Coverage begins in 1994. Westlaw -database of legal resources covering Federal and state court cases and statutes, legislation and regulations. Worldscope Global covers companies worldwide which trade on stock exchanges. Information is derived from corporate annual and 10K reports, newspapers and wire services. Much of it is free or inexpensive.
Associations usually publish statistics, pamphlets and can recommend experts.
The also usually conduct trade shows and annual meetings. Associations Unlimited Database -look up associations by name, words in text, and S.I.C. codes. Small Business Development Center Small Business Advisor -links and information for starting and maintaining a small business. These are sources which will help point you toward sources which might be of help. E52 Small business sourcebook .