CARIBBEAN DESALINATION ASSOCIATION

What CARIBBEAN DESALINATION ASSOCIATION does

The Caribbean Desalination Association (CaribDA) is a non-profit professional association incorporated in Florida on October 22, 2007 and launched in Curacao on June 4, 2008, dedicated to the development and promotion of desalination and water reuse in the Greater Caribbean region. It serves a cross-segment member base of approximately 140 organizations across 19 Caribbean countries, including water utilities, equipment suppliers, academic institutions, government water agencies, students, and young professionals. Its core offerings center on a biennial conference and exposition, regional technical training workshops (including the Membrane Operator Certification Training program), a quarterly newsletter, a Tech Publications Resource Center archiving past event presentations, a Membership Directory, the Young Leaders Program (launched 2016), and a Humanitarian Committee coordinating disaster-relief donations via the Pan American Development Foundation.

CaribDA monetizes through a tiered annual membership program (Corporations/Utilities $300, Small Companies/Universities/Non-Profits $200, Individuals $100, Additional Members $50, Students/Libraries $20 — billed on a calendar-year cycle as of 2026), biennial conference registration fees ($400-700), multi-tier sponsorships (Diamond $25,000, Platinum $12,500, Gold, Silver, Bronze, plus cultural/YLP sponsorships), exhibit booth rentals ($3,000 per 10'x8' booth), and advertising placements in the newsletter ($200-1,200) and on the website ($425-500 per 12-month banner). The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from sponsoring companies (Consolidated Water, TSG Water Resources, FEDCO, DuPont Water Solutions, Kurita America, Newterra, Water Authority-Cayman) and supported by an Administrative Director and small operations staff (approximately 5 people) based in Stuart, Florida.

The underlying technology platform is a standard WordPress website with Authorize.net payment processing; there is no proprietary software product, no mobile app, and no AI/ML capability disclosed. The organization's strategic moat rests on its 19-year operating history, IDA Affiliate Recognition (December 2007), cross-segment community density, biennial event cadence across rotating Caribbean venues, and institutional partnerships with IDA, CWWA, CAWASA, ALADYR, IHE Delft, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Name

CARIBBEAN DESALINATION ASSOCIATION

Legal name

Caribbean Desalination Association

Website

https://caribda.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Caribbean Desalination Association (CaribDA) is a Florida-incorporated non-profit professional association serving ~140 member organizations across 19 Caribbean countries through biennial conferences, regional training workshops, a Young Leaders Program, and a technical publications archive for the desalination and water reuse sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Industry Professional Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non‑Potable Reuse Utilities (Irrigation, Industrial, Cooling) (EUANAGAA), Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

Keywords

• Desalination professional association
• Water reuse industry network
• Membrane operator training
• Water treatment conferences
• Caribbean water utilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuart

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees billed on a calendar year cycle (January 1 – December 31). The association offers multiple membership classes including corporations/utilities, small companies, individuals, and students. Members receive access to conferences at discounted rates, publications, directory listings, and advertising discounts.
2. Conference Registration: Revenue from biennial conference registrations, including early bird and regular rates for members and non-members. Conference fees include access to technical sessions, meals, welcome reception, facility tours, and member meetings.
3. Conference Sponsorships: Sponsorship tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and special sponsorships (Cultural Night, YLP Networking) that provide branding opportunities, exhibit spaces, and complimentary registrations.
4. Exhibit Space Rental: Revenue from exhibitors who rent booth spaces at conferences. Standard booth spaces are 10' x 8' with table and chair included, priced at $3,000.
5. Website Banner Advertising: Banner advertisements placed on the CaribDA homepage under Site Advertisers section. Banners run for 12-month periods at member rates ($425) and non-member rates ($500).
6. Newsletter Advertising: Advertisement placements in the CaribDA News newsletter, with options for 1/8 page, 1/4 page, and 1/2 page sizes. Pricing ranges from $200-$1,200 depending on size and number of issues.
7. Training Workshop Fees: Fees for pre-conference hands-on training workshops, including Membrane Operator Certification Training (MOC-I) programs held in various Caribbean locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CaribDA is a non-profit professional association that provides a regional forum for the Caribbean desalination and water reuse community, offering annual memberships, biennial conferences, hands-on technical training workshops (including Membrane Operator Certification Training), a tech publications resource center, a quarterly newsletter, and humanitarian initiatives. The association serves water utilities, water treatment suppliers, academic institutions, government agencies, and individual professionals across the Greater Caribbean region.

