Frequently Asked Questions
The Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging, the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA), and A3 Mexico — have unified into a single association under the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) brand. This decision, unanimously endorsed by the associations’ Boards of Directors, was reached after a two-year strategic planning initiative. The following represents the new, enhanced membership levels offered by A3.
Looking for new Membership Benefits? See our updated guide here.
The Association for Advancing Automation is the world’s largest automation trade association made up of 1200+ companies involved in technologies such as robotics, AI, machine vision, 3D printing, simulation, motion control & motors, and more. We represent the entire ecosystem including suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups, and consulting firms. We are made stronger from the shared history of the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging, and the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA) dating back nearly 50 years. We promote automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done; we connect, advocate, educate, and lead the automation industry.
Regardless of your former affiliation to AIA, MCMA, RIA, or A3 Mexico, your company will now enjoy complete access to all the combined benefits, resources, and education of the integrated A3 organization. After the transition, A3 members will receive access to a new range of valuable benefits which have been created exclusively for A3 member companies; more powerful and valuable connections between automation companies and user companies; integrated access to all resources regardless of technology; and more
We are becoming one A3 to better serve our members by providing more valuable resources to help them become more successful. This transformation will allow more companies from all sectors of the automation industry to connect and move technology forward; the transformation will help educate more people throughout the world about your products and services, and the transformation will streamline your member benefits through one A3 membership!
You’ve come to the right place to start your journey! A3 can connect you to all of the leading suppliers and system integrators, all of the leading industry standards, and the best collection of articles, webinars, and events in the world! Need help navigating the process? Schedule a call with your membership manager, Amy Zmikly.
A3 can help you learn how other users are successfully applying automation in all kinds of industries! Our archived webinars, live events, and articles are a great starting point, but you can also contact our 1200+ members to take advantage of their expertise and experience. Our staff is here to help you navigate our resources and connect you to people who can help, start by scheduling a call with your membership manager, Amy Zmikly.
Our 1200+ members include the world’s leading automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups, and consulting firms. A3 members also include start-up companies providing innovative new technologies and user companies just beginning their automation journey. Wherever you are in your automation journey, we want A3 to be your trade association!
No, anyone can benefit from finding free resources on our website, attending most of our events, and contacting our members. However, members get so much more, including access to members-only content and events, discounts on association activities, and promotion to the millions of people around the world we reach each year!
The new A3 website will be divided into communities for each major technology sector we represent. You’ll be able to find what you need for specific technologies there.
A3 will continue holding major events in robotics, vision & imaging, motion control & motors, artificial intelligence, and more. Traditional events will continue and new ones will be added. We think all of our events will be even stronger going forward!
We’d love to help you. If you’re a current RIA, AIA, or MCMA member, please reach out to Amy Zmikly, our membership manager. You can schedule time on Amy’s calendar for a phone call, or reach out via email. If you're a current A3 Mexico member, you can contact Claudia Sofia Rodriguez Arguelles. For anyone considering the many benefits of joining the Association, our membership sales manager, Julia Stevenson, is ready to answer your questions. She’s happy to schedule a time for a phone call, or you can email her directly.
Your legacy RIA, AIA, MCMA, and A3 México membership will automatically be transformed into an A3 level membership, giving you access to an even wider audience and more functionality than ever before! You will still have control over how you appear on our website (robotics, vision, motion control, AI communities) through your member control panel.
The new membership levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Click here for a comprehensive list of benefits and pricing per membership level.
It’s easy, simply contact Sarah LeCouffe and request a membership level change. The changes in functionality will take place as soon as your payment is processed. You can also upgrade your membership through your member control panel.
A3 offers a unique package to companies that are less than three years old, and are making less than $2M in annual recurring revenue. This startup membership is available to companies that meet both of those criteria, and the annual fee is $500. Member companies who join at the startup level may continue at that price point for up to two years before transitioning to an upgraded membership level. More information will be available soon. In the meantime, you can schedule a call with Julia Stevenson.
A3 offers a unique membership for universities and trade schools. The annual dues are $1,000 and university members can earn access to higher-level membership benefits like the A3 Vault and access to certification training videos by participating in A3 activities, uploading content to A3’s website, and becoming more deeply engaged with the association. More information will be available soon. In the meantime, you can schedule a call with Julia Stevenson.
We will no longer be defining the membership levels by company type, but you will still be able to select which type of company you are in your Member Control Panel (MCP) so that you are visible in the correct areas of our website and represented to customers appropriately.
Everything you have come to know and love about your current membership is going to continue in your A3 membership, with only a couple of benefits being delivered differently than in the past. We were committed to rolling out even more value for you in each of A3’s new membership levels. For a complete list of benefits at each level, click here.
A3 has invested in creating many new benefits for you as members. For a complete list of everything that is brand new as a result of One A3, click here.
Due to GDPR and data privacy regulations that exist today, we will no longer be able to provide the ‘Monthly Sales Leads’ lists to RIA supplier members. While some tabletops for members will no longer be free, members will receive discounts on exhibiting and other valuable new benefits. There are a host of new benefits we have created that were explicitly designed to bring more qualified leads to you as a condition of your membership. Check them out here.
You’ll use the same credentials as your current Member Login. The new A3 website will feature an enhanced Company Profile & Member Control Panel in a mobile-friendly format. As always, you can schedule a time to review the updates with our Membership Manager, Amy Zmikly, through her calendar or reach out to her via email at [email protected].
This is your trade association – we hope you and others at your company will volunteer to serve on committees, speak at our events, and spread the word to others about the critical role automation plays in our society. To get involved, schedule a call with your membership manager, Amy Zmikly.
The A3 website is expected to reach over a million unique visitors per year. We have a tremendous range of advertising and branding opportunities for your company, all of which are extremely affordable in order to allow members of any size to take advantage of them. For complete details, contact Jim Hamilton.
All A3 events, live and virtual, offer low-cost, high-value sponsorship opportunities. For full details contact Jim Hamilton.
All of our archived webinars can be found here.
RIA, AIA, and MCMA members will still be able to access industry statistics through logging into their member control panel, similar to how it functions currently. If you have questions on where to find this information, contact Amy Zmikly at [email protected]. If you have specific questions on statistics, please email Alex Shikany at [email protected].
The critical RIA Standards work will continue in the new A3 structure and will be empowered through input, dedication, and leadership from more industry players. More information on specifics is coming soon; click here to get involved in current robotic standards initiatives.
AIA and global machine vision standards work will continue in the new A3 structure and will be empowered through input, dedication, and leadership from more industry players. More information on specifics is coming soon; click here to get involved in current AIA standards initiatives.
Yes! This program will continue in the new A3 structure. More information on its location on our new website is coming soon. In the meantime, you can find full details about our courses and exams here.
Yes! The basic and advanced certifications will continue in the new A3 structure. More information on its location on our new website is coming soon. In the meantime, you can find full details about our courses and exams here.
Yes! This important program for robotics integrators will continue. More information on its location on our new website is coming soon. In the meantime, you can find full details about our program here.
Yes! This important program for vision integrators will continue. More information on its location on our new website is coming soon. In the meantime, you can find full details about our program here.