Trade and Professional Marketing Associations and Groups

Below KnowThis.com presents links to sites of the top professional association for a number of marketing areas. For more groups see Academic Marketing Associations and Groups.

General Marketing

• American Marketing Association *Leading professional society for those with interest in the practice, study and teaching of marketing.
• The Chartered Institute of Marketing *UK-based marketing association with strong emphasis on training and professional accreditation.
• CMO Council *Aimed at the chief marketing officer, this association has a heavy Internet/technology leaning. The site does have market reports, white papers and a newsletter that may be accessible to non-members.
• The Marketing Institute *A professional trade organization in Ireland.

Advertising & Promotion

• Advertising Research Foundation *Association that provides resources aimed at helping to create more effective marketing and advertising communications.
• American Association of Advertising Agencies *Trade organization representing the advertising agency business.
• Association of National Advertisers *This appears to be a fairly exclusive group whose membership consists of mostly large brand marketers who spend big money advertising on a national and international level.
• Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau *Trade group site has information, research reports and other materials related to advertising on cable television.
• Council of Public Relations Firms *Trade organization mostly for PR firms (as opposed to freelancers). Site includes firm rankings, career resources and directory for locating members.
• Direct Marketing Association *Leading professional association for direct marketers.
• Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association *Supports the interests of mailing service companies.
• National Mail Order Association *Focuses on support for small and mid-size mail marketers.
• Path to Purchase Institute *Focus is mostly on marketing promotions within retail stores.
• Promotion Marketing Association *Trade group that mostly focuses on consumer and trade promotions. Home of the annual Reggie Awards for top promotions.
• Promotional Products Association International *Industry group focusing on the use of products to aid promotional objectives.
• Public Relations Society of America *Society for those engaged in PR activities.

Customer-Focused Marketing

• American Teleservices Association *Trade group that is focused mostly on the telemarketing industry.
• Word of Mouth Marketing Association *Supports those using referral methods to achieve marketing objectives.

Internet Marketing

• Digital Analytics Association *Newer group that looks to make sense out of data gathered through website traffic reports.
• Interactive Advertising Bureau *Not-for-profit trade association focusing on advertising issues across all interactive formats.
• Mobile Marketing Association *Focus of this group is on marketing via wireless means including advertising and SMS messaging through cell phones and PDAs.
• Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization *Professional group site that is dedicated to improving the understanding of search engine marketing.

Marketing Research

• Council of American Survey Research Organizations *Trade group whose mission is to improve the ethics and practice of survey research.
• Marketing Research Association *US-based organization dedicated to promoting excellence in marketing and opinion research. Offers news/event information, links to leading research firms and more.
• Marketing Research and Intelligence Association *Canadian-based group with comprehensive site direct towards marketing, advertising, social and political researchers.
• The Marketing Research Society *UK group which claims "largest professional body for individuals employed in market research."
• Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals *This association's site includes FAQs about CI, job opportunities, chapter listings and educational options.

Product Issues

• Corporate Design Foundation *An association that believes and teaches that organizational interests can be served through the effective use of design disciplines.
• Product Development & Management Association *Trade and academic group whose mission includes improving "the effectiveness of people engaged in developing and managing new products - both new manufactured goods and new services."
• Usability Professional's Association *This professional association site has good information for those involved in online and offline product design including coverage of the usability concept, links to guidelines and methods, and conference information.

Retailing

• American Association of Franchisees and Dealers *Site contains information about owning a franchise, rights of franchise owners and other materials for those thinking of buying a franchise.
• International Franchise Association *Mission "is to enhance and to safeguard the business environment for franchisees and franchisors worldwide."
• National Retail Federation *This site from the leading retail trade group is well stocked with information for those interested in traditional retailing and includes a supplier guide, listing of state, retail associations and other information. Is also home to several other trade groups including Shop.org, a trade association for Internet retailers and e-tailers, and Retail Advertising & Marketing Association, a group that focuses on marketing and promotion issues at the retail level.
• Point of Purchase Advertising International *An international trade group that focuses on sales promotion and other marketing techniques within the retail environment.

Sales & Sales Management

• Center for Exhibition Industry Research *The main benefit offered by this group is the wide range of fee-based research reports available to both members (cheaper) and non-members covering many industries.
• National Association of Sales Professionals *Relatively new group that is pushing for salesperson certification.
• Society of Incentive and Travel Executives *Association for those in the incentive industry.
• Trade Show Exhibitors Association *Association for "professionals who use exhibits to promote and sell their products". While members get access to special services, there are many free areas including a nice exhibits tips section, career area, buyer's guide and more.

Others

• Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International *Association of travel sales and marketing professionals in industries such as hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise lines, car rental agencies, theme parks and attractions.
• The Information Technology Industry Council *A society of US providers of information technology products and services.
• International Newspaper Marketing Association *An association for the advancement of newspaper marketing activities. Includes a nice research section that offers case studies and links to international newspapers and to newspaper associations.
• Professional Pricing Society *This is a society that provides tips on establishing a pricing strategy. Intended for "both pricing professionals and executives seeking solutions to their pricing challenges."
• Society for Marketing Professional Services *While the name sounds like it covers a lot of ground, this trade group appears to limit its coverage to those interested in marketing issues related to architects, engineers and contractors.

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