboard rental equipment. The test program has shown which products hold up to rental conditions most successfully. Pricing for all rentals has been at the level of a bigger buyer - for all size buys. So in a bad year when you replace or add fewer rentals - your pricing is still very competitive. When you buy demo gear - your pricing is still very competitive. When you try new brands - your pricing is still very competitive.

Accessories have been a big part of the program and we have been able to help member ski areas purchase them at group member savings. When you buy accessories through SARA-BP - your pricing is still very competitive.

For much more information about the SKI AREA RENTALS AND ACCESSORIES BUYING PROGRAM (SARA-BP) go to the Program website www.SARABP.com where you'll find the information on your regional association's relationship with the program and full details on how to purchase equipment and accessories.

To see the offers that are beginning to be posted at www.SARABP.com now that the SIA Show is over, you'll need a user name and password, here are yours (they are case sensitive): On the home page click on SPECIAL MEMBER OFFERS from the list on the left:

Username: MSAA
Password: snowplaces

WHEN YOU PLACE AN ORDER for your ski area with any of the reps from the represented companies, just tell them that "THIS IS A SARA-BP ORDER".
All SARA-BP orders need to be placed by April 16, 2007. Some suppliers have special order dates shown on their materials

If you have any questions about the program please contact the program managers at SARA-Program@USA.net or call us at 651-484-1818. You can also call your regional association office to discuss the program.

All the best for a strong finish to a crazy season,

SARA-BP

Feel free to contact MSAA if you want more details.

Midwest Ski Areas Association - MSAA
Email: midwest-ski@usa.net
Business Phone: 651-484-1818, Fax: 651-484-0240