The Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association (SGMA) is the trade association of the retailers, manufacturers and marketers of the sporting goods industry. The SGMA was founded in 1906 in New York, and is currently based in Washington DC. Currently, the SGMA represents over 1,000 manufacturers, retailers and marketers, including 3,000 business locations and over 375,000 people. The SGMA generates over $60 billion in domestic revenue, and $15 billion internationally.Founded in April, 1906, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association set out to meet the needs of an increasingly growing industry. Originally, the SGMA was founded by six sporting goods manufacturers, but that number quickly expanded as the demand for quality sporting goods increased.In 1941, the SGMA developed several sport-specific organizations to help meet the needs of the workers in the individual sports. These organizations include the National Golf Foundation, The Athletic Institute, The Tennis Industry Association and The World Federation of Sporting Goods. All of these organizations have provided support for the workers of each sport or industry they represent.
In 1957, the SGMA developed and launched The Sporting Goods Fair, which was a convention used to showcase new sporting goods and merchandise. Later, in 1986, the fair was renamed The Super Show. At its peak, The Super Show was the largest sports and fitness marketing event.Recently, the SGMA has shifted its interest towards research and public policy. In the 1990s, the SGMA began creating research reports on various sports regarding participation, areas of growth, trends and other figures. In 1997, the SGMA helped aid in creating child labor laws in Pakistan regarding the production of soccer balls. These laws are still in effect today.
In 2001, SGMA developed PE4life, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering quality physical education to school-aged children. The SGMA still continues with their dedication towards physical education and obesity awareness.
Since the Sporting Good Manufacturers Association is located in the heart of Washington DC, they are very heavily tied to Capitol Hill and the sporting world. Recently, the SGMA has aided in the passing of key legislature that will influence all of America’s health and well-being. In 2009, $78 million was set aside for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP), a 3.1% increase from 2008. This was due in part to the assistance of the SGMA. Also, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association has helped introduce the Personal Health Improvement Today (PHIT) Act to the House of Representatives. If this act is passed, it will allow for $1,000 to be spent on physical education programs including registration for teams, equipment and memberships. This money would be non-taxable and would aid in the fight against obesity.
On March 4, 2009, SGMA sponsored its 10th Annual Health Through Fitness Day. During this event, members of the industry, celebrity athletes, and physical activity advocates met with Congress to support SGMA physical activity initiatives, PEP and PHIT. Through the years various celebrity athletes, ranging from Mia Hamm to Herschel Walker, have attended SGMA’s National Health Through Fitness Days to discuss their concerns with America’s health and well-being.SGMA will be hosting it’s 11th Annual National Health Through Fitness Day on March 9, 2010.
^ About SGMA
^ Children in the 2009 Budget: US House of Representatives Omnibus ^ Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Overview ^ SGMA’s 10th National Health Through Fitness Day Was Dynamic
^ SGMA’s 11th Annual National Health Through Fitness DayRetrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_Goods_Manufacturers_Association"