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Trade Associations can be very useful. Membership has a number of benefits: keeping up with trends in the marketplace, legal helpline, help and advice, being informed about the latest technology and more. Fees are often on a sliding scale, depending on a number of factors, such as how long you have been in business or how big a company you are. Weigh up the cost of membership and work out if the benefits obtained are worth it.

The Giftware Association	www.ga-uk.org
	The premier association for the Giftware Industry. They offer numerous benefits: deposit design scheme, creditwatch, a trading standards helpline, credit card processing, legal advice and online trading help.

British Jewellery and Giftware Federation	www.bjgf.org.uk
	Member benefits include exhibitions, missions, budget promotions, free worldwide publicity, seminars and training, market information, overseas VAT reclaims, debt recovery, international freight services, newsletter and export opportunities.
Help, advice and access to over £500,000 of government funding.

Greeting Card Association	www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk/
	The GCA is the trade association for the greeting card publishers. It provides help, support, advice,as well as a wide range of benefits for its members: specialist help and advice, a legal help line, discounts on essential services and alliances with other organisations.

British Contract Furnishings Associ	www.thebcfa.com/

Teg	www.teg.co.uk/tradeass.htm
	Lists the jewellery and giftware associations in the UK

British Hardware and Housewares Manufacturers Association	www.bhhma.com
	With direct contact with government and members customers, both at home and overseas, the BHHMA mission is - to represent our members interests and contribute to their commercial success

British Toy and Hobby Association	www.btha.co.uk
	The BTHA was founded in 1944 to represent the interests of British toy manufacturers and to raise standards of practice in the industry. Today, the Association has 148 members who, between them, are responsible for over 95% of the British market for toys and games, valued at £2.1 bn. The BTHA also organises the Toy Fair at ExCeL, London.

Focal Point	www.focalpointuk.com
	A private company which provides special areas for stands within exhbitions. Notably they have a large section at the Spring Fair each year. They select exhibitors on the basis of good design, innovation and originality.

British Promotional Merchandise Association	www.bpma.co.uk
	For members, they help: generate new business, manage business costs and performance and have news advice and guidance. They also list their members on the website and one can search for a promotional product.

British Furniture Confederation	www.britishfurnitureconfederation.or
	Represent the furniture and bed industry.
They have their own forum for members to discuss issues.