What Advanced Textiles Association does

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is a not-for-profit trade association founded on September 12, 1912, in Denver, Colorado, and currently headquartered in Roseville, Minnesota. It represents the international specialty fabrics and technical textiles marketplace through 1,400+ member companies — ranging from one-person fabrication shops to multinational corporations — and 14,600+ individual member contacts across more than 60 countries. The organization serves manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, fabricators, and converters operating in verticals including awnings, geosynthetics, marine, tent rental, fabric structures, military textiles, narrow fabrics, and emerging textile technologies, with regional divisions in Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and China.

ATA's core deliverables are structured around membership tiers (General, Basic, Affiliate, Individual, Council, Chapter, Student, Education Institution, and Digital Content — pricing from free to $18,200 annually depending on revenue class and association) plus an ecosystem of publications, events, and member groups. Six award-winning magazines — led by Specialty Fabrics Review in print since 1915 — anchor the content franchise, supplemented by the Talking Textiles podcast, a video technical library, a webinar library, and regulatory resource centers for PFAS and disaster response. ATA's flagship Advanced Textiles Expo attracts 4,000+ attendees, and the association runs six additional conferences and summits annually (Geosynthetics, Marine Fabricators, Tent, Outlook Leadership, Women in Textiles Summit, Upholstery & Trim). Member-facing tools include the Member Directory, Buyer's Guides, the Master Fabric Craftsman (MFC) certification, the ATA Leadership Academy, the CONNECT by ATA community platform, and the Textile Career Center.

The business model is a hybrid of subscription (membership dues — the largest stream), advertising (print and digital in six publications), transaction-based fees (event registrations, exhibitor booths, sponsorships, e-store sales), professional services (MFC certification), and affiliate referral economics (member benefit partnerships with insurance, shipping, equipment financing, payments, and branded merchandise vendors). Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Governance is via a member-elected Board of Directors, with no parent company, institutional investors, or funding rounds disclosed.

Name

Advanced Textiles Association

Legal name

Advanced Textiles Association

Website

https://textiles.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Advanced Textiles Association is a 113-year-old not-for-profit trade association representing 1,400+ member companies and 14,600+ professionals across 60+ countries in the specialty fabrics and technical textiles industry, delivering publications, events, certification, advocacy, and member services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers (42435), All Other Textile Product Mills (31499)

SIC

Textile Mill Products (2200), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Textiles & Fabric / Piece Goods Wholesale (CRAOADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainable & Certified Materials (Organic, Recycled, Traceable) (CRAAAMAK)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Specialty fabrics industry
• Textile industry events
• Industry publications
• Professional networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from 1,400+ member companies across multiple tiers (General, Basic, Affiliate, Individual, Council, Chapter, Student, Education Institution, Digital Content) with pricing ranging from free to $18,200 annually based on company type and revenue class.
2. Advertising: ATA generates revenue through print and digital advertising in its award-winning publications including Specialty Fabrics Review, Geosynthetics, Marine Fabricator, Fabric Architecture, InTents, and Textile Technology Source. Members receive a 3% discount on print advertising.
3. Events and Conferences: Revenue from event registrations, exhibitor fees, and sponsorships for flagship events including Advanced Textiles Expo (4,000+ attendees), Geosynthetics Conference, Marine Fabricators Conference, Tent Conference/Expo, Outlook Leadership Conference, Women in Textiles Summit, and Upholstery & Trim Annual Convention.
4. Shop/Store: Revenue from sale of Buyer's Guides, specifications, on-demand webinars, market research, magazine issues, and branded merchandise through the ATA store and Brand Store (operated via Lands' End partnership).
5. Certification Programs: Revenue from certification programs including Master Fabric Craftsman (MFC) certification with fees of $275 member / $400 nonmember for initial certification and $100 member / $175 nonmember for renewal every 3 years.
6. Member Benefit Program Partnerships: ATA partners with benefit providers (health insurance, retirement plans, business insurance, equipment financing, shipping discounts) offering members exclusive access. While primary benefits are free to members, ATA facilitates relationships that may generate referral or partnership revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Advanced Textiles Association is a not-for-profit trade association that fundamentally sells membership in a global industry community representing manufacturers, suppliers, fabricators and distributors of specialty and technical textiles. Its revenue-generating offerings include tiered membership subscriptions, advertising across six industry publications, exhibitor and registration fees for flagship and niche trade events, professional certification programs (MFC), an online store selling Buyer's Guides and branded merchandise, and member-benefit program partnerships.

