In January 1904, a group of 80 office products, equipment and furniture dealers gathered in Chicago to lay the groundwork for a national association, the National Association of Stationers and Manufacturers. The association grew over the years into what is now known as the Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers Association (IOPFDA). Celebrating its 110th anniversary in 2014, IOPFDA offers two interactive divisions based on the dealers' primary offering: the National Office Products Alliance (NOPA) and the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (OFDA) and  represent over 1,200 members including dealers, manufacturers, wholesalers, manufacturers representatives and industry service providers.

While the association has adapted to suit the changing industry, the mission to  provide independent dealers with the information, tools and knowledge they need to help them to be successful in an evolving business environment has remained the same. From typewriters to tablets and wooden chairs to ergonomic seating, the IOPFDA  accomplishes these goals by:

• Conducting research studies focused on the dealers and their markets.
• Providing opportunities for dialogue, education advancement and business improvement.
• Providing a platform for dealers for advocacy on issues affecting dealers.
• Promulgating policies and conduct activities for the betterment of dealers.

Although united in its mission and goals, each of the IOPFDA's divisions focus on particular areas of dealer development that are unique to either office products and/or the office furniture industry.

NOPA-Specific Areas of Interest 

• Government Advocacy - NOPA is the industry-wide organization representing dealer interests before the U.S. Government and key states, insisting on a level playing field in contracting for independents and protecting office products dealers’ business against misguided government proposals.
• Data Standardization - NOPA provides leadership to promote ongoing product data and e-content management standardization among wholesalers and buying groups to help dealers improve order fulfillment accuracy, boost operational efficiency and achieve consistently superior customer service.
• "Buy Local"  Business Resource - NOPA’s members-only service, the Independent Dealer Locator (IDL), is a versatile search tool with expanding links to industry manufacturers’ websites. It is designed to channel greater sales to the independent dealer channel and specifically to NOPA members.

Under the guidance of a Board of Directors made up of both office supply and office furniture dealers and an Advisory Board is representative of manufacturers and service providers to the industry, IOPFDA is the association for the office products and office furniture dealer community.