Assistance with business-related travel including office and exhibition space as well as dining privileges at many member WTCs is available. Determine what you hope to accomplish by joining a trade organization, select the best group based on those goals and write out a plan for achieving them. The Organization of Women in International Trade , is another useful resource, targeted to women involved in international business. There are currently OWIT chapters in most major US cities and in eight other countries. A virtual chapter also exists for members geographically removed from existing chapter locations.
Benefits vary, but are primarily focused on networking and educational opportunities.
Simply joining an organization may put you on its mailing list for newsletters and publications but the true value of your membership dues is in connecting with other members. By volunteering for a committee or project, you will get higher visibility in the organization and other members will get to know who you are. Associations that are devoted to trade in certain parts of the world are also viable choices if you plan on doing a lot of business in a particular geographic area. There are literally hundreds of bi-national trade organizations from which to choose. Many of these organizations offer trade information assistance, business luncheons, presentations, trade seminars, as well as recreational and social events to get to know other members.