Archery Trade Association
Encyclopedia
The Archery Trade Association, formerly known as the Archery Manufacturer and Merchant's Organization, (AMO) is a non-profit trade organization for the promotion of archery
and bowhunting
through sale of equipment, projects in archery education, the standardization of equipment measures, and the sponsorship of events. It includes manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other companies associated with these industries.
as the Archery Manufacturers and Dealers Association (AMADA), containing within its initial membership such renowned archers as Fred Bear
and Bob Lee.
One of its first tasks was the standardization of bow string
lengths, resulting in a measure (called "AMO length") that is currently still in use.
In the 1960s it shortened its name to the Archery Manufacturer's Association, or the Archery Manufacturer and Merchant's Organization, (AMO) and its membership (mostly consisting of manufacturers) was greatly increased in the 1970s with the innovation of the Compound bow
. In 1991 the organization moved its central location to Gainesville, Florida
under the presidency of Dick Lattimer. In 1997, with the debut of the AMO Archery Trade Show, the funding formerly provided by companies' donations was replaced by the profits generated from this event.
In 2003, the AMO was reorganized into the ATA and two separate but associated foundations (Arrowsport and the Bowhunting Preservation Alliance) in order to increase fund-raising and provide focus for the industry regarding the promotion, protection and growth of archery and bowhunting.
According to its current director, three time Olympian
Denise Parker, the five main objectives of the foundation are:
.
The group has established five objectives for the support of bow hunting. According to president and CEO Jay McAninch, a former wildlife biologist, these objectives are:
It is also a contributor to Inside Archery, ArrowTrade and Archery Business.
The ATA also publishes various Press Releases.
Additionally, it promotes awareness of Chronic wasting disease
alongside the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, of which it is a sponsor.
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
and bowhunting
Bowhunting
Bowhunting is the practice of killing game animals by archery. It has been a normal use of archery in every culture that had bows.- Technique :...
through sale of equipment, projects in archery education, the standardization of equipment measures, and the sponsorship of events. It includes manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other companies associated with these industries.
History
The ATA was originally formed in 1953 in WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
as the Archery Manufacturers and Dealers Association (AMADA), containing within its initial membership such renowned archers as Fred Bear
Fred Bear
Fred Bear was an American bow hunter, bow manufacturer, author, and television host.He was born in the town of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Although he did not start bow hunting until he was 29 and did not master the skill for many years, he is widely regarded as a pioneer in the bow-hunting community...
and Bob Lee.
One of its first tasks was the standardization of bow string
Bow string
A bow string joins the two ends of the bow stave and launches the arrow. Desirable properties include light weight, strength, resistance to abrasion, and resistance to water...
lengths, resulting in a measure (called "AMO length") that is currently still in use.
In the 1960s it shortened its name to the Archery Manufacturer's Association, or the Archery Manufacturer and Merchant's Organization, (AMO) and its membership (mostly consisting of manufacturers) was greatly increased in the 1970s with the innovation of the Compound bow
Compound bow
A compound bow is a modern bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys, to bend the limbs.The limbs of a compound bow are much stiffer than those of a recurve bow or longbow. This limb stiffness makes the compound bow more energy-efficient than other bows, in conjunction with the...
. In 1991 the organization moved its central location to Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
under the presidency of Dick Lattimer. In 1997, with the debut of the AMO Archery Trade Show, the funding formerly provided by companies' donations was replaced by the profits generated from this event.
In 2003, the AMO was reorganized into the ATA and two separate but associated foundations (Arrowsport and the Bowhunting Preservation Alliance) in order to increase fund-raising and provide focus for the industry regarding the promotion, protection and growth of archery and bowhunting.
Foundations
The two foundations associated with the ATA, for which it provides funding and direction, are both tax-free organizations devoted to education and research, although they are geared toward different goals.Arrowsport
Arowsport was formed in 2002 as an advocacy group for archery promotion and growth. It consists of a coalition of organizations within the archery industry, including:- National Field Archery Association
- USA Archery
- Archery Shooters Association
- International Bowhunting Organization
- American Crossbow Federation
- National Alliance for the Development of Archery
According to its current director, three time Olympian
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
Denise Parker, the five main objectives of the foundation are:
- lowering barriers to entry into archery and increasing shooting opportunities
- the growth of recreational archery
- the maintenance and increase of the number of archers
- increased public awareness of archery
- assisting with the unification archers and archery organizations
Bowhunting Preservation Alliance (BPA)
Whereas Arrowsport focuses on the sporting aspects of archery, the Bowhunting Preservation Alliance (BPA) – also formed in 2002 – has as its primary objective the promotion of bowhunting, which involves the taking of game animalsGame (food)
Game is any animal hunted for food or not normally domesticated. Game animals are also hunted for sport.The type and range of animals hunted for food varies in different parts of the world. This will be influenced by climate, animal diversity, local taste and locally accepted view about what can or...
.
The group has established five objectives for the support of bow hunting. According to president and CEO Jay McAninch, a former wildlife biologist, these objectives are:
- the maintenance and growth of the number of bowhunters
- increased bowhunting opportunities
- increased public awareness of bowhunting
- lowered barriers to bowhunting opportunities
- assisting with the unitfication of bowhunters and bowhunting organizations
Membership
In the year 2000 the AMO consisted of more than 600 manufacturers, dealers and distributors. Today the number of companies in its membership exceeds a thousand.Publications
The ATA and its foundations produce Insight, a bulletin designed to provide readers with updated information about the industry.It is also a contributor to Inside Archery, ArrowTrade and Archery Business.
The ATA also publishes various Press Releases.
Additionally, it promotes awareness of Chronic wasting disease
Chronic wasting disease
Chronic wasting disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of mule deer, whitetailed deer, elk , and moose. TSEs are caused by unusual infectious agents known as prions. To date, CWD has been found mainly in cervids...
alongside the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, of which it is a sponsor.