The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) is the world's largest trade association

Trade association

A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...

 serving the composites industry. Its mission

Mission statement

A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...

 is to provide education and information to the composites industry, lobby for the composites industry, and develop and expand markets for composite materials.

Government Affairs

ACMA's government affairs department assists member companies in keeping up to date on current regulations. The government affairs department is also responsible for advocating on behalf of member companies when new legislation is being formed.

PAC

ACMA has operated its own Political Action Committee

Political action committee

In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...

 since 2003. ACMA PAC supports members of Congress who agree with ACMA's views on issues affecting the composites industry.

Caucus

ACMA coordinates the Congressional Composites Caucus

Caucus

A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...

 in an effort to encourage members of Congress to learn more about the composites industry. The caucus currently has 32 members and hosts 3-4 briefings annually to inform Congressmen and their staff on the applications of composite materials. Caucus participation is achieved by ACMA member companies sending letters to their Congressman requesting that they join the caucus.

Certification

An important part of ACMA's mandate is to certify composites employees. This is done through the ACMA Certified Composites Technician (CCT) training and exam. There are eight separate CCT programs focusing on different technical aspects of the composites industry.

COMPOSITES Conference

ACMA organizes a convention each year called COMPOSITES. The purpose of the convention is to educate manufacturers on emerging technologies in the composites industry and allow them to connect with buyers as well as suppliers.

Composites Manufacturing Magazine

ACMA writes and publishes a magazine for the composites industry called Composites Manufacturing. This is a quarterly publication with different industry segments for Aerospace, Automotive, Cast Polymer, Infrastructure, Marine, Renewable Energy, Sports/Recreation, and most recently University. The magazine keeps readers informed about the most recent developments in the composites industry.

Scholarship

The Western Chapter Scholarship is a scholarship for employees, spouses, and children of employees of companies in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming who are ACMA members.

External links

• ACMA Website
• Certified Composites Technician Program
• Composites Manufacturing