trade association

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trade association

an organization which represents the interests of firms operating in the same INDUSTRY. Trade associations collect data on industrial production, sales and exports for circulation to member firms, provide a forum for the discussion of trade affairs, and represent the interests of members in dealings with other trade organizations or government departments. See INTERFIRM COMPARISON.

trade association

a central body representing the interests of firms operating in the same line of business. Trade associations compile statistics on industry production, sales, exports, etc., for circulation to member firms, provide a forum for the discussion of trade affairs, and liaise with other trade organizations and government departments regarding matters of mutual concern.

References in periodicals archive ?

First and foremost, trade associations have to meet their members' advocacy needs, but making sure they remain alive financially is as important to them as it is to the insurers whose membership dues they compete for.

Survival techniques: insurance trades are reassessing and sometimes reshaping their presence in the industry in order to stay alive

The chief purpose of these gatherings is to discuss jobs--specifically, the top one or two positions at the biggest and most important industry trade associations and corporate offices centered around Washington's K Street, a canyon of nondescript office buildings a few blocks north of the White House that is to influence-peddling what Wall Street is to finance.

Welcome to the machine: how the GOP disciplined K Street and made Bush supreme. (Cover Story)

The service function is another important area of trade association activity, especially to small firms who tend to be less interested in representation (North et al, 1996).