C-TPAT is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. C-TPAT recognizes that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. Through this initiative, CBP is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate and verify the security guidelines of their business partners within the supply chain.

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is the professional organization of the $114 billion third party logistics industry. TIA is the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce. TIA is the voice of transportation intermediaries to shippers, carriers, government officials, and international organizations. TIA is the United States member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarder Associations FIATA.

In 1989 David Owen and Buster Anderson decided to establish an active association for small trucking companies, nationwide that serves as an advocate for, a consultant to, and a source of collective buying power for its member companies. The National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) has grown to represent over 2000 members in the United States and Canada and continues to grow each month. NASTC not only saves its member companies millions of dollars a year through participation in their innovative cost reduction programs, but also has become recognized as "the voice for small trucking companies" by the Washington establishment.

FIATA is recognised as representing the freight forwarding industry by many other governmental organisations, governmental authorities, private international organisations in the field of transport such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Union of Railways (UIC), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), etc.

In summary FIATA is the largest non-governmental organisation in the field of transportation. Its influence is worldwide.

The Platinum Performance Program (P3) is a contractual best practices agreement for property brokers, freight forwarders, motor carriers and freight bill audit/payment companies who desire to achieve a higher level of customer service and operating performance.

P3 is a program developed by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), in 2002, for its member brokers and forwarders as well as freight bill audit/payment and trucking companies wishing to conduct business using common terms and conditions.

P3 brings a new level of trust and performance to the broker/forwarder-motor carrier relationship. The result will be reduced costs, increased profits and improved performance.

For over sixty years, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has served as the authoritative source of information on standards of natural stone workmanship and practice and the suitable application of natural stone products.

Membership in the association is worldwide and includes nearly 2,000 natural stone producers, exporters/importers, distributors/wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers ? all committed to the highest standards of workmanship and ethics.

MIA publishes a monthly newsletter for members, markets a range of technical publications and consumer pamphlets on natural stone, sponsors business and technical meetings and seminars on industry-related topics, provides educational programming for architects and construction specification professionals, and conducts the "Rocky" Advertising Awards and the annual Pinnacle Awards competitions recognizing outstanding natural stone projects worldwide.

MIA is also a leading promoter of stone usage in the commercial and residential marketplaces. MIA produces a number of consumer education materials on the use of natural stone and its proper care and maintenance, and hosts an informative web site for consumers and design and construction professionals at www.usenaturalstone.com.