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DED – Department of Economic Development
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Local Economic Development
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Business Based
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Personal Based
Meet Up Groups

Women’s Groups
NAWBO – National Association of Women Business Owners
ABWA – American Business Women’s Association
eWomen Network
IWF – International Women’s Forum
Success in the City
Women In Technology

And for DC area there is this additional resource that mentions a bunch of other women’s groups:
DC Top Ten Networking Groups for Women
WBIS – Women Building and Investing in Success

For Expats
FACC (French American Chamber of Commerce – there are chapters in many cities)
Your country’s Embassy (French Embassy)
InterNations

For French Nationals
FIAFE/Accueil local (for example “Washington Accueil Association”)
WAA

More
Become a member of the alumni of your college and potentially even your high school
Become a member of all the various professional organizations/associations that pertain to your various professions and activities.

Neuroscience

Non Violent Communication (NVC)

Parenting and Parenting Education

Pregnancy and Child Birth

Positive Psychology

Psychodrama

Relationships/Couples

Self Help

Professional Associations by Industry

This list is compiled by the company Job Stars USA
Accounting
* View the compilation of Accounting Professional Associations & Organizations.
Administrative
* American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) provides professional development, training, and resources for administrative professionals and executive assistants.
* Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals (AEAP) helps members stay informed of advances and changes in professional practice and technology.
* International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a professional association for office professionals with approximately 20,000 members and affiliates.
Aerospace
* American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society, dedicated to advancing the global aerospace profession for engineers and scientists.
* Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) is the largest professional membership organization in the fields of aviation, space, and environmental medicine.
Animal Care / Veterinary
* View the compilation of Animal Care Professional Associations & Organizations.
Anthropology
* American Anthropological Association (AAA) is the world’s largest association for professional anthropologists, with more than 10,000 members.
Appraisal
* American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is an international organization of appraisal professionals and others interested in the appraisal profession.
Archaeology
* Society for American Archeology (SAA) is dedicated to the research, interpretation, and protection of the archaeological heritage of the Americas.
Architecture
* View the compilation of Architecture Professional Associations & Organizations.
Arts (Performing, Visual)
* View the compilation of Arts Professional Associations & Organizations.
Associations & Clubs
* Center for Association Leadership (ASAE) is the premier source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession.
* Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) is the professional association for managers of membership clubs.
Astronomy
* American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) is a non-profit worldwide scientific and educational organization of amateur and professional astronomers.
* American Astronomical Society (AAS) membership (~7,000) includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within astronomy.
Auctioneer
* National Auctioneers Association (NAA) exists to provide critical resources to auction professionals that will constantly enhance their skills and successes.
Aviation
* Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) is the largest aviation association in the world.
* American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) is the largest professional organization for airport executives, representing thousands of management personnel at public use airports.
* Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) is the world’s leader in advancing the flight attendant profession.
* National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) is dedicated to raising and maintaining the professional standing of the flight instructor in the aviation community.
Botany
* American Botanical Council (ABC) is a leading international member-based organization providing education to promote the responsible use of herbal medicine.
* American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is a professional society devoted to the advancement of the plant sciences.
* Botanical Society of America (BSA) is the home for all botanists and plant scientists and supports the breadth and diversity of botanical research and education.
Broadcasting
* National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is the voice for the nation’s radio and television broadcasters.
* Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) is the only organization devoted to the advancement of all levels and types of broadcast engineering.
Cannabis
* Association of Cannabis Professionals (ACP) consists of experienced, passionate activists who work tirelessly in favor of a safe, accessible, legal cannabis industry.
Career Services
* View the compilation of Career Services Professional Associations & Organizations.
Change Management
* Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) is the premier and most respected global community advancing the discipline of change management.
Child Care
* Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) advances the field of child life by fostering research and promoting the efficacy of child life practice.
* Association for Early Learning Leaders is a nonprofit organization committed to excellence by promoting leadership development and enhancing program quality.
* National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting quality child care by strengthening the profession of family child care.
Communications
* Communications Media Management Association (CMMA) is the premier professional organization for people who manage the creation, distribution and utilization of communications media.
* National Communication Association (NCA) advances communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication.
* National Information Officers Association (NIOA) is dedicated to serving the needs of the professional information officer through professional networking and ongoing educational opportunities.
Construction
* View the compilation of Construction Professional Associations & Organizations.
Counseling
* View the compilation of Counseling Professional Associations & Organizations.
Criminal Justice
* View the compilation of Criminal Justice Professional Associations & Organizations.
Culinary
* American Culinary Federation (ACF) is the leading culinary association and standard of excellence for chefs in North America, with more 17,500+ members spanning more than 150 chapters nationwide.
* Research Chefs Association (RCA) promotes the value of Culinology® and empowers its practioners through higher learning and continuing education programs.
* United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA) is committed to creating and maximizing the value of the ‘personal chef’ profession.
Dental
* View the compilation of Dental Professional Associations & Organizations.
Design
* American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a professional association of designers committed to advancing the impact of interior design on the human experience.
