Commerce & Trade

Resources related to international trade issues, including organizations that promote business opportunities in the United States and abroad.

Resources in this category:

American Business Media
http://www.americanbusinessmedia.com/abm/Default.asp

Founded in 1906, American Business Media is the association for business-to-business information providers, including producers of print publications, websites, trade shows and other media.

American Film Marketing Association
http://www.afma.com/

AFMA is a nonprofit association representing the Independent Motion Picture and Television Industry Worldwide. The site contains information on membership, including a membership directory, world trade issues in this industry, publications for sale, arbitration they are involved in, and links to other sites.

American Wholesale Marketers Association
http://www.awmanet.org/

"The American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) is a non-profit, national trade association serving more than 3,000 companies involved in the distribution, manufacture and retail sale of convenience products. Members consist of wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, brokers and others involved in the convenience products industry. From maker to market, the association has benefits and services to fill every channel member's needs." This site provides links to information regarding benefits and member services, publications and products, peer resource networking, legislation and regulations, conference registration, education and research, and seminars.

Art Dealers Association of America
http://www.artdealers.org/

A non-profit association whose members include the nation's leading art dealers. "Its purposes are to promote the highest standards of connoisseurship, scholarship, and ethical practice within the profession" and to increase public awareness of the role of reputable art dealers. This comprehensive site provides links to member galleries, specialties, and exhibitions. It links to information about the association's annual benefit, "The Art Show", and to transcripts from the yearly held "Panels", a discussion of issues important in the art world. Excerpts from the newsletter, the "ADAA Report" and a list of museums are also available.

Automotive Parts and Accessories Association
http://www.aftermarket.org/Home.asp

"Founded in 1967, APAA remains the only automotive aftermarket trade association with a mission to stimulate and expand business both domestically and internationally for all segments of the aftermarket--retailers, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, distributors and others who manufacture and market aftermarket products." Different sections of the site are available for information most pertinent to members, the press, consumers, and the general public. "We wanted to provide our 1400+ retailers, manufacturers and manufacturers' reps with the latest developments in the automotive aftermarket. The site includes updates of AutoPoint, press releases, market research statistics, newsletters and testimony. We also wanted to locate and deliver through our site, key items of interest to the aftermarket industry including links to federal agencies, current exchange rates, international trade and news, travel advisories and much more!"

Business Software Alliance
http://www.bsa.org/

"Since 1988, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) has been the voice of the world's leading software developers before governments and with consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fights software piracy."

Center for the Study of American Business
http://csab.wustl.edu/

"The Center for the Study of American Business was established at Washington University in St. Louis in January 1975. Its mission is: 'To improve public understanding of the private enterprise system in a global context, thereby fostering a public policy environment in which the U.S. market economy can prosper.' In the intervening years, the Center's research has been recognized nationwide as a quality product in the 'marketplace of ideas.' Its findings reach a wide audience of influential individuals in business, government, academia, and the national media."

Chambers of Commerce & Industry
http://www.adminet.com/world/cci/

"For centuries, Chambers of Commerce have been actively developing commercial and industrial opportunities around the world." This site provides links to Chamber of Commerce offices throughout the world.

Federation of International Trade Associations
http://www.fita.org/

The Federation of International Trade Associations is an organization made up of 300 international trade associations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. From this site you can reach members of hundreds of associations, access the FITA job bank for all types of international jobs, see a calendar of international trade events, and access links to over 1000 international trade sites.

International Chamber of Commerce
http://www.iccwbo.org/

"The International Chamber of Commerce serves world business by promoting trade and investment and the free market system. Founded in 1919, the ICC is a non-governmental organization of thousands of companies and business associations in more than 140 countries. ICC national committees in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific and Africa present ICC views to their governments and alert Paris headquarters to national business concerns." This site provides general information about the ICC, its services, committees, members, and publications.

International Map Trade Association
http://www.maptrade.org/

"The International Map Trade Association (IMTA) is an organization of publishers, manufacturers, retailers and distributors of maps and related products from around the world. IMTA holds conferences and trade shows devoted to these products, publishes a newsletter, The Map Report, and provides other member services. This site offers information on association services and activities, and a directory of specialty map retailers around the world."

