IMO, all associations are designed to organize a market. It's a very complex form of marketing that is old, but proven. However, with Web 2.0, blogs, word-of-mouth marketing, CGM, etc., the exchange of information no longer needs to be contained within an "association" where the top benefits from the bottom-feeders. Your site (and soon my site: eautosalesblog.com) will be the new venues for the FREE exchange of information.