TAF Membership

Why Join TAF?

Joining TAF

Membership is open to any UK-based trade association

The Trade Association Forum is the only organisation of its kind and we have Government support as the first choice organisation to deal with trade associations. Our supporting department is the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). We are the ‘association of associations’ and we are here to provide you and your team with similar support to that which you provide to your members. 

Membership is open to any trade association based in the UK, all of which have many similar challenges in common in terms of their operational activities.

Our range of services and activities are designed to assist you in the strategic development and day-to-day running of your organisation and we work hard to promote the excellent contribution that associations make to Government, industry and the wider public.

Chair of the Trade Association Forum, Managing Director at RHA

Richard Smith

TAF provides an invaluable forum to share ideas and best practice with leading trade associations from across the economy, helping them to maintain value and relevance for their members. As TAF expands its role further, it also provides a voice for the 190,000 businesses represented by its members, helping to strengthen their asks of policymakers and influencers on the challenges they share

TAF Board Member and Senior Membership Manager, PAGB

Donna Rickaby

Being a member of the Association of Associations has been invaluable. Joining forces with other forward-thinking trade associations has provided me with a unique platform for networking with industry leaders, sharing best practices, and staying updated with the latest trends. The annual conference, in particular, offers an incredible opportunity to exchange best practices with other trade associations, industry specialists, and suppliers. Membership of TAF has truly enriched my professional journey.

TAF Board Member and Director of Marketing and Communications, National Association of Jewellers

Ben Massey

We have aspirations to be a 'best in breed' trade association, and TAF is an essential network for us to learn from others how to get there. The TAF network gives you peace of mind that you're doing things right but also gives you strategies and ideas to do things better.

TAF Board Member and CEO, British Compressed Gases Association

Ellen Daniels

As a small association, we've found the advice and support from TAF invaluable. Whether it's guidance on governance or the many networking opportunities, TAF has a wealth of knowledge on trade associations and is the go to for anyone looking for information on associations in the UK.

Ex TAF Chair and Senior Consultant, Pragmatix Advisory

Richard Lambert

The Trade Association Forum was invaluable to me in my early years as an association Chief Executive, and has continued to be so. Over the years, it's proved to be a steady source of new ideas and best practice, as well as giving the opportunity to learn from my peers and share my own thoughts with them.

Joining TAF can help you with:

Member retention and acquisition

TAF offers a range of services, support and advice to help your association be best in class, delivering real value to members and driving retention

Staff retention and recruitment

We offer events, training, networking and other benefits that you can offer your staff as part of your package, benchmarking to set your remuneration and learning and development opportunities for all staff

Saving money and generating revenue

We have a range of member benefits that offer great deals on services commonly procured by associations, as well as free services and opportunities to generate revenue

Building your network

Networking is a key part of our offer, we help association leaders meet and learn from each other through in-person events and a members-only community where you can ask questions and discuss issues

What you get with TAF membership:

Best Practice

Access to resources and free events on best practice for TAs, as well as a member-only resource library.

Events and networking

We run free events for members throughout the year and offer preferential pricing to paid-for events

Expert Network

Get free advice from leading experts to the association sector

Special Interest Groups

Join one of our SIGs to support your development and build your network

Benchmarking

Access to archive of sector benchmarking research to help inform how to manage your association

Association directory

Free listing in our trade association directory - a popular resource for people looking for information about sectors

Online Community

Build your network, ask questions to your peers and crowdsource information from the UK's only network of trade association professionals

Legal Hub

TAF's very own legal portal: one place for all your legal services.

Jobs Board

Post your vacancies on the TAF jobs board for free and have them promoted across our social channels.

TAF Marketplace

Extend you member offer with services and diversify your revenue

Exclusive deals and offers

Get access to a range of exclusive offers and services at discounted rates or completely free as part of your membership

Approved Suppliers

Preferential deals with leading suppliers to associations, helping you deliver great services to your members at the best possible prices.

Find out more on in our membership brochure

Download the TAF 2024/25 Prospective Member Brochure here.

Fees and how to join

TAF member subscriptions are based on the number of (full time equivalent) staff working for the organisation as shown in the table below. 

We run a lean operation and are focused on delivering real value to our members – we are confident that any sized association will receive value significantly in excess of our membership fees.

Our subscription year runs from 1st April to 31st March, if you sign up during the year we will pro-rata your subscription fee until the next renewal point.

Join TAF today!

If you would like to discuss joining TAF or have any questions, then please get in touch.

If you would like to join, the first step is filling out our online membership application form:

Apply to join TAF