* Professional Association for Design (AIGA) is a global community of design advocates and practitioners.
Disability
* Accessibility Professionals Association (APA) is an association of professionals focusing on accessibility in the built environment.
* Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) promotes excellence in the delivery of interpreting services among diverse users of signed and spoken languages.
Diversity
* View the compilation of Diversity Professional Associations & Organizations.
Economics
* National Association for Business Economics (NABE) is the global professional association for business economists.
Education
* View the compilation of Education Professional Associations & Organizations.
Emergency Management
* National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) is dedicated to improving the nation’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from national emergencies, disasters, and threats.
* International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is a worldwide organization dedicated to promoting the principles of emergency management.
* International Association for Preparedness and Response (DERA) links professionals, volunteers and organizations in disaster preparedness and emergency management.
* U.S. First Responders Association USFRA) is a non-profit, professional and social network of firefighters, EMS, rescue, police officers, military and civilian support teams.
Engineering
* View the compilation of Engineering Professional Associations & Organizations.
Environment
* Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) is the leading international association for environmental professionals interested in expanding their professional knowledge and networks.
* National Ground Water Association (NGWA) is composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals including contractors, scientists and engineers, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers.
* North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) advances environmental literacy and civic engagement through the power of education.
* Society of American Foresters (SAF) sets the standard in forest management and focuses on actively shaping the future of the profession.
Events
* Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) is dedicated to elevating the event and convention service profession.
* International Live Events Association (ILEA) is a global community of thousands of creative event professionals.
* National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) is the oldest and largest professional association dedicated to all aspects of the catering and events industry.
* National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) represents the interests of legitimate ticket sellers worldwide, all while promoting consumer protection and industry education.
Facilities
* Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) is the oldest and most experienced facilities maintenance and engineering association.
* International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals.
* Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the only organization dedicated specifically to retail multi-site facilities management professionals.
Fashion
* Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers.
Finance
* View the compilation of Finance Professional Associations & Organizations.
Fitness
* National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) offers a wide range of primary, advanced & specialized education, certification and business systems
Floral
* American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) is the floral industry’s leading non-profit organization committed to establishing and maintaining higher standards in professional floral design.
Food Service
* View the compilation of Food Service Professional Associations & Organizations.
Foreign Policy
* Foreign Policy Association (FPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring Americans to learn more about the world.
Fundraising
* Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for charitable institutions.
* Grant Professionals Association (GPA) builds and supports a community of grant professionals committed to serving the greater public good.
Funeral
* National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 19,700 individual members.
Genealogy
* Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) represents more than 2,700 genealogists, librarians, writers, historians, instructors, and others involved in genealogy-related businesses.
Government
* View the compilation of Government Professional Associations & Organizations.
Healthcare
* View the compilation of Healthcare Professional Associations & Organizations.
Horticulture / Viticulture
* AmericanHort unites, promotes, and advances the horticulture industry through advocacy, collaboration, connectivity, education, market development, and research.
* American Horticultural Society (AHS) is one of the oldest member-based national gardening organizations in North America.
* American Public Gardens Association (APGA) is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture.
* American Society for Enology & Viticulture (ASEV) is dedicated to the interests of enologists, viticulturists, and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production.
Human Resources
* View the compilation of Human Resource Professional Associations & Organizations.
Insurance
* View the compilation of Insurance Professional Associations & Organizations.
Information Technology
* View the compilation of IT Professional Associations & Organizations.
Interior Design
* American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a leading professional association of interior designers, industry leaders, educators and students.
Jewelry
* Jewelers of America (JA) was founded by jewelers for jewelers, with a desire to advance the professionalism and ethics of the jewelry industry.
Journalism & Photography
* American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) is the premier trade association for photographers who create images primarily for publication.
* National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) is dedicated to the advancement of visual journalism for individuals who are working or aspiring towards working in the field of visual journalism.
* Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the world’s largest non-profit association for professional photographers.
* Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to improving and protecting journalism.
Landscaping
* National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) is the national trade association representing an industry of nearly 1 million professionals.
Legal
* View the compilation of Legal Professional Associations & Organizations.
Library
* American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world.
Local (by City)
* View the compilation of Local Professional Associations & Organizations.
Logistics
* View the compilation of Logistics Professional Associations & Organizations.
Marketing
* View the compilation of Marketing Professional Associations & Organizations.
Management & Strategy
* American Management Association (AMA) is a world leader in professional development, advancing the skills of individuals to drive business success.
* Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) is the leading global professional association dedicated to negotiating, planning and executing alliances, partnerships, and other collaborative business relationships.
Manufacturing
* American Society for Quality (ASQ) is the world’s leading global community of people passionate about quality.
* Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) is the premier not-for-profit organization dedicated to the journey of continuous improvement and enterprise excellence.
* Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) is a professional organization with 2,500+ individual and company members working together to improve metal forming and fabricating.
* National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every sector and in all 50 states.
Occupational Safety & Health
* American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is one of the largest international associations serving the needs of industrial hygienists and OEHS professionals.
* American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) sets the standard for OSH excellence and ethics while providing professional development, advocacy and standards development.
* National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) provides training, consultative services, and third-party certifications in the area of workplace safety.
Oil & Energy
* American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) is a professional organization that unites around 17,000 landmen and land-related persons through professional development and service.
Optometry
* American Optometric Association (AOA) represents the profession of optometry (America’s family eye doctors) who take a leading role in an individual’s overall eye and vision care.
Parks & Recreation
* National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) works to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.
Pharmaceutical
* View the compilation of Pharmaceutical Professional Associations & Organizations.
Physical Fitness
* National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a membership organization for elite strength coaches, personal trainers and dedicated researchers and educators.
Plumbing
* American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) is the international organization for professionals skilled in the design, specification and inspection of plumbing systems.
Politics
* American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy.
Postal
* National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is the union of city letter carriers employed by the U.S. Postal Service.
* National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS) is the only management organization that represents supervisors, managers and postmasters.
Productivity
* National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) is dedicated to helping organizing and productivity professionals bring order to individuals and businesses.
Psychology
* American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States.
* Association for Behavioral Analysis International (ABAI) is a leading membership organization for those interested in the philosophy, science, application, and teaching of behavior analysis.
Public Speaking
* National Speakers Association (NSA) is the leading source for community, education and entrepreneurial business knowledge needed to be successful in the speaking profession.
Real Estate
* View the compilation of Real Estate Professional Associations & Organizations.
Recruiting
* National Association of Executive Recruiters (NAER) represents a membership dedicated to the highest level of ethical standards and practices.
Religious
* Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) is 5,000+ members serving chaplains in all types of health and human service settings.
* The Church Network (TCN) is an association of churches and individuals which exists to connect, develop, and strengthen church leaders in administration.
Retirement Planning
* American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) is the premier national organization for career retirement plan professionals.
Sales
* View the compilation of Sales Professional Associations & Organizations.
Science
* View the compilation of Science Professional Associations & Organizations.
Security
* International Bodyguard Association (IBA) is the oldest and largest bodyguard association, with sites of protective service and education worldwide.
* International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) is dedicated to providing meaningful and cost effective security training for security guards and protection officers.
Sociology / Social Work
* American Sociological Association (ASA) is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good.
* National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world.
Sports
* View the compilation of Sports Professional Associations & Organizations.
Staffing
* American Staffing Association (ASA) is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry.
* National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) is the premier educational association representing the search, recruiting and staffing industry.
Statistics
* American Statistical Association (ASA) has a proud tradition of service to statisticians, quantitative scientists, and users of statistics across a wealth of academic areas and applications.
Tax
* Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is the internal audit profession’s global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator.
* National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) provides its members the support, education, products and services needed to succeed in the tax profession.
Telecommunications
* Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is the premier membership organization for technical cable telecommunications professionals.
Textiles
* American Sewing Guild (ASG) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to people who believe sewing is a rewarding and creative activity.
* Association of Sewing and Design Professional (ASDP) is dedicated to supporting individuals engaged in sewing and design related businesses.
Training & Development
* Association for Talent Development (ATD) is the world’s largest association dedicated to those who develop talent in organizations.
* International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) is dedicated to quality continuing education and training programs.
* Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network (LTen) is dedicated to supporting the professional goals of trainers in the life sciences.
Turnaround Management
* Turnaround Management Association (TMA) is the leading professional community for turnaround management, corporate restructuring, and distressed investing professionals.
Urban Planning
* American Planning Association (APA) is an independent, not-for-profit educational association organized to advance the art and science of urban and regional planning.
Volunteer
* Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) is a national membership organization of leaders and professionals in volunteer engagement.
Waste Management
* Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is an organization of 9,000+ public and private sector professionals committed to advancing from solid waste management to resource management.
Weddings / Marriage Services
* International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO) is a professional membership organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the wedding officiant profession worldwide.
* Justice of the Peace Association (JPUS) is a professional membership association for notaries and justices of the peace whose primary duty is to perform marriages.
Writing
* National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW) is a membership organization for memoir writers from all over the world.
* Society for Editing (ACES) is a professional organization working toward the advancement of editors.
* Spanish Editors Association (SEA) is dedicated to promoting high standards of quality, ethics, and business practices for editors of Spanish texts for the United States.