Wallcoverings
Wallcoverings Association is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1940 that represents wallcovering manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and specialty manufacturers through tiered membership, industry standards (NSF/ANSI 342, W-101, W-102), events, and advocacy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1940
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Wallcoverings does
The Wallcoverings Association (WA) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1940 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, representing the North American wallcoverings industry. It serves four membership categories — manufacturers (tiered by sales volume), distributors/converters, associates/suppliers, and specialty manufacturers — with annual dues ranging from $4,300 to $12,150. The association operates with 1–10 staff and is managed by Bostrom, a third-party association management company.
WA's core products and underlying technology are its industry standards and certification programs. The association co-developed the NSF/ANSI 342 Sustainability Standard (the first sustainability standard for wallcoverings, completed in 2012 with NSF International through the ANSI consensus process), alongside proprietary W-101 and W-102 quality standards covering polymer coated fabric and alternative materials. The organization also produces industry-average Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), publishes the WA Allman Award, and runs tiered sponsorship (Platinum/Gold/Silver), flagship events (Annual Meeting, TecTrac), recurring webinars, and sample books for designers and students.
Revenue is generated primarily through annual membership dues and corporate sponsorships, supplemented by event registrations (e.g., TecTrac at $550 for members, $699 for non-members), sample book sales, and partner-driven services (HR consulting via The Workplace Advisors). The association is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from member companies including J. Josephson, York Wallcoverings, Koroseal, MDC, Momentum, and Roysons, and runs industry initiatives including the WallForce Committee partnering with IUPAT and WIA for installer workforce development.
Wallcoverings firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wallcoverings
- Legal name
- Wallcoverings Association
- Website
- https://wallcoverings.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1940
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Wallcoverings Association is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1940 that represents wallcovering manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and specialty manufacturers through tiered membership, industry standards (NSF/ANSI 342, W-101, W-102), events, and advocacy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wallcoverings industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Wallcoverings (Wallpaper, Vinyl, Fabric) (IMADAKAG)
Keywords
Where Wallcoverings is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wallcoverings business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and specialty manufacturers based on company type and sales volume tiers. This is the primary revenue stream supporting association operations.
- Sponsorship Program: Annual sponsorship program with Platinum, Gold, and Silver tiers running January to December. Sponsors receive brand visibility and partnership benefits with the wallcovering industry's most influential leaders.
- Sample Books and Publications: Sale of sample books to students and interior designers, with free copies available to students and designers upon request. Additional publications and brochures available for purchase.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Manufacturers - Level 1 (Less than $1M sales) |
| Subscription | Annual | Manufacturers - Level 2 ($1M to $5M sales) |
| Subscription | Annual | Manufacturers - Level 3 ($5M to $10M sales) |
| Subscription | Annual | Manufacturers - Level 4 ($10M to $20M sales) |
| Subscription | Annual | Manufacturers - Level 5 (More than $20M sales) |
| Subscription | Annual | Associate/Supplier |
| Subscription | Annual | Specialty Manufacturers/Product Designers |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | TecTrac 2026 Event Registration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Wallcoverings product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Wallcoverings Association is a nonprofit trade association that delivers membership programs, industry events (Annual Meeting, TecTrac, webinars), proprietary quality and sustainability standards (W-101, W-102, NSF/ANSI 342), Environmental Product Declarations, certification programs, advocacy, and educational resources to manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and specialty manufacturers in the wallcoverings industry. The association is the sole developer of the NSF/ANSI 342 Sustainability Standard, with over 2,000 wallcovering styles certified to it.
Product overview
The Wallcoverings Association is a nonprofit trade association offering membership programs for manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and specialty manufacturers within the wallcoverings industry. The association organizes events including the Annual Meeting and TecTrac (hands-on training), publishes industry standards (W-101, W-102, NSF/ANSI 342), and provides educational resources through the Residential and Commercial Resource Centers. It also offers the WA Allman Award recognizing industry leadership and publishes Environmental Product Declarations for vinyl wallcoverings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Manufacturer Membership Membership category for companies that manufacture commercial or residential wallcovering products, including specialty products like handcrafted or art-house production. Dues are tiered by annual wallcoverings product sales volume, ranging from $4,300 (under $1M sales) to $12,150 (over $20M sales).
