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When looking for information for your new business, the very first place to start is with an association serving your industry or related industries. No matter what industry, trade, or profession you’re in, there’s almost certainly at least one association covering yours. Why? Because there are over 37,000 industry and professional associations in the United States!

You’ll find industry, trade, or professional associations to be a highly valuable source of information. Most associations conduct research or collect data on trends of their industry. They monitor market size and demographics, costs, regulation, and a variety of other issues specific to their industry.

Typically, suppliers to an industry also often participate in that industry’s associations. They’ll exhibit at trade shows and be listed on the association’s website or other directories. That makes your industry association an easy place to locate suppliers.

Most important, associations exist to help promote, train, and certify people in that industry. They’ll hold trade shows, seminars, conventions, provide coursework, and offer joint marketing opportunities.

Let’s say, for instance, you’re thinking about starting a dog grooming business. You’re going to want information about suppliers, costs, training, certification, marketing, and as much other information as you can get your paws on. A number of organizations exist to help pet groomers.