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 . Through collaboration between companies within a sector , a trade association participates in 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, 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. (FEC: Solicitable Class of Trade Association). Many associations are non-profit organizations governed by bylaws and directed by officers who are also members. ( Library of Congress ).
20-514: American Financial Services Association (AFSA) is a trade association for the U.S. consumer credit industry headquartered in Washington, D.C. AFSA’s 450 members include consumer and commercial finance companies, vehicle finance/leasing companies, mortgage lenders, credit card issuers, industrial banks and industry suppliers. AFSA is a founding member of Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics . Bill Himpler currently serves as
40-566: A bill that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to modify the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure rule, which regulates oil discharges into navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. The rule requires certain farmers to develop an oil spill prevention plan that is certified by a professional engineer and may require them to make infrastructure changes. According to supporters,
60-543: A history of funding and promoting research and content that downplays the link between animal agriculture and climate change. In 2021, the NCBA made false claims about the impact of beef consumption on climate change. The NCBA has disputed that the beef industry contributes to climate change and has even claimed that the beef industry has a beneficial impact on climate change. The NCBA has lobbied against climate and environmental regulations. National Cattlemen's Beef Association
80-904: A market. In September 2007, the German trade association for Fachverband Verbindungs- und Befestigungstechnik (VBT) and five fastener companies were fined 303 million euros by the European Commission for operating cartels in the markets for fasteners and attaching machines in Europe and worldwide. In one of the cartels, the YKK Group , Coats plc , the Prym group, the Scovill group, A. Raymond, and Berning & Söhne "agreed [...] on coordinated price increases in annual 'price rounds' with respect to 'other fasteners' and their attaching machines, in
100-592: A role in social dialogue . One of the primary purposes of trade groups, particularly in the United States, is to attempt to influence public policy in a direction favorable to the group's members. It can take the form of contributions to the campaigns of political candidates and parties through political action committees (PACs); contributions to "issue" campaigns not tied to a candidate or party; and lobbying legislators to support or oppose particular legislation. In addition, trade groups attempt to influence
120-500: A specific corporate product, such as a specific brand of cheese or toilet paper, industry trade groups advertisements generally are targeted to promote the views of an entire industry. These ads mention only the industry's products as a whole, painting them in a positive light in order to have the public form positive associations with that industry and its products. For example, in the US the advertising campaign "Beef. It's what's for dinner"
140-471: A trade association in the first place. Examples of larger trade associations that publish a comprehensive range of media include European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Industry trade groups sometimes produce advertisements, just as normal corporations do. However, whereas typical advertisements are for
160-471: Is funded by membership dues and sponsorships. NCBA also serves as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff on a cost recovery basis. The Beef Checkoff program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $ 1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. The checkoff assessment became mandatory when
180-847: Is used by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to promote a positive image of beef in the public consciousness. These are adverts targeted at specific issues. For example, in the US in the early 2000s the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) began running advertisements before films that advocate against movie piracy over the Internet. Trade associations have faced frequent criticism due to allegations that they operate not as profit-making organizations, but rather as fronts for cartels involved in anti-competitive practices . Critics contend that these associations engage in activities such as price-fixing ,
200-431: The government 's approach to consulting business associations has been noted by the European Commission as a good practice example. Almost all trade associations are heavily involved in publishing activities in print and online. The main media published by trade associations are as follows: The opportunity to be promoted in such media (whether by editorial or advertising) is often an important reason why companies join
220-763: The President & CEO. The association was founded in 1916 as the American Association of Small Loan Brokers. The group was formed to promote state laws that would make small loans more readily available to average Americans, who had few options at the time to receive small personal loans. The association changed names several times throughout the years before its merger in 1971 with the American Industrial Bankers Association, an organization of industrial banks, thrift and loan companies, and sales finance companies. By 1983,
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#1732776232478240-712: The United States, outlined the potentially anti-competitive nature of some trade association activity in a speech to the American Bar Association in Washington, DC , in March 2005 called "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Trade Associations and Antitrust ". For instance, he said that under the guise of "standard setting", trade associations representing the established players in an industry can set rules that make it harder for new companies to enter
260-509: The activities of regulatory bodies . In the United States, direct contributions by PACs to candidates are required to be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission or state and local election overseers; are considered public information; and have registration requirements for lobbyists (FEC: Lobbyist). Even so, it can sometimes be difficult to trace the funding for issue and non-electoral campaigns. In Slovenia ,
280-505: The association’s members included diversified financial services firms and consumer credit subsidiaries of retailing firms, prompting another name change to the American Financial Services Association, which it is still known as today. The AFSA Education Foundation (AFSAEF) is a non-profit AFSA affiliate with the mission to help consumers realize the benefits of responsible money management, understand
300-414: The ballet Rodeo by Aaron Copland is used in the radio and television commercials. On January 21, 2008, Matthew McConaughey became the spokesman of the organization, having taken over from Sam Elliott and the late Jim Davis and Robert Mitchum . The Dinner ad replaced Beef. Real food for real people. James Garner was spokesman until he underwent quintuple heart bypass surgery. The NCBA has
320-489: The bill would "ease the burden placed on farmers and ranchers" by making it easier for smaller farms to self-certify and raising the level of storage capacity under which farms are exempted. National Cattlemen's Beef Association's president said that they were "pleased" that the "bill will keep many of our producers from having to undertake excess costs as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency 's overregulation." In 2013, National Cattlemen's Beef Association supported
340-477: The creation and maintenance of barriers to entry in the industry, and other subtle self-serving actions that are detrimental to the public interest. These criticisms raise concerns about the true nature and intentions of trade associations, questioning their commitment to fair competition and the welfare of the broader economy. Jon Leibowitz , a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission in
360-452: The credit process and seek help if credit problems occur. AFSAEF offers a number of free publications for consumers on topics from holiday spending to vehicle financing. MoneySKILL is a free online personal finance course for high school students on money management fundamentals. Industry trade group In countries with a social market economy , the role of trade associations is often taken by employers' organizations , which also take
380-406: The framework of work circles organised by VBT". National Cattlemen%27s Beef Association National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is an American trade association and lobbying group working for American beef producers. National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the group responsible for the ad campaign run in the U.S. using the slogan " Beef. It's What's For Dinner " . Music from
400-709: The program was approved by 79 percent of producers in a 1988 national referendum vote. It hosts the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show, the Cattle Industry Summer business Meeting, and multiple other events throughout the year. NCBA also producers the television show Cattlemen to Cattlemen . National Cattlemen's Beef Association supported the Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act ,
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