SPARS: A Trade Association for Recording Professionals

The industry niche trade association that I discovered and am interested in is SPARS.  SPARS is The Society of Professional Audio Recording Services.  According to their website SPARS provides access to knowledge, latest trends, and other professionals.  They are an association that includes audio recording and mastering facilities, manufacturers, engineers, producers and multimedia specialists.  They support businesses in the recording industry and the individual professionals who work in the audio recording industry.

SPARS writes on their website that they do not exist to make money but they exist to serve the industry.  SPARS is a trade association that connects personnel in the audio recording industry and serves them as a resource.  They offer countless educational opportunities for its members in the form of seminars, publications, business resources and other support programs for its members. 

Their current programs and services seem extensive and beneficial to its members. They host BizTech and eStudio conferences, which address current business and operational issues.  Their multiple publications include SPARS Time Code Primer, which is a hands-on guide for synchronization.  They also have their Occupational Handbook, Business Policy Pamphletes and their electronic newsletter, SPARS eTracks.  They have many resources for business owners such as the SPARS Test that can be used to assess the job knowledge of current and potential employees.  I think that one of the most valuable assets of being a SPARS member is the experience and resource you have in the other members.  According to their website, “Each SPARS board member has pledged to be available to answer questions, offer advice, or help steer you to the right resource.”  That alone is worth the membership, particularly for someone new to the industry.  Another excellent service they offer is their University Lecture Series.  This program offers expert seminars for students of various business or technical sophistication, as published in their brochure.  They also offer a grant for students pursuing industry related education. 

The impact of SPARS on the industry is priceless.  Their programs result in efficient and proficient business and operating practices.  As a future business owner in the audio recording industry, it would be reckless for me not to utilize the resources that this trade association offers.  The members are all industry professionals with a wealth of knowledge and most have many years of experience.       

Much of what this trade association does is provide endless resources for its members to be successful in the audio recording industry.  They do not seem to involve in any type of legislative or industry policy matters, however.  They are extremely malleable in the way that they adapt to changes in the industry though.  For example in 1979, when SPARS began they were made up of the small group of recording professionals who dominated the industry.  Now that recording facilities have extended throughout the country and technology has provoked drastic changes in the recording process, SPARS stays true to its roots.  They adapt and continue to serve each other.  The founders began the organization because they realized that they all had similar issues that they faced owning and operating recording facilities.  They used this organization to consult each other to solve problems collectively and to share valuable information.  SPARS perpetuates the spirit of its founders by continuing to focus on learning from and supporting its members.