American Association of Independent Music

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American Association of Independent Music
Formation	2005
Type	Trade Association
Legal status	Non-Profit
Purpose/focus	Promotion of independent music
Headquarters	New York, NY
Region served	USA
Website	www.a2im.org

The American Association of Independent Music, or A2IM, is a non-profit Trade Organization representing independent music and independent record labels in the United States.

It was originally formed in July, 2005 as a member of the World Independent Network (W.I.N.).

A2IM seeks fairness, equity, and transparency for Independent labels via lobbying, commerce, and member services. Headquartered in NYC, the organization represents member companies across the nation and gives a local voice to working class music companies. Independent music labels may be distributed by the majors, by major label owned Independent distributors, by Independently owned companies, or even self-distributed or digital only companies. Despite differences in distribution methods, music genres, and geographical locations they are all Independent music labels and as such are eligible for membership with A2IM.

A2IM was preceded by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors, or NAIRD. In 1997, the 25th anniversary of the group, it changed its name to AFIM (Association for Independent Music).

As AFIM, the organization was best known for the annual issuing of Indie Awards, recognizing artistic and commercial success among artists signed to independent music labels. (These were known as "NAIRD awards" prior to the name change).

The AFIM Indie Awards were last issued in 2003, and the organization dissolved in 2004. The name "Indie Award" has since been adopted by the Canadian Music Week convention.