http://www.dma.org.uk/
Direct Marketing Association

Was just browsing this site before...

The DM Code of Practice now includes revised sections 14 and 20, which relate to email and SMS marketing. [heck that's nearly web pages]

They have some interesting stuff on there - and bearing in mind people are discussing what we ant from an association I thought it was interesting to see that they have a benefits page...
http://www.dma.org.uk/content/Gro-Affinity.asp

What benefits would people expect from an affiliates association? Or does perhaps the direct marketing association just need to expand a little to incorporate affiliate marketing?

However - one of the big issues facing us as affiliateers (as in other industries) is the issue of not being able to legislate to protect people from companies operating outside the uk. (eg: silent phoen calls from abroad violating telephone preference service but nowt can be done because thye're abroad)
Affiliates are international. Someone in american can run affiliate programs in the Uk. What jurisdiction should an association have? Should it be international? Do other countries have an association?

Would we be better discussing the formation with a group like the DMA who already exist and have framework in place?

Is there anything useful we can pull from their site to take to this meeting that is planned?

I did enjoy their membership fee calculator too!