List of Trade Associations & Trade Shows
This list of trade associations and trade shows will help you pick your niche and find your target market so you can network with the right people -- the ones who value your services.
This list is mostly US-based resources -- but if you are looking for markets in Canada, check out this list of Canadian associations. (A shout out and thank you to Jennifer Hazen for collecting and sending so many of these links.)
Also, for a complete overview on how to do networking once you've chosen your niche, check out "It's Who You Know: The Ultimate Networking Kit."
Lists of Lists: Trade Groups & Trade Shows
- Wikipedia's List of US Trade Groups
- Trade Show Calendar
- http://www.buzgate.org/8.0/ma/fh_trade.html
- International Trade Shows http://10times.com/tradeshows
- Events in America
- List of Marketing Associations
- Another list of trade and professional marketing groups
Advertising/Communications/Marketing/Media
- American Advertising Federation
- American Marketing Association
- Association of Business Communication
- Association of National Advertisers
- Business Marketing Association
- Canadian Marketing Association
- CMO Council
- The Creative Ham
- European Assoc. of Communication Agencies
- International Association of Business Communicators
- National Association of Broadcasters
- Marketing and PR Sources On-line
- Society for Technical Communication
- SoDA The Digital Society
- The Interactive Advertising Bureau
- The Association for Women in Communications
Animal & Pet-Related
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums
- American Pet Products Association
- American Kennel Club: Dog Therapy Organizations
- Global Pet Expo
- National Wildlife Federation
- Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada
- Sea Turtle Conservancy
- World Association of Zoos & Aquariums
- Zoo Chat Forums
- SuperZoo Trade Show
Architect/Engineering/Construction Firms
- American Institute of Architects www.aia.org
- U.S. Green Building Council www.usgbc.org
- Industrial Designers Society of America www.idsa.org
- Architectural Engineering Mgmt. Assoc. www.aema.biz
- Boston Architecture Firm-Directory www.architects.org/directories
- Boston Architects-Events www.architects.org/news
- American Society of Architectural Illustrators
- Society for Marketing Professional Services
- TexoAssociation.com
- World-Architects
Arts & Culture/Museums
- American Alliance of Museums
- American Association of Museums
- American Craft Council
- Association of Children's Museums
- Association of Authors’ Representatives Inc
- Association of Professional Art Advisors
- Association of Talent Agents
- Art Consultants Canada
- Art Dealers of America
- Dramatists Guild of America
- Florida Association of Museums
- International Society for the Preforming Arts
- MuseumsUSA.org
- The Broadway League
- MuseumMarket.com
- University & College Art Galleries Association of Canada
Associations
Automotive
- American International Automobile Dealers
- National Automobile Dealers Association
- Recreation Vehicle Industry Association
Beauty & Personal Care
- Professional Beauty Association
- International Beauty Show
- Global Cosmetic Industry
- National Latino Cosmetology Association
Beverage
-
American Beverage Association
- Brewers Association
- National Coffee Association
- National Alcohol Beverage Control Association
- Tea Association of the USA, Inc
- The Drinks Report
Business
- US Chamber of Commerce http://www.uschamber.com/
- BCNY: Business Council of NY http://www.bcnys.org/
- Chamber Alliance of NYS http://www.canys.org/
- American Chamber of Commerce Execs http://www.acce.org/
- Mass. Trade Associations (+National too) www.buzgate.org/
- Women in Consulting www.womeninconsulting.org/
- Institute of Management Consultants http://www.imcusa.org/
- Association of Image Consultants International
- BNI America
- International Council for Small Business
- International Virtual Assistants Association
- Latin Business Association
- National Association of Professional Organizers
- National Hispanic Business Group
- Project Management Institute
- The Conference Board
- United States Association for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
- US Small Business Association
- The National Business Incubation Association
- NAACP
- American Translators Association
- Coshare
- The League of Extraordinary Coworking Spaces
- Entrepreneurs Organization
- International Franchise Association
- Sales & Marketing Executives International
- MeetUp.com
- The International Association of Speakers Bureaus
- Toastmasters International
- National Association of Sales Professionals
- E-Women Network
- National Association for Female Executives
- National Association of Professional Women
- National Business Women’s Week
- The National Association of Women Business Owners
- Women’s Business Centers
- List of New Jersey Business Associations
Children's
- Children's Book Council http://www.cbcbooks.org/about/
- Children's Publishing Design Forum
- Society of Children's Book Authors and Illustrators
- American Specialty Toy Retailing Association www.toyassociation.org
- Women in Toys http://www.womenintoys.com
- Annual Toy Fair in New York
Coaching
Construction
Consumer
Cybersecurity
- List of cybersecurity associatons
Data
Design
- American Institute of Graphic Arts
- Graphic Artists Guild
- Graphic Designers of Canada
- HOW Design Live
- ICOGRADA
- International Contemporary Furniture Fair
- Spark Design Professionals
- Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario
- National Association of Schools of Art & Design
- Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design
- American Institute of Architects
- American Society of Architectural Illustrators
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- Industrial Designers Society of America
- Society for News Design
- Society of Illustrators
- The Type Directors Club
- Exhibit Design & Producers Assoc.
