As the pace of political and regulatory change accelerates and the stakes for businesses grow higher, navigating today’s dynamic policy landscape can be demanding—but you don’t have to do it alone.

Consider that since President Trump’s return to office, he’s signed 161 executive orders—including a record 142 in his first 100 days—ranging from AI regulations to education and military policies. For companies impacted by the waves of executive action, this unprecedented pace has created several strategic communications challenges: Which changes will stick? Which will face legal challenges? How should your brand respond without appearing reactive or political?

At RH Strategic, we recommend one particularly effective approach: working with industry associations as a powerful tool in your overall communications strategy. Savvy businesses, nonprofits and academic institutions are tapping into these groups as strategic partners to share insights, amplify their voice, engage with policymakers and influence decisions that affect their future.

The Case for Collective Strength

Trade associations—groups of businesses in the same profession that collaborate and work together towards common objectives—are more than networking groups. They’re your organization’s insurance policy against federal whiplash. When groups like the American Public Health Association, Association of American Universities or National Council of Nonprofits mobilize collective advocacy or issue joint statements, they carry weight that individual companies simply can’t match.

We’re seeing this play out in real time across multiple sectors. With President Trump threatening tariffs on electronic components like LED lights and lithium batteries, the Consumer Technology Association, whose member companies range from tech titans like Amazon and Verizon to small device manufacturers, coordinated a strategic response, including a six-figure ad campaign and meetings with Capitol Hill lawmakers. In higher education, many associations are filing legal challenges on behalf of individual institutions in response to the administration’s funding and policy changes.

The math is simple: In a Congress where the margins to pass legislation are razor-thin and any single member can advance or kill legislation, associations now more than ever provide the shared firepower to build stronger relationships and drive more meaningful policy influence.

The RH Strategic Framework for Association Engagement

RH’s recent 1-2-3 Playbook highlights the importance of opening lines of communication with partners. To start this process, we recommend:

  • Identify appropriate industry associations: An easy internet search can quickly provide a list of national-level industry associations. However, for more specific results, we recommend searching within your state or region and perhaps including specific information. For example, healthcare providers can join the National Association of Health Professionals, but there are also niche organizations relevant to specific fields, like the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
  • Consult your network: Ask colleagues or partners in the same field if they or their organization belong to any associations. Engaging directly with members of associations is a great way to find out more information about membership, coalition activities and events.
  • Research your shortlist: Once you have a few associations that are relevant to your organization, research their activities and understand what benefits they provide their members. It’s important to understand how successful these organizations are in influencing policy and what they provide to their members—whether it’s networking opportunities, events to share insights or action committees to drive change through legislation. Look for groups that do more than just issue press releases; they file amicus briefs, testify at hearings and have leadership with direct access to key officials.
  • Join or engage with an association: Many associations have information on how to join as an individual or as a company. Be aware that associations can require fees or annual dues which go towards their activities or resources. And don’t just pay dues and hope for the best; the organizations that get ROI from associations treat membership as a strategic investment. They volunteer for committees that align with their priorities, contribute subject matter expertise to policy positions and build relationships with other influential members.

Go Farther—Together

As Helen Keller famously said, “Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much.”

We’ve seen that statement hold true in 2025 thus far, as associations have proven to be powerful tools for organizations affected by policy shifts. Industry groups provide several things you can’t build alone: collective credibility, shared resources and the power of many voices speaking in unison.

In today’s rapidly shifting, even chaotic environment, going solo is a luxury most businesses and nonprofits can’t afford.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can effectively engage with associations, RH Strategic’s expert public affairs team knows which groups move the needle and how to maximize your membership investment. We’re here to provide expertise on how we can help advocate your interests and meet your organizational objectives. Let’s talk strategy.

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RH Strategic is a Seattle and D.C.-based PR agency with a nationwide presence and additional global reach via membership in the Worldcom Public Relations Group. We provide strategic public relations for innovators in the technology, government, healthcare, and social and environmental impact markets.