Three Ts That Are Important for Becoming Active in an Industry: Trade Associations, Trade Shows, and Trade Journals

1. Pick an industry in which you have an interest. Make a list of the premier trade associations, trade shows, and trade journals associated with the industry.

2. How can an entrepreneur assess whether offering to serve in a leadership capacity in a trade association, on a volunteer basis, will be worth the time and effort? Establish a set of criteria that you would follow if making this type of decision.

3. Spend some time looking at the Web site of the Organic Trade Association. Make a list of networking opportunities made available via membership in this organization.

4. What are the risks involved with networking? For example, are there risks involved with sharing information with industry participants about how your firm competes? How can a company strike the right balance between giving out enough information about itself to attract the attention of potential partners without divulging too much proprietary information?