- Women Who Draw
- The Scout Guide
Entrepreneurs
- Women Entrepreneurs www.women2.org/entrepreneurship-book-swap/
- Nat'l Assoc. for Community College Entrepreneurship http://member.nacce.com
- Global Network of Entrepreneurs http://sv.tie.org
Events
- BizBash.com
- International Festivals & Events Association
- International Special Events Society
- Meeting Professionals International
- Convention Industry Council
- International Association of Exhibits & Events
- Exhibitor Online
Fashion
-
American Apparel & Footwear Association
- CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women)
- Fashion Group International
- Fashion Trade Shows www.apparelsearch.com/trade_show.htm
- StyleMax www.stylemaxonline.com/attend_show/
- Council of Fashion Designers of America
- National Council of Textile Orginizations
Finance
- Financial Planning Assoc. www.fpanet.org
- Financial Mgmt. Assoc. www.fma.org
- Assoc. for Financial Professionals www.afponline.org
- The Credit Union National Association
Fitness/Health
Food
- American Bakers Association
- American Culinary Federation
- Food Marketing Institute
- International Caterers Association
- National Association for Catering and Events
- National Grocers Association
- Plant-based Foods Association
- Restaurants Canada
- Council of State Restaurant Associations
- Directory of Food Associations (from Careersinfood.com)
- Independent Restaurant Marketing Association
- International Hotel & Restaurant Association
- National Restaurant Association
- Specialty Food Association (also Fancy Food Shows)
- Food Tech Connect
Gaming Industry
- American Gaming Association
- Global Gaming Expo
- Las Vegas Visitors & Visitors Authority
- National Indian Gaming Association
- Nevada Gaming & Hospitality Association
Green/Environmental/Solar & Renewable Energy
- Environmental Professional Associations
- US Green Building Council
- US Green Chamber of Commerce
- Green Chamber of the South
- Solar Power Events
- Smart Electric Power Alliance
- Sustainable Fleet Technology
- NC Sustainable Energy Association
- Southface Energy Institute
- Sustain Charlotte
Greeting Cards/Crafts
- Greeting Card Association www.greetingcard.org
- Craft & Hobby Association-CHA www.craftandhobby.org
- Gift and Home Trade Association www.giftandhome.org
Healthcare
- List of Health Industry Associations
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Association of Healthcare Resource & Materials Management
- Digital Health Summit
- Healthcare Informatics
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
- Healthcare PR and Marketing Association
- Healthcare Financial Management Association
- Medical Equipment & Technology Association
- Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development
- Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (list of associations)
- http://www.medicalspaassociation.org
- List of LinkedIn Healthcare Groups
Higher Education (Universities & Colleges)
- CASE.org: Council on Advancement & Support of Education
- Assoc. of American Universities www.aau.edu
- Nat'l Assoc.of College & University Business Officers www.nacubo.org
- American Assoc. for Higher Education www.aahea.org
- American Distance Education Consortium www.adec.edu
- www.educationmarketplace.com/browseall.php?cid=20001
Horticulture & Floriculture
- American Horticulture Society
- American Institute of Floral Designers
- AmericanHort
- Society of American Florists
Hospitality and Hotels
- List of Hospitality-related Associations
- Calgary Hotel Association
- Hotel Association of NYC
- Las Vegas Hospitality Association
- American Bed & Breakfast Association
- Professional Association of Innkeepers International
- Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
HR
Insurance
IT & Tech
- CompTIA
- NYTechMeetup
- NJ Tech Meetup
- Girl Develop It
- Girls in Tech
- National Centre for Women & Information Technology
- Software & Information Industry Association
- Women in Technology International
- Boston Interactive Media Association
- SAAS1000: Top 1000 SaaS Companies (Software as a Service)
Jewelry
Law/Legal
- Legal Marketing Association
- Boston Patent Law Assoc. www.bpla.org
- Internat'l Lawyers Network www.iln.com
- www.bostonbar.org
- www.womensbar.org
- Mass. Assoc. of Women Lawyers mawl.org
- HG.org, Worldwide Legal Directors. http://www.hg.org/bar-associations-massachusetts.asp
Library
Luxury
- Luxury Home Marketing (real estate)
- LuxePack (packaging)
- Luxury Society
Manufacturing
Media
- American Film Institute
- American Film Market
- Association of Public Television Stations
- Digital Media Institute
- Directors Guild of America
- International Documentary Association
- North American Broadcasters Association
- Society of Professional Journalists
- Association of Magazine Media
- Newspaper Association of America
- Women in Film
- Women in Film and Television International
Medical
- American Chiropractic Association
- American Counseling Association
- American Dental Association
- American Message Therapy Association
- American Medical Association
- American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
- American Nurse Association
- American Nutrition Association
