1. Search. Use A.R.E.’s online Member Search to search for members that meet your specific criteria. You can search by keyword, or by specific products, services, or capabilities. By clicking on the “+” and expanding the keyword search screen, you can search by specific criteria including materials worked with, geographic region, production level (stock, semi-custom, or custom) and/or plant size, among others. The search returns a summary list of companies that meet that criteria. At this point, you can either refine the search further, or begin to review company information in more detail.
2. Review. Starting with the summary list, you begin to get an idea of each company’s experience and industry activity through the associated icons (add link to icon section of this site). These graphic elements identify years of membership in A.R.E., GlobalShop exhibitors, Retail Design Awards and other industry awards, participation in A.R.E.’s continuing education programs and industry research, and industry service through the association.
Get details on individual companies by clicking on the company name and viewing the member’s profile page. This detailed page also provides more information on the member’s industry participation.
3. Request. Once you’ve reviewed the detailed profile page, and believe that you’ve found a good match for your needs, you can request an A.R.E. Standard Vendor Qualification Form from the company by clicking on the Request icon on right side of member profile page.
You will then be asked to complete a brief online questionnaire. This form identifies who is making the request and provides basic information about the retailer or specifying company, including contact information. The form also offers the opportunity to request additional information that is not part of the A.R.E. Standard Vendor Qualification Form.
Once you submit your request, you will receive an automatic e-mail confirmation that lets you know that your request has been sent to the member company of your choice. At the same time, the A.R.E. member company receives a separate e-mail that details your request for the company’s A.R.E. Standard Vendor Qualification Form, together with the information you provided regarding number of stores, contact information, deadline for receipt of information, etc.
At this point, the member company has the necessary information to carry on future communications with you, the specifier or fixture purchaser, directly.
That’s all there is to it. A.R.E. member companies are in complete control of their information and which retailers it is sent to. A.R.E. does not hold (or even see) any completed qualification forms.
2. Review. 
3. Request.