Portable Sanitation Association International

What Portable Sanitation Association International does

The Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1971 to represent the portable sanitation industry worldwide. The organization serves more than 400 member companies operating across six continents, spanning small independent operators to large enterprise providers such as United Site Services, Honey Bucket, Satellite Industries, Coates Hire, and John To Go. PSAI is governed by an elected board and operated by a lean staff of approximately four employees supported by more than 40 volunteers.

PSAI's core offering is built around four product pillars: (1) ANSI-accredited standards development (IAPMO Z1000 and PS-1) that codify industry design and operational practices; (2) professional certification programs, including the Certified Portable Sanitation Operator (CPSO) and Registered Sanitation Specialist credentials, delivered through the Path LMS learning platform; (3) live events, principally the Annual Convention & Trade Show (drawing 700+ attendees) and the newer EDGE Summit; and (4) industry advocacy and government-relations work, including participation in the National Septage Disposal Crisis Alliance Task Force and whitepaper publishing. International reach is extended through alliances with Portable Sanitation Europe (PSE) and EUROTOI.

The business model is a classic nonprofit association structure. Revenue is generated through tiered membership dues (Titanium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver tiers), event registrations priced between $175 and $1,050 per attendee, certification exam and renewal fees, training program sales, and advertising in PSAI publications. Group benefits—including insurance and member purchasing programs—add a secondary revenue and retention layer. With four full-time staff and a volunteer-driven operating model, the organization runs at a high volunteer-to-employee ratio, indicating modest fixed-cost overhead relative to its member base.

Name

Portable Sanitation Association International

Legal name

Portable Sanitation Association International

Website

https://psai.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Portable Sanitation Association International is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1971, serving 400+ portable sanitation companies across six continents with ANSI-accredited standards, professional certifications, annual conventions, and regulatory advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Social Compliance & Labor Standards Certification (SMETA/SA8000) (AFALAMAM)

Keywords

• Portable sanitation industry
• Trade association services
• Professional certification programs
• Industry standards development
• Training and education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

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: PSAI generates revenue through membership fees from portable restroom operators, industry suppliers, and brokers. Membership levels include Gold, Silver, Titanium, and Platinum tiers with varying benefits.
2. Training Programs: Revenue from in-person training, live web broadcasts, and on-demand courses through the PSAI Learning Center (Path LMS). Training covers transportation, logistics, servicing, maintenance, health, safety, special events, and extreme weather preparation.
3. Certification Exams: Revenue from CPSP and CPSA certification exams for portable sanitation professionals. Certification valid for three years before renewal.
4. Event Registrations and Sponsorships: Revenue from Annual Convention & Trade Show registration fees (trade show only, full convention, full convention with training day), exhibitor booth fees, sponsorships, and advertising. EDGE Summit also generates event revenue.
5. Supplier/Advertiser Resources: Revenue from sponsor prospectus sales, print & digital advertising, and supplier visibility kit purchases.
6. Standards Publications: ANSI standards available for purchase through the PSAI online store. Members receive free access to standards; non-members can purchase them.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

PSAI is a nonprofit international trade association that serves the portable sanitation industry through tiered membership (Gold, Silver, Titanium, Platinum), professional training via the Basic Service Technician Training Series, two-level CPSP/CPSA certification, and two flagship annual events (the Annual Convention and Trade Show and the EDGE Summit). It develops and maintains ANSI standards (Z4.3 and Z4.4), publishes the Code of Excellence, advocates for the industry, and operates the PSAI Learning Center on Path LMS. Revenue is generated from membership dues, event registrations and sponsorships, certification and training fees, advertising, and sale of ANSI standards.