Product overview

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is a trade association offering a comprehensive portfolio of membership-based services rather than a unified software product. The core offering centers on membership with benefits including access to events (Advanced Textiles Expo, Geosynthetics Conference, Marine Fabricators Conference, Tent Conference/Expo, Outlook Leadership Conference, Women In Textiles Summit, Upholstery & Trim Annual Convention), publications (Specialty Fabrics Review, Marine Fabricator, InTents, Geosynthetics, Fabric Architecture, Textile Technology Source), member groups (Marine Fabricators Association, Tent Rental Division, Geosynthetic Materials Association, Fabric Structures Association, Military Division, Emerging Technologies Council, Workforce Development Council, USINFI, Professional Awning Manufacturers Association), and regional divisions (ATA Canada, ATA Japan, ATA New Zealand). Supporting resources include CONNECT by ATA community platform, Textile Career Center, Video Technical Library, Webinar Library, Talking Textiles podcast, PFAS Resource Center, Disaster Resource Center, and ATA Leadership Academy. ATA also administers award programs including International Achievement Awards, MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards, Chairman's Award, Honored Life Member Award, and Outstanding Volunteer Award. Sourcing tools include the Member Directory and Buyer's Guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Specialty Fabrics Review: ATA's flagship magazine, in print since 1915, covering the specialty fabrics and technical textiles industry.
• Marine Fabricator
• InTents
• Geosynthetics
• Fabric Architecture
• Textile Technology Source
• Advanced Textiles Expo
• CONNECT by ATA
• Talking Textiles
• ATA Leadership Academy

