- CTNext is Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem, like an incubator helping entrepreneurs validate their ideas
- For entrepreneurs, CTNext has unique mentor programs, seminars and onsite workspaces
- CTNext is a support system that steps in with customized help right when entrepreneurs need it most
Connecticut Trade Associations
Connecticut Trade Associations
Trade organizations support and advocate for business owners in specific industries.
Connecticut Resource Organizations » Connecticut Trade Associations
- A trade association for marketing, advertising, and communications professionals in New England
- Focused on networking, education, professional development, advocacy, and diversity
- Hosts 30 events and programs every year
- Represents health care facilities providing long-term, subacute, rehabilitative, and assisted living services to residents
- Offers a range of business services and educational seminars
- Provides a portal for consumer information
- The state component of a national organization, with four additional regional offices located in Connecticut
- Represents those in new building construction, remodeling, or land development, as well as their affiliates
- Focuses on legislative advocacy, but also provides educational events and resources
- An organization supporting the banking industry in Connecticut
- Educational resources and cost-effective services available to members
- For bankers and those associated with the banking industry
- Represents home health and hospice providers
- Advocates on behalf of the industry on both the state and federal level
- Provides a range of resources for both members and consumers
- A chapter of a national trade association representing independent electrical contractors
- Offers a variety of professional development courses as well as an apprenticeship program
- Member benefits include shared services for labor, equipment, and referrals
- Represents both large and small insurers in Connecticut
- Advocates on issues affecting the insurance industry before all three branches of state government
- Members play a role in shaping the regulatory and legislative agenda
- Open to both residential and commercial roofers
- Offers educational and networking opportunities
- Hosts an annual trade show and provides access to technical and safety consultants
- Represents new vehicle dealerships in Connecticut
- Supports legislative advocacy and community
- Members receive access to educational seminars and other benefits
- State chapter of a national organization representing Merit Shop contractors
- Provides approximately 50 educational opportunities each year
- Several resources focus on workplace safety
- Advocates for independent insurance agencies of all sizes
- Offers a range of resources providing information on the industry
- Training opportunities and regular events
- The Connecticut chapter of the American Institution of Architects
- Promotes design excellence and high-quality architecture
- Offers resources, education opportunities, and networking and social events
- Represents hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Connecticut
- Works to provide comprehensive resources, networking opportunities, and professional development
- Maintains the CT Nonprofit Center, a shared workspace
- Works to make Connecticut a great place for smaller manufacturers to do business
- Supports legislative advocacy, workforce development, and networking opportunities
- Focus on manufacturers with less than 100 employees
- For veterinary professionals in Connecticut
- Works to promote veterinary medicine standards and offer programs and services to members
- Offers a variety of professional resources
- An organization for dental professionals
- Conducts statewide outreach as well as continuing education services
- A small mentor network is available to dentists in the early stages of their career
- An organization supporting Connecticut’s mortgage lenders and their service providers
- Supports continuing education opportunities
- Offers member benefits such as networking groups
- An organization supporting credit unions in Connecticut
- Provides educational training and networking opportunities
- Dues-subsidized audits allow members to see if they are in compliance with rules and regulations
- An organization providing information to nursery and landscape professionals
- Includes research and educational initiatives
- Member benefits including legal, regulatory, and technical advice
- A trade association for surveyors and mapping scientists
- Supports workforce training and education
- Different membership levels available
- Represents hotels, motels, and other accommodations
- Allied member program includes tourism-related businesses and vendor services
- Offers resources and professional training as well as legislative advocacy
- Originally formed to represent freight haulers, but now includes members with smaller commercial vehicles as well
- Services to keep members compliant with current laws
- Educational seminars on issues affecting the trucking industry
- A trade organization for retailers, wholesalers, and associates in the petroleum industry
- Supports job training and educational efforts as well as legislative and regulatory advocacy
- Promotes fuel efficiency and environmental improvements
- A trade organization first established in 1890
- Focus on training and education
- Includes a continuing education program for plumbers and e-learning options
- Supports efforts to improve tourism marketing of Connecticut
- Offers a training program for hospitality workers and others on the “front line” of Connecticut tourism
- Pursues a legislative agenda that includes better and more sustainable funding for tourism marketing
- A trade association founded in 1943 to advocate for tool and die workers
- Key focus areas of workforce development and government advocacy
- Offers several member benefits as well as an online educational portal
- An advocacy group for Connecticut’s food industry
- Represents food retailers of all sizes as well as businesses such as wholesalers and distributors
- Addresses issues ranging from nutrition to environmental stewardship
- An organization for Connecticut’s professional accountants
- Offers professional development and other resources
- Helps connect accountants to businesses and to each other
- A coalition working to strengthen the insurance and financial industry in Connecticut
- Offers several workplace development initiatives aimed at students
- Works to attract and retain businesses in the sector as well as promote the industry
- A member-governed organization with a focus on legislative advocacy
- Provides member benefits and leverages buying power
- A voice for any retail business
- A grassroots organization run by Connecticut insurance professionals
- Promotes insurance technology through networking, education, and startup support
- Professional services available to foster innovation in existing businesses
- Connecticut chapter of a not-for-profit organization for remodeling contractors and those in associated trades
- Certifications, networking opportunities, and member benefits
- Offers services to homeowners as well
- The largest professional trade association in Connecticut
- Members work to promote and advocate the ownership of real estate in the state
- Advocacy, legal services, and other resources
- Brings together different segments of the commercial construction industry to advance and promote shared interests
- Offers a variety of education and training programs
- Members receive benefits such as safety resources and access to organized labor services
- A Connecticut chapter of a national nonprofit professional society
- Offers a variety of programs and resources for those working with sustainable development or the energy industry
- Certification programs and training available
- A trade organization advocating for businesses involved in recreational boating in Connecticut
- Legislative advocacy as well as educational services
- Networking opportunities include an annual boat show
- A state member organization of a national engineering group
- Offers a variety of programs and services as well as advocacy on issues related to engineering
- A resource for engineering firms as well as companies that contract with engineers
- A nonprofit organization offering legislative advocacy on behalf of Connecticut’s agricultural workers
- Resources and member benefits
- For new and established agricultural businesses
- Advocates for those in Connecticut’s restaurant industry
- Provides information and networking services
- Member benefits
- CBIA is a leader in making Connecticut a top state for business, jobs, and growth
- Thousands of member companies are championing for change at the state level
- CBIA’s goal is to create a better economic future for all
- EAMA is a non-profit organization that strengthens eastern Connecticut, southern and central Massachusetts, and Rhode Island’s advanced manufacturing industry
- For manufacturers based in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
- Provides member benefits and resources
- CT PTAC solves the puzzle of government contracting
- For Connecticut startups interested in selling their goods or services to federal, state, or local government
- As the bridge between buyers and suppliers, proving subject matter expertise in government sector contracting and assisting clients to maximize their services and product sales opportunity.
- Works to increase awareness of manufacturing industry in Connecticut and improve conditions for these businesses in the state
- Activities include networking events, policy advocacy, cross-sector collaboration
- Open to both manufacturers and non-manufacturers
- Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM) is a nonprofit network of aerospace companies in Connecticut and southwestern Massachusetts
- Works to attract global aerospace businesses to the region
- Goal of creating more efficiency and cost-effective manufacturing of aerospace components
Connecticut Resource Organizations