The Australian Technical Analysts Association - ATAA - is a not-for-profit association that has the primary aim of promoting the correct use of technical analysis. Membership consists of both professional technical analysts and private individuals who use technical analysis to assist with decisions related to trading and investing in the financial markets. The focus of the Association is the provision of education to enable members to be more effective traders and investors. In addition to this, the ATAA also has the following aims: a) To establish personal contacts between analysts both inside and outside Australia with a view to promoting the theory and practice of technical analysis. b) To help raise the level of community awareness and respect for technical analysis. c) To provide meetings and encourage the interchange of materials, ideas and information in order to add to the knowledge of members. d) To encourage the highest professional ethics and competence among technical analysts. Founded by a small group of technical analysts who met on a regular basis, the Association was officially launched on 26 April 1990. Membership is varied in employment, geography, market interest and approach to the markets. Current members include corporate treasurers, mid managers, bank analysts and traders, stockbrokers, financial planners, private and local traders, investors and students. The ATAA is affiliated with the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA) which helps members keep abreast of international markets and techniques. All ATAA members are therefore colleagues of IFTA and are entitled to attend the annual IFTA conference at reduced rates. ATAA members are also eligible to enroll in IFTA's education program, which provides two an internationally recognized qualifications in technical analysis.