Products and services

• Advanced Textiles Expo ATA's flagship trade show (formerly IFAI Expo) bringing together 4,000+ attendees and hundreds of exhibitors for product demonstrations, networking and industry education in the advanced textiles market.
• Specialty Fabrics Review Magazine ATA's flagship magazine serving as the definitive voice of the specialty fabrics and technical textiles industry with award-winning print and digital content.
• Marine Fabricator Magazine Official publication of ATA's Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), delivering craftsmanship techniques and how-to information for marine fabrication enterprises.
• InTents Magazine Official publication of ATA's Tent Rental Division (TRD), providing information needed to stage and host safe, successful tented events.
• Geosynthetics Magazine Official publication of ATA's Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) featuring geosynthetic products, applications and services for civil engineers, distributors, contractors and developers.
• Fabric Architecture Magazine Official publication of ATA's Fabric Structures Association (FSA) and Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA), inspiring and educating readers about fabric as an innovative building material.
• Textile Technology Source Online-only publication covering the latest innovations and research in advanced textiles markets; official publication of ATA's Emerging Technologies Council (ETC).
• Geosynthetics Conference Annual conference for practitioners, designers, regulators, contractors and installers featuring a show floor, short courses, plenary sessions, and roundtables.
• Upholstery & Trim Annual Convention (UTAC) Exclusive annual convention bringing together manufacturers, distributors and jobbers in the upholstery and trim industry for business meetings and relationship building.
• Marine Fabricators Conference Three-day conference for marine fabricators featuring education and networking designed to help improve efficiency and increase revenue.
• Tent Conference and Tent Expo Annual conference and expo for tent rental professionals featuring education, hands-on instruction, equipment exhibits and industry supplier connections.
• Outlook Leadership Conference Annual conference for U.S. manufacturers and fabricators to discuss industry trends, policy issues and business development.
• Women In Textiles Summit Summit featuring education, networking and dialogue about important issues affecting women in business within the textiles industry.
• CONNECT by ATA ATA's online community platform where members can collaborate, share knowledge and resources, participate in discussions, post updates and engage in networking opportunities.
• Textile Career Center Job board platform connecting employers and job seekers in the textile industry, allowing companies to post jobs and candidates to search positions.
• ATA Leadership Academy Comprehensive leadership development program launched in Fall 2023 offering advanced training to textile professionals through partnerships with Center for Creative Leadership, Lake Forest Center for Leadership and Battlefield Leadership.
• Master Fabric Craftsman (MFC) Certification Professional certification program recognizing individuals for superior knowledge, skills, experience and dedication in marine specialties product design, craftsmanship and installation. Initial certification $275 member / $400 nonmember; $100/$175 renewal every 3 years.
• International Achievement Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding and innovative projects representing the latest accomplishments in design and manufacture incorporating specialty fabrics.
• PFAS Resource Center Online resource guide providing up-to-date information on PFAS regulations at state and federal levels to help textile companies navigate complex compliance requirements.
• Disaster Resource Center Resource guide offering articles and curated resources to help the industry prepare for and respond to disasters like floods, wildfires and other emergencies.
• Video Technical Library Members-only video library consisting of instructional videos covering sewing techniques, equipment operation, material handling and industry-specific manufacturing processes.
• Webinar Library Archive of educational webinars covering topics including new products, sustainability, technical content, business management and industry-specific applications.
• Talking Textiles Podcast ATA's monthly podcast featuring insider views, best practices and tips from successful companies in the industrial fabric market.
• Member Directory Searchable database of all ATA members and their products and services, enabling buyers to find suppliers in the textile industry.
• Buyer's Guides Comprehensive company directories of suppliers with thousands of products across the entire textile supply chain, available to members and non-members.
• Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA) Member group for manufacturers, designers, engineers and installers of awnings, shade, signage and architectural products.
• Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Member group representing marine fabricators and establishing standards of excellence for business practices, products and craftsmanship.
• Tent Rental Division (TRD) Member group representing companies in the commercial tent marketplace, promoting safety and hosting Tent Expo and Tent Conference.
• Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) Central resource for geosynthetics in the United States, providing engineering support, business development, educational programming, government relations, and industry recognition.
• Fabric Structures Association (FSA) Member group promoting the use of fabric structures among architects, engineers, suppliers and fabricators, influencing building code development.
• Military Division Member group providing networking, education, trade advocacy and specification information for companies doing business with domestic or international military textiles markets.
• Emerging Technologies Council (ETC) Council providing current information on research, best practices and innovative knowledge to advance emerging technologies within materials, products and processes.
• Workforce Development Council Council working to find solutions for workforce challenges in the textile industry by building and training the sewing, fabricating and manufacturing workforce.
• U.S. Industrial and Narrow Fabrics Institute (USINFI) Coalition of U.S. specialty and narrow fabric manufacturers and users, monitoring and advocating for member positions in legislative and regulatory issues.
• ATA Canada Regional division promoting the welfare of the Canadian industrial textile industry and improving the status of members in the community.
• ATA Japan Regional division representing the Japanese specialty fabrics industry and strengthening the Japanese marketplace.
• ATA New Zealand Regional division (formerly OFPANZ) dedicated to promoting, developing and protecting the manufacture, trading and marketing of outdoor fabric products.
• ATA Membership Subscriptions Tiered annual membership subscriptions including General, Basic, Affiliate, Individual, Council (GMA, USINFI), Chapter (ATA Japan, ATA New Zealand), Student (free), Education Institution (free) and Digital Content ($100/yr) at $100 to $18,200 annually based on company type and revenue class.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,400+ member companies served across 60+ countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cannaday Wealth ManagementminorOthersProvides Textile Industry Retirement Plan as an ATA member benefit program. The plan acts as one large 401(k) and provides access to competitive investment options for U.S. ATA members. Contact: Tucker Rohde, Financial Advisor.
• JAM Growth PartnersminorOthersProvides Tax-Advantaged Wellness & Preventative Care Program for ATA members, offering $0 virtual primary and urgent care, $0 prescriptions, and mental health support. Contact: Jeremiah Drobney, President.
• Forrest T. Jones & CompanycoreOthersATA's preferred insurance broker for nearly 70 years, providing cost-effective and industry-specific insurance solutions including property, inland marine, general liability, auto liability, workers compensation, cyber liability, and EPLI coverage.
• GRL (Glen Raven)coreOthersManages Preferred Shipping program offering exclusive FedEx discounts: 42% on FedEx Express and 37% on FedEx Ground for U.S. & Canada ATA members. Also provides complete freight & logistics solutions including LTL, TL, air, expedited, and warehousing.
• CardConnect (Fiserv)minorOthersProvides payment acceptance solutions with Level II & III wholesale pricing, faster funding, real-time reporting, PCI compliance, and patented security for U.S. and Canada ATA members.
• SCL Equipment FinanceminorOthersNationwide equipment financing and working capital for businesses with options including conservation of capital, technology upgrades, tax advantages, and low monthly payments. No financials needed up to $350k for ATA members.
• Sunbelt Franchise Re-SalesminorOthersComprehensive business resale program for franchisees and business owners looking to sell, providing access to world's largest business brokerage network with resources for exit strategies and succession planning.
• Standards StoresminorOthersProvides ISO certification products with documentation templates and training for ATA members. Offers ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and other standards.
• Radar Talent SolutionsminorOthersRecruitment and consulting firm providing ATA members with free discovery session and 20% discount on paid consulting services related to advertising strategy, talent marketing, and recruitment.
• Principal Financial GroupminorOthersProvides business succession planning resources including informal business valuations and buy-sell agreement reviews through Cannaday Wealth Management partnership.
• Lands' EndminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for ATA Brand Store - branded merchandise storefront for ATA branded apparel and gear available through business.landsend.com/store/textiles/.
• Advanced Textiles Expo SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCompanies sponsoring Advanced Textiles Expo (formerly IFAI Expo), the textile industry's flagship show with 4,000+ attendees. Sponsorships available at multiple levels for event visibility.
• UTAC SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors of Upholstery & Trim Annual Convention including Chairman's Dinner, Reception, Chapstick, Lanyard, and Raffle sponsors at Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Silver levels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry): INDA is a U.S. trade association serving the nonwoven fabrics industry with conferences (Outlook), publications, training, and advocacy. It is directly comparable to ATA as a similarly structured specialty textile trade association offering membership services, events, and education.
• National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO): NCTO is the U.S. trade association representing the entire textile industry including fiber, yarn, fabric, and finished products. It is directly comparable to ATA given overlapping textile industry focus, government advocacy (especially on trade), and membership-driven event/education services.
• SEAMS (National Network for the Sewn Products Industry): SEAMS is a U.S. trade association for the sewn products industry, offering networking, education, and advocacy to U.S.-based sewn products manufacturers and contractors. It is comparable to ATA as a sibling textile/fabrication trade association serving overlapping manufacturing members.
• Textile Exchange: Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving sustainability in the textile industry through standards (e.g., GRS, OCS), the annual Textile Exchange Conference, and member education. It is comparable to ATA given its focus on textile/fabric industry standards, certification programs, and conferences targeting the same member base.

