# Social Networking Gone Wild Professional Tailgaters By Alex Covert | Published 2007-09-05 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-networking-gone-wild-professional-tailgaters References: [ustga](http://www.ustga.com) The [United States Tailgating Association](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fun-food-crunch) announced its launch today as the first national [membership organization](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nylon-membership) of professional tailgaters. You can join as an apprentice, professional journeyman, professional master, or lifetime professional master. What are the benefits? Members get a card, a t-shirt, a koozie, and a sticker. Party on! **Implications** - One of the biggest advantages of [social networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plus-1) is that they allow people with similar interests to connect despite traditional obstacles. As a result, more and more companies are finding that bringing people together using these platforms is rewarding. By facilitating the development of like-minded people and their relationships, businesses can make a definitive mark on the world and their target market. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Life](https://www.trendhunter.com/life) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Professional Tailgating Communities:** The rise of the United States Tailgating Association highlights a growing market for professional tailgating communities and networking platforms for tailgaters. - **Social Network-based Memberships:** The launch of the United States Tailgating Association as a national membership organization of professional tailgaters indicates an opportunity for more social network-based membership platforms. - **Tailgater Merchandising:** The United States Tailgating Association's offering of membership benefits including merchandise can inspire new tailgater merchandising opportunities. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Sports Fan Communities:** Professional tailgating communities and networking platforms for tailgaters can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for the sports fan community industry. - **Social Network Platforms:** The increasing demand for social network-based memberships has potential for disruptive innovation in the social network platform industry. - **Event Merchandising:** The United States Tailgating Association's tailgater merchandising opportunity can inspire disruptive innovation in the event merchandising industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Social Gaming Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playwrk.md) - [Cross-Industry Insight Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-think-party.md) - [Endurance Athlete-Specific Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/front-pack.md) - [Foodie Networking Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yourtable.md) - [Social Networking Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/internet-social-caf.md) - [Hyperlocal Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperlocal-social-networks.md) - [Larger-Than-Life Sports Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-longest-tailgate.md) - [Streamlined Skilled Trades Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trades-app.md) - [Professional Networking Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/justnetwork.md)