Industry Research: Where to Begin

Provides detailed profiles of over 25,000 trade, fraternal and professional associations in the U.S. Includes contact information, founding data, activities/purpose, conferences, publications and more.

Provided by the American Society of Associations Executives (ASAE). Searchable by association name, keyword. Browsable by city, state/province, country, organization type.

From Valuation Resources. "Provides sources for industry information, research, and analysis for over 400 industries. Individual guides for each industry list resources available from trade associations, industry publications, research firms and other sources which address subjects such as industry analysis, statistics, trends, and forecasts, financial information and financial ratios, compensation and salary surveys, and business valuation resources."

From Polson Enterprises. "Major sources of information for over 100 U.S. industries". Links may include industry news, statistics, trade organizations and publications.

Maintained by the University of Texas at San Antonio, with support from the SBA and other affiliates. Serves as a clearinghouse for state Small Business Development Centers. "Industry Links" provides resources for 35 manufacturing/service industries. Also provides access to resources for 19 small business topics.

Provides information on the development of 14 industry sectors in America. Also links to industry-related topics (government regulation, select federal agencies, foreign trade, depressions/recessions/panics, infrastructure).

To access historical information on industries, click on "Industry Essays" (under "Industries" tab) to browse over 1,000 industries. Most (but not every) industry profile contains a "Background and Development" section which provides historical information.

Provides historical profiles for over 80 American industries. Each profile has an extensive chronology. Also provides links to business biographies, business/economic history and more.

This free online directory of information is culled from Thomson-Gale's reference products. The "Encyclopedia of American Industries" section profiles hundreds of industries. The "Background & Development" section of profiles offers historical information about the industry.