- Distributor/Converter Membership Membership category for companies that sell multiple brands or lines of wallcovering products to end users. Converters can create brands or product lines but do not manufacture. Provides access to certified manufacturer networks, industry trends, and the NSF 342 certification pathway for distributed products.
- Associate/Supplier Membership Membership category for companies engaged in supplying goods and services to the manufacturing and/or distribution segments of the wallcoverings industry, including tool installation manufacturers, sundries, inventory management software, ERP, adhesives, backings, printers, and samples/design services. Annual dues of $8,160.
- Specialty Manufacturer/Product Designer Membership Membership category for small companies with handcrafted or art-house type of production, focusing on digital, hand-painted, acoustic, wood panel, and specialty surface products. Annual dues of $4,300.
- WA Annual Meeting Annual association meeting providing attendees an opportunity to hear from relevant speakers, network with peers and business associates, and work on WA initiatives. The 2027 edition is scheduled for February 7-10, 2027 in Bonita Springs, Florida.
- TecTrac Annual hands-on training and information event covering manufacturing, installation, and servicing of customer complaints in the wallcoverings industry. TecTrac 2026 takes place in September 2026 at the Finishing Trades Institute of Chicago in Berkeley, Illinois, bringing together production and installation sides of the industry. Registration: $550 members / $699 non-members.
- Year-Round Webinars Educational webinars presented at WA events and provided throughout the year with timely industry information covering workplace trends, sales culture, AI for distribution, economic updates, and sustainability topics.
- W-101 Quality Standard WA Quality Standard for Polymer Coated Fabric Wallcovering designed to ensure consistent performance and quality. Covers attributes including weight, physical strength, tear properties, flammability, UV fade resistance, stain resistance, and scrubbability. Being incorporated into the NSF 342 sustainability standard.
- W-102 Quality Standard WA Quality Standard extending consistent performance and quality to materials beyond polymer coated fabric. Creates a pathway for alternative materials such as plastics, stone surfaces, or textiles to undergo the same scrutiny as wallcoverings passing the W-101 standard.
- NSF/ANSI 342 Sustainability Standard Sustainability Standard for Wallcoverings developed through ANSI process with industry, customers/user groups, and public health representatives. Evaluates wallcovering products across their entire life cycle from raw material extraction through end-of-life disposal. Products certified as Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Compliant. Over 2,000 wallcovering styles certified as of 2019.
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) Industry-average Environmental Product Declarations for vinyl wallcoverings on both woven and nonwoven backings, developed by IGI and third-party certified (ISO 14025). Accepted globally for contributing credits in LEED v4's Material and Resources Credit 2.
- WA Allman Award Annual award (the industry's highest honor) recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions through personal, corporate, technical, product, or marketing achievements that have benefited the wallcoverings industry. Recent recipients include Shelly Bixler (2025), Gary Rizzo (2024), Marybeth Shaw (2023), Gina Shaw (2022), Mark Goodman (2021), and Larry Bixler (2019, 2020).
- Sample Books Physical sample books containing wallcovering samples available for purchase, with free copies available to students and interior designers upon request for design reference.
- Residential Resource Center Educational resource center for do-it-yourselfers including step-by-step hanging instructions, estimating techniques, decorating tips, and guides covering types of wallcoverings, cleaning, and common problems.
- Commercial Resource Center Technical information and resources for commercial wallcovering specification, including product details, planning guidelines, matching to decor, hiring contractors, and environmental issues.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,000 wallcovering styles certified to NSF 342 sustainability standard
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Wallcoverings
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Wallcoverings technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Wallcoverings partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NSF InternationalcoreWA partnered with NSF to develop and certify the NSF/ANSI 342 Sustainability Standard for wallcovering products. NSF serves as the accredited third-party certification body testing and certifying products. Vanessa Fantich handles WA proposals at NSF.
- The Workplace Advisors HR GroupcoreWA partnered with The Workplace Advisors to provide members with expert HR guidance and support services including unlimited HR compliance consulting, custom Employee Handbook services, monthly legislative updates, and recruiting services at exclusive discounted rates. All initial consultations are free for WA members.
- Finishing Chicago (Finishing Trades Institute of Chicago)corePartner for TecTrac event, hosting hands-on training and demonstrations for wallcovering installation at their facility in Berkeley, Illinois. Provides live event venue for industry education combining production and installation sides of the industry.
