IRA was founded in 1960 by a group of retailers seeking to bring a unified voice to the legislature regarding issues of interest to the retail industry. Their goals were to…
- promote unified action by the retail industry in matters of common interest to better serve the public;
- provide nonpartisan representation;
- conduct service programs on behalf of the retail industry; and
- work with other state and national organizations on matters of common interest that affect retailing and consumers.
It is through the support of our Board of Directors and membership that IRA has achieved the goals of our founders. Today the Association is recognized by retailers, legislators, state officials, the media, and other trade groups as a powerful and effective representative and spokesperson for the retail industry in Idaho.
Our strength is in our numbers and in the diversity of our membership. IRA includes all types of retailers in all parts of the state, including the largest national chains to the smallest independent retailers. Members include wholesalers, dealers, and professional services, in addition to stores like grocery, convenience, department, drug, hardware, apparel, building supply, office supply, and on and on.
IRA Invites You to Join Us
Your membership investment helps provide the necessary budget to make the work of the Idaho Retailers Association more effective. Your membership investment ensures you will be kept up-to-date on issues which affect your business . . . today, tomorrow, and years to come. Join us in keeping the retail industry healthy and prosperous! Help shape the future of retailing in Idaho – – Join IRA Today!
Pam Eaton, President/CEO
Pam Eaton has served as President/CEO of the Idaho Retailers Association (IRA) since January 2001, building the voice of retailers across Idaho in the legislature, regulatory and federal arenas, the media and general public. She has over 20 years of experience in state retail association management and lobbying, having been with the Washington Retail Association prior to moving to Idaho to lead the IRA.
Representing the IRA, Pam sits on over one-dozen agency and private sector committees, including the Idaho Food Safety Advisory Council, one of five business appointed positions on the Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance Task Force, and Idaho Power’s Idaho Resource Planning Advisory Committee and their Consumer Advisory Group (of which on both, Pam is the only member representing the commercial sector). On behalf of the IRA, Pam also sits on the Governor’s Alcohol Beverage Control Task Force and several other coalitions that are focusing on alcohol issues like training, compliance checks, funding and licensing. She also sits on the boards of directors of the Idaho Liability Reform Coalition, the Idaho Advertising Federation, the Governor’s Idaho Preferred Program, the Idaho Legislative Advisors, and is a past board member of the Council of State Retail Associations and past chairman of the Idaho Society of Association Executives.
Pam graduated from Washington State University, has been married for over 20 years to John (who is also a lobbyist and works for a trade association), and has two wonderful kids – Zach and Reagan.
