Trade Associations
There are innumerable trade associations that focus on various aspects of the design and construction industry. We strongly recommend researching your local market to determine which organizations are most active in your territory.
If you’re looking for somewhere to begin, here’s a curated list of the top 25 organizations across various aspects of the design and construction industry. This list balances professional development, industry influence, diversity, and specialization to maximize networking impact and industry reach.
ACI - American Concrete Institute
Focuses on concrete applications, supporting professionals in structural and materials engineering.
AIA - American Institute of Architects
The leading organization for architects, offering extensive resources, events, and networking opportunities.
APTA - American Public Transportation Association
Serves public transportation and infrastructure design, offering insights into transit-focused construction.
ARTBA - American Road & Transportation Builders Association
Focuses on transportation infrastructure, ideal for those involved in roads, bridges, and other large-scale projects.
ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers
A leading organization for civil engineers, providing networking and certification for professionals in infrastructure projects.
ASID - American Society of Interior Designers
Supports residential and commercial interior designers with education, networking, and certification.
AGC - Associated General Contractors of America
One of the largest construction organizations, offering a wide reach within the contractor community.
BOMA - Building Owners and Managers Association
Represents commercial property managers and building owners, a key group for those in commercial design and construction.
CSI - Construction Specifications Institute
Focuses on standards and specifications, providing networking and certification valuable for product and materials knowledge.
CoreNet Global
Focuses on corporate real estate, providing insights and connections in corporate facility design and management.
DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America
Promotes the design-build project delivery method, widely used in public and private projects, offering certification and events.
IFMA - International Facility Management Association
Supports facility managers, a key audience for those working on corporate and commercial projects.
IIDA - International Interior Design Association
Connects interior designers across sectors, with a strong focus on commercial and corporate spaces.
IWBI - International WELL Building Institute
Provides WELL certification and focuses on health and wellness in built environments, ideal for sustainable design networking.
LCI - Lean Construction Institute
Promotes lean methodologies in construction, fostering efficiency-focused networking for project managers and designers.
NAHB - National Association of Home Builders
One of the largest residential construction organizations, with networking, certification, and advocacy for home builders and remodelers.
NAMC - National Association of Minority Contractors
Supports minority-owned construction businesses, providing resources and networking for contractors.
NAWIC - National Association of Women in Construction
Supports women in construction through education, mentorship, and networking.
NOMA - National Organization of Minority Architects
Advocates for diversity and inclusion within architecture, offering mentorship and career-building events.
PWC - Professional Women in Construction
Provides support and networking for women across all areas of AEC industries, fostering business development.
SHPE - Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers
Supports Hispanic professionals in engineering, including construction and civil engineering fields.
SWE - Society of Women Engineers
Supports women in engineering, including construction, civil, and structural engineering.
ULI - Urban Land Institute
A broad organization covering real estate development, design, and urban planning, ideal for networking across sectors.
USGBC - US Green Building Council
Creator of the LEED certification, focusing on sustainable design across all building types, with extensive resources and events.
WTS - Women’s Transportation Seminar
A global organization focused on advancing women in transportation, with strong networking for design and construction of transit infrastructure.