Manufacturers' Agents National Association
http://www.manaonline.org/

"Nonprofit trade organization for independent manufacturers' sales agencies and the manufacturers they represent. Covers all products and industries. Web site includes news on legislation and other issues affecting manufacturers' reps, links to members, classified ads, bulletin board with live chat, membership application, information on the organization."

National Foreign Trade Council
http://www.nftc.org/default.asp?Mode=DirectoryDisplay&id=1&C...

"The NFTC was founded in 1914 by a group of U.S. industrial companies engaged in international trade and investment. From that date to the present, the Council has been a leading spokesman on behalf of the private sector for an open international trade and investment regime embodied in international agreements such as the GATT. The NFTC is the only broadly based trade association dealing exclusively with U.S. public policy affecting international trade and investment." This site provides information about the organization, its members, and objectives.

National Mail Order Association
http://www.nmoa.org/

"The National Mail Order Association is a 27 year old organization that provides education, information and contacts to the direct marketing industry. It's main focus is helping small to midsize companies." Website includes an information library, a newsletter, new product listings, membership information, and a 'members only' section.

Organization of Woman In International Trade
http://www.owit.org/en/Home/

The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) is "a non-profit professional organization designed to promote women doing business in international trade by providing networking and educational opportunities. Our members include women and men doing business in all facets of international trade including finance, public relations, government, freight forwarding, international law, agriculture, sales and marketing, import/export, logistics, and transportation." There's information here about conferences, events, chapters in the U.S. and around the world as well as a job bank.

Poland Business Association
http://www.masterpage.com.pl/

"Providing business, cultural and tourist information for Poland, the Poland Business Association offers assistance to anyone interested in Poland." Site includes "news, trade leads, buyer's guide and telephone book, articles by important business leaders and politicians."

Promotional Products Association
http://www.ppa.org/default

"An international, non-profit trade association representing the promotional products industry. Site contains information on the association, ways to look up supplier and distributor members, information about services for members, a promotion clinic for people needing ideas, and soon an electronic trade show."

TRAFFIC
http://www.traffic.org/Home.action

"TRAFFIC aims to help ensure that wildlife trade is at sustainable levels and in accordance with domestic and international laws and agreements. This is achieved through the investigation, monitoring and reporting of such trade, particularly that which is detrimental to the survival of flora and fauna and that which is illegal. TRAFFIC shall be a source of accurate and objective information and advice, and shall provide a technical basis for the establishment of effective conservation policies and programmes for wildlife in trade. " The site provides news and information about the wildlife trade and TRAFFIC's efforts to monitor the trade and prevent abuses. The site also provides information about how private citizens can help in the achievement of TRAFFIC's goals.

United States Chamber of Commerce
http://www.uschamber.com/default

"The United States Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest federation of businesses, chambers of commerce, American chambers overseas and trade and professional associations, and is America's principal advocate for the American business community. Its more than 215,000 members represent a broad spectrum of the business community and share the Chamber's mission to "advance human progress through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative, opportunity and responsibility." This site provides information about the Chamber of Commerce, links to Training Education Programs and Publications, Business Programs and Services, Local/State Chambers of Commerce Relations, and Services and Programs for Associations.

The Wine Institute
http://www.wineinstitute.org/

The WINE INSTITUTE is the public policy advocacy association of California wineries, representing 450 wineries and related businesses. The site presents current events, regulatory activity, legislative advocacy, wine compliance information, and scientific research on wine.

World Customs Organization
http://www.wcoomd.org/

"World Customs Organization, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council, is an independent intergovernmental body with world-wide membership whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations." The site is available in English or French. The site has information about the organization and its publications, lists of conventions and recommendations, WCO events, and articles on various customs topics.

World Trade Organization
http://www.wto.org/

"The WTO is the only international body dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, the legal ground-rules for international commerce and for trade policy. The agreements have three main objectives: to help trade flow as freely as possible, to achieve further liberalization gradually through negotiation, and to set up an impartial means of settling disputes." The site is divided into a section on various trade topics--including good, services, development, and policy reviews--and a section on resources--such as documents on-line, legal texts, new releases, links, and downloadable files. The front page covers WTO news. This site can be accessed in English, French, or Spanish.