The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is the first and only not-for-profit trade organization of the audiobook industry in the United States.
"[2] Activities include national consumer surveys, gathering of industry statistics, trade-show exhibits, a newsletter and an annual conference.
[2] The APA was founded in May 1986,[3][4] when five to nine audiobook publishers joined together to form the organization initially to address the need for industry statistics, such as sales and member numbers.
[8] The first APA president was Seth Gershel who was also Simon & Schuster's director of sales.
[9] In 1996, APA founded the Audie Awards, which AudioFile magazine called the "Oscars of the audiobook industry".