Product overview

CaribDA is a non-profit professional association, not a product company. It offers a portfolio of member services including biennial conferences, educational workshops, technical publications, operator certification training, and the Young Leaders Program. The core offering is the biennial conference combined with training workshops and a rotating publications resource center providing technical desalination and water reuse content. Membership provides access to conferences at discounted rates, publications, networking, and a membership directory. Additional services include newsletter and website banner advertising, with the Humanitarian Committee providing regional disaster relief support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biennial Conference Large-scale biennial conference and exposition bringing together desalination and water reuse professionals from the Caribbean region for presentations, networking, and technical sessions. Open to members and non-members with early bird and regular pricing tiers.
• Educational Workshops and Seminars Technical workshops and seminars on desalination technology, reverse osmosis systems, membrane treatment, and water reuse, often featuring hands-on training components at various Caribbean locations.
• Publications Resource Center A rotating collection of past event presentations from CaribDA-hosted trainings and conferences, providing technical resources on membrane systems, RO optimization, energy recovery devices, wastewater treatment, and desalination processes for current and prospective members.
• Membership Program Annual membership program offering access to conferences, workshops, publications, networking, and directory services. Includes Class 1 (Corporations/Utilities, $300), Class 2 (Small Companies/Universities/Non-Profits, $200), Class 3A (Individuals, $100), Class 3B (Additional Members, $50), and Class 4 (Students/Libraries, $20).
• Young Leaders Program (YLP) Program open to students and young professionals in the desalination and water reuse sectors serving the Greater Caribbean region, providing networking, career advancement, and mentorship opportunities. Co-chairs include Monica Boodhan and Karlene Singh.
• Membrane Operator Certification Training (MOC-I) Certification training program for membrane operators, including introductory courses on membrane systems, providing professional development for water treatment operators in the Caribbean.
• Quarterly Newsletter (CaribDA News) Quarterly newsletter covering membrane plant operations, industry news, and association updates distributed to members.
• Newsletter & Website Banner Advertising Advertising opportunities available to members at reduced rates, including newsletter advertisements (1/8, 1/4, 1/2 page sizes ranging $200-$1,200) and website banner placements on the CaribDA homepage ($425 member / $500 non-member, 12-month periods).
• Membership Directory Online member search directory serving as an important reference of technical authorities, suppliers, and peers in the desalination and water reuse industry available to members.
• Humanitarian Committee Committee focused on creating programs and conducting humanitarian activities in the Caribbean region specific to desalination and water reuse, cooperating with NGOs, governments, and local charities. Includes relief efforts for Haiti, Dominica, Barbuda, and Bahamas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 136 members from 19 countries participated in the 2024 Biennial Conference in Nassau, Bahamas
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Desalination Association (IDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2007IDA is the leading global organization dedicated to desalination and water reuse. CaribDA achieved Affiliate Recognition status from IDA in December 2007. The partnership facilitates cooperation between the organizations, with CaribDA's IDA Liaison Committee Chair representing CaribDA on the IDA Board of Directors. Joint scholarship programs and conference collaborations strengthen the relationship.
• Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2007CWWA is a regional non-governmental organization established by an Act of Parliament in Trinidad & Tobago in 1991, grouping water, wastewater and solid waste professionals in public and private sectors. CaribDA encourages communication and liaises with CWWA as part of its mission to work with other water treatment associations in the region.
• Caribbean Water & Sewerage Association, Inc. (CAWASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAWASA is a regional organization of water utilities dedicated to serving the growth and development of its members. CaribDA collaborated with CAWASA on the 2015 Pre-Conference Antigua Workshop: CaribDA RO Basics & Energy Efficiency. The partnership includes cross-promotion of events and shared resources.
• Latin American Association of Desalination (ALADYR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerALADYR promotes, protects and develops technologies and projects in desalination and water treatment, water reuse and low consumption standards for sustainability. The partnership extends CaribDA's reach beyond the Caribbean to the broader Latin American water treatment community.
• Pan American Development Foundation (PADF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPADF is dedicated to serving vulnerable people in Latin America and the Caribbean through sustainable community development. CaribDA partners with PADF for humanitarian relief efforts, including fundraising for earthquake relief in Haiti and other disaster response initiatives.
• IHE DelftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHE Delft (formerly UNESCO-IHE) is the largest international postgraduate water education facility in the world. Through the Young Leaders Program, CaribDA promotes IHE Delft's SIDS Fellowships offering 24 partial scholarships for MSc Programmes for Small Island Developing States professionals, and partial scholarships for Latin Americans and Caribbean students.
• University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTT is a key academic partner for CaribDA, hosting student poster sessions at the Young Leaders Program and providing facilities for training workshops. The university's senior Physics Lecturer serves as CaribDA President, demonstrating institutional commitment to the partnership.
• Consolidated Water Co. (Diamond Sponsor)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerConsolidated Water Company Ltd. is a Diamond sponsor ($25,000) for the 2026 Biennial Conference and serves as host for facility tours at their Abel Castillo Water Works Plant. The company's CEO serves on the CaribDA Board, and their employees participate in YLP activities.
• Water Authority - Cayman (Diamond Sponsor)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWater Authority - Cayman is a Diamond sponsor ($25,000) for the 2026 conference and host venue partner. Their Chief Operations Engineer serves as a Director on the CaribDA Board. The authority provides facility tours at their Cayman Red Gate Water Works Plant & Laboratory.
• TSG Water Resources, Inc. (Platinum Sponsor)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTSG Water Resources is a Platinum sponsor ($12,500) with their CEO and VP Business Development serving on the CaribDA Board. TSG has been a long-term supporter, providing presenters for technical sessions and hosting training workshops in multiple Caribbean countries.
• Fluid Equipment Development Company (FEDCO) (Bronze Sponsor)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFEDCO supplies pumps, energy recovery turbochargers, and innovative solutions for RO applications. Their Product Manager serves as 2nd Vice President and PR Committee Chair. FEDCO has provided presenters for the Tech Publications Resource Center.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA): A Caribbean NGO established by an Act of Parliament in Trinidad & Tobago in 1991, serving water, wastewater, and solid waste professionals across the same region. CaribDA maintains a formal liaison relationship with CWWA, and the two operate as complementary regional associations in the Caribbean water sector.
• Caribbean Water & Sewerage Association (CAWASA): A regional organization of Caribbean water utilities dedicated to serving member growth and development. CaribDA has collaborated with CAWASA on training workshops such as the 2015 Antigua RO Basics & Energy Efficiency event, making CAWASA a direct peer in regional water utility education and networking.
• International Desalination Association (IDA): The global parent organization for desalination and water reuse professionals, of which CaribDA is an officially recognized Affiliate. IDA offers the global counterpart to CaribDA's regional mission, with overlapping content in membrane technologies, RO optimization, and desalination operator training.
• Latin American Association of Desalination (ALADYR): A regional association promoting desalination and water reuse technologies in Latin America. CaribDA partners with ALADYR to extend reach across the broader Latin American water treatment community, and both organizations focus on similar technologies (RO, membranes, energy recovery) with overlapping sponsor bases.