Broad incumbents

• American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA): AAFA is a broader trade association representing apparel, footwear, and sewn products companies. It is comparable to ATA as a larger, more general textile/apparel industry body with federal advocacy, events, and member services, but covers downstream finished goods rather than specialty/technical textiles.
• Outdoor Industry Association (OIA): OIA represents outdoor industry brands and suppliers, including those using technical textiles, performance fabrics, and specialty materials. It is comparable to ATA because several ATA member groups (Marine, Fabric Structures, Awnings) and member companies supply outdoor and adjacent technical textile markets.
• ASTM International: ASTM International develops technical standards for materials including textiles, fabrics, and geosynthetics. It is comparable to ATA because ATA's MFC certification, Fabric Structures Association codes, and GMA engineering resources intersect with ASTM standards; ATA members and FSA/GMA divisions participate in ASTM committees.
• Messe Frankfurt (Heimtextil, Texpertise Network): Messe Frankfurt operates Heimtextil, Texprocess, Techtextil, and other major textile trade fairs globally. It is comparable to ATA's Advanced Textiles Expo and other conferences as a competing organizer of large-scale textile industry exhibitions serving overlapping manufacturer, supplier, and buyer audiences.

Regional players

• CEMATEX (ITMA): CEMATEX organizes ITMA, the world's largest textile and garment machinery exhibition, held in Europe. It is comparable to ATA as a competing organizer of major textile industry exhibitions, though focused on machinery rather than specialty/technical fabric end products and based in Europe rather than North America.

Others

• Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF / IFAI Foundation): IFF is the charitable/research arm associated with ATA's predecessor IFAI, funding textile industry research and education. It is included as an OTHERS peer because it is organizationally linked to ATA itself, providing the research and workforce development context surrounding ATA's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ATA_Textiles
• Facebookfacebook.com/AdvancedTextilesAssoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advanced-textiles-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/advtextilesassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Advanced Textiles Association