A number of companies in the adult trades and services industry have resolved to establish a trade association to represent the sector. The association will be called the Adult Industry Trade Association [AITA]. This prospectus explains why an association is needed, describes the basic features of the association and invites applications for membership.
The industry
Adult trades and services is now a substantial industry with turnover running into hundreds of millions of pounds. The industry provides employment, attracts visitors to the country and is achieving increasing success in export markets.
Videos and magazines are the largest part of the industry; this section of the industry is dominated by four major companies. However, there are hundreds of other small and medium sized firms that operate in this market and in other parts of the industry - advertising, artists, authors, beds & bedding, body decoration, bondage, books, clubs, condoms, cosmetic surgery, hair and beauty, costumes, entertainers, fashion, fetish, films, furniture, holidays, hot tubs, internet, lubricants, models, novelties, photography, piercing, sculptors, sex shops, sex therapy/health, shoes & footwear, tattoos, television, adult toys and many others.
The need for a Trade Association
Almost all sectors of the economy the size of the adult trades and services industry have a trade association. The Association ensures that the interests of the industry are adequately represented to the Government, regulators and the media; provides services to members, in particular information on relevant legislation and regulations; promotes the industry generally and, in many cases, seeks to raise standards. The adult trades and services industry needs a trade association for all of these reasons.