- American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
- American Optometric Association
- American Pharmacist Association
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Society for Nutrition
- National Association of Social Workers
- Association of Independent Research Institutes
- Association of Medical Illustrators
Natural Resource Management (clean tech)
- http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byB/trade/trade.shtml
- http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byB/trade/byN/byName.shtml
- http://www.cleantech.com/
- http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org/
- http://www.iisd.org/natres/
- http://web.worldbank.org
Non-profits and Foundations
- Directory of Top Private Foundations (Foundation Center)
- Foundation Directory Online
- www.Guidestar.org
- Association of Fundraising Professionals
- Association of Consultants to Non Profits
- National Council of Non Profits
- Council of Foundations
- Great Non Profits
- NY Council of Non Profits
- Maryland Nonprofits
- Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations
- Independent Sector
- Non Profit Technology Network (Nten.org)
- Non Profit Association of Oregon
- Washington (state) Non Profits
Office
Outdoor Industry
- www.outdoorretailer.com
- www.americaoutdoors.org
- www.sportsonesource.com/news/boss/boss_main.asp
- www.outdoorfoundation.org
- www.snewsnet.com/
- www.gravitydex.com
- www.directoryoutdoor.com
Photography
- American Photography Association
- American Photographic Artists
- APA Editorial Photographers
- Artistic Guild of the WPJA
- National Press Photographers
- Professional Photographers of America
- Wedding and Portrait Photographers International
- Wedding Photojournalist Association
- American Society of Media Photgraphers
Professional services
- Directory of Professionals
- Legal Marketing Association
- Society for Marketing Professional Services
- Society of Professional Consultants (and their member directory!)
Publications
- Advertising Age http://adage.com/
- AdWeek www.adweek.com
- Crain's Detroit Business www.crainsdetroit.com/
- Photo District News www.pdnonline.com/
- Florida Magazine Association www.floridamagazine.org/
- BNP Media www.bnpmedia.com/
- Association of Magazine Media
- Newspaper Association of America
Publishing
- AAP: Assoc. of American Publishers http://www.publishers.org/
- Book Industry Study Group
- Digital Book World
- IBPA: Independent Book Pub Assoc https://www.ibpa-online.org/
- www.publishingcentral.com
- Association of Educational Publishers www.aepweb.org
Real Estate
- Commercial Real Estate Development Association
- National Association of Realtors
- Real Estate Staging Association
- Bisnow
Retail/Merchandising
- Cosmetics www.icmad.org
- Cosmetic Industry Buyers and Suppliers www.cibsonline.com
- Groceries www.nationalgrocers.org
- Int'l Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Assoc. http://www.licensing.org/
- New Jersey Packaging Executives Club www.njpec.com
- National Association of College Stores
- National Retail Federation
- National Shoe Retailers Association
- Dallas/Fort Worth Retail Executives Assoc.
- Museum Store Association
- Retail Design Institute
- RetailEnvironments.org
- International Council of Shopping Centers
- Retail Leaders Industry Assoc.
- Visual Merchandising & Store Design (and their list of associations)
Retirement
Science and STEM
Start Ups
Technology (see IT & Tech above also)
- Consumer Technology Association
- Silicon Valley American Marketing Association http://www.svama.org/
- Technology Assoc. of Georgia http://www.tagonline.org/
- Sports Technology News http://www.sporttechie.com/
- Electronic Components Industry Association
- Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange
Telecom
Travel
- American Society of Travel Agents
- U.S. Travel Association
- United States Tour Operators Association
- National Business Aviation Association
- Tourism Industry Coalition (New York State)
Veterinary
Wedding
- American Association of Certified Wedding Planners
- Association of Bridal Consultants
- Wedding Industry Professionals Association
Wine
- http://www.winesandvines.com
- http://www.womenforwinesense.org/
- Women of the Vine
- http://www.wineinstitute.org/
- http://www.napavintners.com/about/
- http://www.lvwine.org/winegrowers.php
- http://www.cawg.org/
- North American Sommelier Association
- The National Association of American Wineries
- Vin Italy
Women
- The Association for Women in Communications
- http://www.womenforwinesense.org/
- Women of the Vine
- Women in Film and Television International
- www.womensbar.org
- Mass. Assoc. of Women Lawyers mawl.org
- National Centre for Women & Information Technology
- Women in Technology International
- CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women)
- Women Who Draw
- Women in Toys http://www.womenintoys.com
- E-Women Network
- National Association for Female Executives
- National Association of Professional Women
- National Business Women’s Week
- The National Association of Women Business Owners
- Women’s Business Centers
- Women in Consulting www.womeninconsulting.org/
Writers