In the multi-level marketing industry you will find that there are many different business opportunities to take advantage of. Many different MLM companies sell various types of products that appeal to a wide and diverse range of consumers. However, there is no specific central industry association that is there to promote the industry and set the standards. You will find some groups that group network marketing companies, their distributors, and companies that sell products or services to the industry. The MLMIA or Multi-Level Network Marketing Association International is an example of a successful network marketing association that has members all over the world.

This network marketing association was founded in 1985 by individuals from a group of successful network marketers and strives to protect, support and promote various business opportunities found in the network marketing industry at large. This provides independent distributors with the assurance that their interests will be defended against various regulatory and government groups, as well as a wealth of information about the industry itself and the various business opportunities it presents.

Industry associations like the MLMIA are very important in the network marketing industry due to the fact that they work with companies and independent distributors involved in multiple businesses, rather than just supporting one particular business. There are also many myths about the network marketing industry that are present in the public mind and are often perpetuated by the mainstream media. A network marketing association like the MLMIA can issue statements and press releases, as well as provide unbiased expert opinions to help dispel some of these myths. The MLMIA is not a regulatory agency and membership is voluntary for both network marketing companies and their individual distributors, but as you can see, it can have great benefits for all parties involved in the multi-level marketing industry.