A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. An industry trade association participates in public relations activities such as advertising, education, political donations, lobbying and publishing, but its main focus is collaboration between companies, or standardization. Associations may offer other services, such as producing conferences, networking or charitable events or offering classes or educational materials. Many associations are non-profit organizations governed by bylaws and directed by officers who are also members.

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In countries with a social market economy the role of trade associations is often taken by employers’ organizations which also have a role in the social dialogue.

Publishing

Almost all trade associations are heavily involved in publishing activities, in print and/or online. The main media published by trade associations are as follows:

• Association website. The association’s corporate website typically explains the association’s aims and objectives, promotes the association’s products and services, explains the benefits of membership to prospective members, and promotes members’ businesses (for example by means of an online listing of members and description of their businesses.)
• Members newsletters or magazines. Whether produced in print or online, association newsletters and magazines contain news about the activities of the association, industry news and editorial features on topical issues. Some are exclusively distributed to members, while others are used to lobby lawmakers and regulators, and some are used to promote members’ businesses to potential new customers.
• Membership directories and yearbooks. Larger trade associations publish membership directories and yearbooks to promote their association to opinion formers, lawmakers, regulators and other stakeholders. Such publications also help to promote members’ businesses both to each other and to a wider audience. A typical membership directory contains profiles of each association member, a products and services guide, advertising from members, and editorial articles about the aims, objectives and activities of the association. The emphasis of association yearbooks on the other hand is on editorial features about the association itself and the association’s industry.

The opportunity to be promoted in such media (whether by way of editorial or advertising) is often an important reason why companies join a trade association in the first place.

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