The Washington State Bartenders Guild is one of the last remaining independent associations, but that may soon change. Members are weighing an offer to create a chapter with the national network, currently represented in more than 25 cities, regions, or states.

The offer’s been extended before, but now there’s enough people and momentum where consideration makes sense, says WSBG president Andrew Friedman, owner of Liberty on Capitol Hill.

“When we started we weren’t on the map,” he says, adding the Northwest bar scene has always maintained an air of independence.

Why join? Friedman says the United States Bartenders Guild provides a platform for those wanting to up their national profile. For example, members are invited to partake in marquee contests. “We’d hate to keep people back who want that.” On the flip side, joining could affect distribution models: the national network tends to work with big brands, whereas Washington tenders largely prefer boutique labels. (Seattle is considered one of the top cities for testing out new spirits.)

The Washington guild—one of the larger ones out there—met on the 13th to consider the offer but a consensus has yet to be be met. “It’s a lot more split than I thought” it would be, says Friedman. WSBG will meet two more times in the coming weeks before deciding. Stay tuned.