Johnny/Jerry-
Are/were you ever an active PPFA member? Have you attended the PPFA Convention? If so, please substantiate your statement.
While I cannot speak to the "motives" of PMA and the affiliation with PPFA, I can, as an active member, advisory committee member, and PPFA Educator, and as an equally active member of PPFA prior to the affiliation, speak to the tangible effects of the affiliation.
The PPFA under the PMA has received nothing but support and encouragement- in fact, I always said at the advisory committee meetings, be careful of what you suggest, as it will most likely be acted upon and become a reality.
It is my heartfelt opinion that without the PMA affiliation, PPFA would not exist today. And without the hard work and dedication of the PMA staff, PPFA would not be what it is today, a significantly stronger and better run trade association.
And while it also cannot be denied that there have been some overtures to photographers to add custom framing to their product mix, it can hardly be construed as an attempt to "convert" them to picture framers.
I would suggest that there have (are) also been opportunities presented to framers to add aspects of digital output and photographic services to their product/services as well, and PMA welcomes framers into their classes and will teach them how to do so.
I would also add that if one wanted to learn the photo business, there is a whole lot more information available to framers (as a benefit of membership) on the PMA side of the affiliation than there is framing information readily available to photographers.
Rick