Trade Associations are voluntary association of business firms primarily engaged in promoting the business interests of their members. These associations are usually based a geographic or industrial basis to promote and develop commercial and industrial opportunities, to voice publicly the views of members on matters of common interest including credit, public relations, relations with employees, sales development, output, or exercising some measure of control over prices, output, and channels of distribution. The trade association differs from the loyal Chamber of Commerce in that membership is by industry rather than by locality. Associations publish official journals, and some maintain bureaus at the national and state capitals.

One of the primary purposes of trade groups is to attempt to influence public policy in a direction favorable to the group's members. This can take the form of contributions to the campaigns of political candidates and parties through Political Action Committees; 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 the activities of regulatory bodies. Trade associations whose principal purpose is lobbying must register and report as compensated lobbyists. Members of those associations must register and report as employer lobbyists if the principal purpose of the trade association is lobbying and more than $500 of their individual annual dues is used for lobbying activities

By banding together, the trade association members are able to provide services normally only available to large corporations. Based on the principle that there is strength in numbers, trade associations provide the critical mass that some small businesses need to survive. Associations may conduct research on new products and services; develop market statistics; sponsor quality and certification standards.

Industry trade association's produce advertising just like corporations do. The difference is that the typical advertisements are for a specific corporate product. Industry trade groups advertisements are targeted to promote the views of an entire industry. Campaigns like the "Idaho Potato" promote a product, the potato, for all potato growers in Idaho. These ads are vague and mention only the industry 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

Trade Associations run the gambit of business and industry. Examples of trade associations from the US Census Department are: Agricultural organizations, Animal breeders' associations, Bankers' associations, Construction associations, Contractors' associations, Distributors' associations, Farmers' associations, Farmers' unions, Growers' associations, Hospital associations, Industrial associations, Insurers' associations, Manufacturers' associations, Merchants' associations, Mining associations, Producers' associations, Public utility associations, Real estate boards, Restaurant associations, Retailers' associations, Service industries associations, Shipping companies' associations, Warehousing associations, Wholesalers' associations. These are just a small slice of varied industries and businesses represented by trade associations.