Product overview

The Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) is a trade association serving the portable sanitation industry with a comprehensive portfolio of educational, certification, and networking products. The core offerings center on the Basic Service Technician Training Series (BSTT), which delivers training in Transportation & Logistics, Servicing & Maintenance, and Health, Safety & Professional Excellence through Path LMS, and the two-tier certification program (CPSA and CPSP) for portable sanitation professionals. These training products serve as preparation for PSAI certification and satisfy licensing requirements in states like Illinois and Georgia. The association also hosts premier events including the Annual Convention and Trade Show (the world's largest portable restroom trade show with 700+ attendees) and the EDGE Summit for leadership development. PSAI recognizes industry excellence through three awards: The Andy Gump Award (prestigious industry honor), Service Tech of the Year Award, and Flay and Glenda Anthony Volunteer of the Year Award. The association provides public and member resources including an Operator Directory, Supplier Directory, Code of Excellence, ANSI standards (Z4.3 and Z4.4), and various educational guides. With over 400 member companies across the globe, PSAI's product portfolio combines training/certification programs with industry events, awards, standards development, and member resources to serve and advance portable sanitation worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PSAI Membership Annual membership in PSAI providing portable restroom operators, industry suppliers, and brokers with access to training, certification, industry standards, advocacy, networking events, and exclusive resources. Available in Gold, Silver, Titanium, and Platinum tiers with varying benefit levels and billed annually.
• Basic Service Technician Training Series (BSTT) A three-module training series covering Transportation & Logistics, Servicing & Maintenance, and Health, Safety & Professional Excellence for portable sanitation professionals. Available in U.S. English and Universal Spanish versions and delivered in-person, via live web broadcast, and on-demand through the PSAI Learning Center. Accepted for licensing in Illinois and Georgia and for continuing education in many states. Includes 6 hours of recorded material plus 3 comprehension quizzes.
• CPSP and CPSA Certification Program A two-level professional certification for portable sanitation front-line workers. CPSA is for those with less than 2,000 hours of experience; CPSP is for those with 2,000+ hours. Certification is valid for three years before renewal. Upgrade from CPSA to CPSP is available at no additional cost with documentation.
• PSAI Annual Convention and Trade Show The world's largest portable restroom trade show attracting 700+ attendees annually. Features trade show floor, exhibitors, educational sessions, roundtables, keynotes, awards ceremonies, and networking opportunities. The 2026 edition is scheduled for November 3-5, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
• PSAI EDGE Summit A premier education and leadership conference focused on Education, Development, Growth, and Excellence. Offers expert-led education, panel discussions, roundtable conversations, and networking for portable sanitation professionals. The 2027 edition is scheduled for March 8-10, 2027 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• ANSI/PSAI Z4.3 and Z4.4 Standards Two American National Standards developed by PSAI as an ANSI-accredited standards developer. Z4.3 covers nonsewered waste disposal systems at places of employment; Z4.4 covers use by the general public. Available for purchase through the PSAI online store; members receive free access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45 billion gallons of fresh water saved annually through use of portable restrooms
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Septage Disposal Crisis Alliance Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025PSAI partnered with the National Septage Disposal Crisis Alliance Task Force to create a comprehensive whitepaper addressing sustainable septage disposal - one of the most pressing challenges in the portable sanitation industry.
• American Rental Association (ARA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARA is an international trade association for equipment rental operations. PSAI members receive ARA's weekly email newsletter and monthly rental industry magazine, special rates for purchasing ARA training products relevant to portable sanitation, member rates for attending the annual ARA Rental Show, and access to the ARA business insurance program.
• WWETT ShowcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWater & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show is an unaffiliated trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals. PSAI members receive special discounts and participate in PSAI-sponsored education at the WWETT Show each year.
• Portable Sanitation Europe (PSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2000, PSE and its members have been recognized by many local and national organizations as leaders in portable toilet and sanitation provision in Europe. PSAI's European affiliate association.
• EUROTOIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2009, EUROTOI is a portable sanitation trade show held every March in Germany. Includes the European Portable Sanitation Group meeting with representatives from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, Austria, Czechia, Italy, and Spain.
• Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services (OASIS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth American nonprofit alliance collaborating with PSAI in the delivery of portable sanitation industry information, education, and training.
• Waste Water Nova Scotia Society (WWNS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth American nonprofit alliance collaborating with PSAI in delivery of portable sanitation industry information, education, and training.
• National Onsite Wastewater Recycling AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth American nonprofit alliance collaborating with PSAI in delivery of portable sanitation industry information, education, and training.
• National Association of Wastewater TechniciansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth American nonprofit alliance collaborating with PSAI in delivery of portable sanitation industry information, education, and training.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSAI is an ANSI-accredited standards developer. ANSI oversees creation, promulgation, and use of thousands of norms and guidelines impacting businesses in nearly every sector. PSAI has published two ANSI standards specific to portable sanitation.
• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)minorOthersPSAI and its staff are members of ASAE, following the work to help achieve PSAI's vision. Organizational membership providing industry resources and support.
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)minorOthersPSAI and its staff are members of SHRM as part of organizational memberships helping achieve PSAI's vision.
• Event Safety Alliance (ESA)minorOthersPSAI and its staff are members of ESA as part of organizational memberships helping achieve PSAI's vision.
• International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)minorOthersPSAI and its staff are members of IAEE as part of organizational memberships helping achieve PSAI's vision.
• Associations NorthminorOthersPSAI and its staff are members of Associations North as part of organizational memberships helping achieve PSAI's vision.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• American Water Works Association (AWWA): Largest nonprofit scientific and educational association for water utility professionals. Comparable as an established water-sector association with similar membership, ANSI standards development, certification, and conference-driven business model.
• Water Environment Federation (WEF): Global not-for-profit technical and educational organization for water quality professionals. Comparable as an adjacent water/wastewater association with member training, certification, standards, and a major annual event (WEFTEC).
• American Rental Association (ARA): International trade association for equipment rental operations, including portable sanitation operators that rent restroom units. Comparable as a broader industry association with overlapping membership, training products, and an annual trade show (ARA Rental Show).
• International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO): International association developing model plumbing and mechanical codes with ANSI-accredited standards. Comparable as a sanitation-adjacent standards developer and certification body serving overlapping audiences and regulators.
• National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA): Largest US trade association representing the private waste and recycling industry, including portable sanitation haulers. Comparable as a broader incumbent association with similar advocacy, training, certification, and event-driven business model.

Emerging players

• World Toilet Organization: Global nonprofit advocacy organization focused on sanitation access and toilet-related issues. Comparable as an emerging player in the broader sanitation ecosystem with overlapping global sanitation and water-conservation mission.

Direct peers

• National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA): North American nonprofit association focused on onsite wastewater treatment, with overlapping membership in the decentralized sanitation ecosystem. Comparable as a peer trade association addressing regulatory, training, and certification needs for an adjacent sanitation niche.
• Portable Sanitation Europe (PSE): PSAI's European affiliate trade association, founded in 2000, representing portable toilet and sanitation providers across Europe. Directly comparable as a regional peer with similar membership, standards advocacy, and training missions.
• EUROTOI: European portable sanitation trade body and trade show held annually in Germany since 2009. Directly comparable as a peer association serving portable sanitation operators in Europe with a strong event and standards focus.

Regional players

• Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services (OASIS): Canadian nonprofit association for the sewage and portable sanitation industry. Comparable as a regional peer association collaborating with PSAI on information, education, and training delivery in North America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Portable Sanitation Association International