Broad incumbents

• Water Environment Federation (WEF): A major international water quality organization focused on wastewater treatment and water reuse. WEF's coverage of water reuse and membrane technologies partially overlaps with CaribDA's mandate, and the organization competes for similar industry sponsors and conference attendees.
• International Water Association (IWA): A global network of water professionals spanning utilities, academia, and industry. IWA's broader water focus overlaps with CaribDA's specialized desalination scope and competes for the same professional audience and corporate sponsors.
• American Water Works Association (AWWA): The largest North American water utility association, offering broader water sector standards, conferences, and certification programs that overlap with CaribDA's mandate. AWWA represents a broad incumbent whose global reach and resources dwarf CaribDA's regional focus.

Others

• Global Water Intelligence: A subscription-based water industry intelligence and publishing service covering desalination, water reuse, and water utility markets. GWI serves as an information provider adjacent to CaribDA's knowledge-sharing mission, and is also a potential advertising channel for CaribDA's supplier members.

Regional players

• European Desalination Society (EDS): A regional European organization promoting desalination and water reuse technologies with similar biennial conference cycles and training programs. While operating in a different geography, EDS serves a structurally similar role to CaribDA in a different region, making it a relevant regional peer for benchmarking and partnership.
• Australian Water Association (AWA): The peak water industry body in Australia, another water-scarce region with high desalination adoption. AWA serves a comparable role for Australian water professionals as CaribDA does for the Caribbean, with similar membership, conference, and training offerings in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CaribDA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caribbean-desalination-association

Compliance3 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 CARIBBEAN DESALINATION ASSOCIATION