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)coreWA developed the NSF/ANSI 342 standard through ANSI's consensus-based, public process involving manufacturers, suppliers, regulatory agencies, customers, end-users, academia, and other industry participants.
- Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA)minorWA W-101 standard replaced the previous CFFA-W-101D industry standard that was limited to commercial wallcoverings. The WA standard applies to a broader range of polymer coatings including vinyl alternatives.
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)coreWA WallForce Committee works in partnership with IUPAT to recruit wall installers and educate the next generation of installers. IUPAT provides training programs through Indian Valley Foundations and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Wallcoverings Installers Association (WIA)coreWA partners with WIA to promote the wallcovering installation profession and provide training through Wallcovering University. WIA hosts annual conventions (2026 in Virginia Beach, Virginia) for installer networking and education.
- IGI - The Global Wallcovering AssociationminorEPDs developed through IGI, published by Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V. (IBU). IGI serves as the global wallcovering industry body for environmental product declarations.
- Vinyl InstituteminorWA references Vinyl Institute resources for information on vinyl environmental performance. Vinyl Institute monitors and communicates vinyl's environmental characteristics.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wallcoverings competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Vinyl Institute: Industry association for vinyl producers. WA references the Vinyl Institute for vinyl environmental performance data, and many WA manufacturer members sit in the vinyl value chain — a material-supplier peer relationship.
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): Operator of the LEED green building rating system, which directly incorporates WA's NSF/ANSI 342 contributions. Comparable as an enabling standards/advocacy organization shaping the policy environment for WA's members.
Broad incumbents
- International Interior Design Association (IIDA): Global commercial interior design association. Comparable trade/professional body serving a related customer segment (designers and specifiers) that influences wallcovering selection.
- National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA): Trade association for the kitchen and bath industry, with adjacent residential interior finishes exposure. Comparable specialty trade body driving standards, education, and member events in a related category.
- American Society of Interior Designers (ASID): Professional association for interior designers, a key end-customer audience for WA members. Comparable in being a membership-based industry body serving the interior finishes/specification market.
- Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI): Trade association representing contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers in the wall and ceiling industry. Broader scope than WA but overlapping membership in commercial interior construction finishes.
- Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI): Trade association for resilient floor covering manufacturers. Operates as a comparable specialty surfacing trade body with similar sustainability/EPD programs and member-driven standards work.
Direct peers
- Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA): Industry association for chemical fabrics and film producers. WA's W-101 standard replaced the prior CFFA-W-101D, making CFFA a closely related peer in wallcovering material standards.
- IGI - The Global Wallcovering Association: The international counterpart to WA, representing the global wallcoverings industry. WA explicitly coordinates EPDs and global standards through IGI, making them directly comparable trade bodies serving overlapping constituents.
- Wallcoverings Installers Association (WIA): Trade association for wallcovering installers. WA partners with WIA on training and installer recruitment, and both organizations serve adjacent parts of the same wallcoverings value chain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wallcoverings social profiles
Digital presenceWallcoverings compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Wallcoverings financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wallcoverings leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Wallcoverings funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wallcoverings M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wallcoverings
What does Wallcoverings do?
The Wallcoverings Association is a nonprofit trade association that delivers membership programs, industry events (Annual Meeting, TecTrac, webinars), proprietary quality and sustainability standards (W-101, W-102, NSF/ANSI 342), Environmental Product Declarations, certification programs, advocacy, and educational resources to manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and specialty manufacturers in the wallcoverings industry. The association is the sole developer of the NSF/ANSI 342 Sustainability Standard, with over 2,000 wallcovering styles certified to it.
Is Wallcoverings a public or private company?
Wallcoverings is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Wallcoverings founded?
Wallcoverings was founded in 1940. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Wallcoverings based?
Wallcoverings is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wallcoverings make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Program and sample Books and Publications.
Who are Wallcoverings's main competitors?
Others on record are Vinyl Institute and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Broad incumbents are International Interior Design Association (IIDA), National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) and Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI). Direct peers are Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA), IGI - The Global Wallcovering Association and Wallcoverings Installers Association (WIA).
Does Wallcoverings have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wallcoverings.
What industry is Wallcoverings in?
Wallcoverings's product category is Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAKAG, Specialty Wallcoverings (Wallpaper, Vinyl, Fabric). Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.