Trade association

{{Short description|Organization for businesses in a given industry}}

{{Short description|Organization for businesses in a given industry}}

{{Distinguish|Trade union}}

{{Distinguish|Trade union}}

A '''trade association''', also known as an '''industry trade group''', '''business association''', '''sector association''' or '''industry body''', is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific [[Industry (economics)|industry]]. Through collaboration between companies within a [[Business sector|sector]], a trade association coordinates [[public relations]] activities such as [[advertising]], education, publishing and, especially, [[lobbying]] and [[political action]]. Associations may offer other services, such as producing conferences, setting industry standards, [[industry self-regulation]], holding 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.

A '''trade association''', also known as an '''industry trade group''', '''business association''', '''sector association''', '''industry consortium''' or '''industry body''', is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific [[Industry (economics)|industry]]. Through collaboration between companies within a [[Business sector|sector]], a trade association coordinates [[public relations]] activities such as [[advertising]], education, publishing and, especially, [[lobbying]] and [[political action]]. Associations may offer other services, such as producing conferences, setting industry standards, [[industry self-regulation]], holding 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.

Trade associations and other industry groups are politically influential in the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], and other countries, lobbying elected officials, regulators, and other policymakers.{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2022 |title=UK business lobbying in the EU after Brexit |url=https://ukandeu.ac.uk/uk-business-lobbying-in-the-eu-after-brexit/ |website=UK in a Changing Europe}} They also invest heavily in publishing, advertising, and other forms of [[issue advocacy]].{{Cite web |title=Legal Services Advertising in the United States – 2020-2024 - American Tort Reform Association |url=https://atra.org/white-paper-and-repo/legal-services-ads-2020-2024/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=atra.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Downie |first=Christian |last2=Brulle |first2=Robert |date=2023-02-13 |title=Big Oil’s trade group allies outspent clean energy groups by a whopping 27x, with billions in ads and lobbying to keep fossil fuels flowing |url=http://theconversation.com/big-oils-trade-group-allies-outspent-clean-energy-groups-by-a-whopping-27x-with-billions-in-ads-and-lobbying-to-keep-fossil-fuels-flowing-198286 |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-02-14 |title=Big Oil's allies spend big money on ads and lobbying to keep fossil fuels flowing {{!}} Analysis • Pennsylvania Capital-Star |url=https://penncapital-star.com/commentary/big-oils-allies-spend-big-money-on-ads-and-lobbying-to-keep-fossil-fuels-flowing-analysis/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Pennsylvania Capital-Star |language=en-US}}

Trade associations and other industry groups are politically influential in the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], and other countries, lobbying elected officials, regulators, and other policymakers.{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2022 |title=UK business lobbying in the EU after Brexit |url=https://ukandeu.ac.uk/uk-business-lobbying-in-the-eu-after-brexit/ |website=UK in a Changing Europe}} They also invest heavily in publishing, advertising, and other forms of [[issue advocacy]].{{Cite web |title=Legal Services Advertising in the United States – 2020-2024 - American Tort Reform Association |url=https://atra.org/white-paper-and-repo/legal-services-ads-2020-2024/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=atra.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Downie |first=Christian |last2=Brulle |first2=Robert |date=2023-02-13 |title=Big Oil’s trade group allies outspent clean energy groups by a whopping 27x, with billions in ads and lobbying to keep fossil fuels flowing |url=http://theconversation.com/big-oils-trade-group-allies-outspent-clean-energy-groups-by-a-whopping-27x-with-billions-in-ads-and-lobbying-to-keep-fossil-fuels-flowing-198286 |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-02-14 |title=Big Oil's allies spend big money on ads and lobbying to keep fossil fuels flowing {{!}} Analysis • Pennsylvania Capital-Star |url=https://penncapital-star.com/commentary/big-oils-allies-spend-big-money-on-ads-and-lobbying-to-keep-fossil-fuels-flowing-analysis/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Pennsylvania Capital-Star |language=en-US}}