Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA)

What Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) does

The Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association (Tax ID#92-0311284) headquartered in Houston, Texas, and the only national trade organization dedicated exclusively to the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry. Founded in 2021-2022 by industry veterans including Cory Baker, Neal Hamil, Jay Miller, Grady Bell, Chris Jones, Robert Myers, and Don Riggs, HDDA was formed in response to a series of highly publicized HDD accidents to advance safety, standards, and public-policy education around trenchless utility and pipeline installation. The association serves four member segments — HDD contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, engineers, and service providers (insurance, financing, locating) — with each member holding equal status regardless of company size.

HDDA's core technology is an industry-association platform (website at hdda.us, member portal, event registration, and digital content distribution) rather than a proprietary product stack. Its service portfolio centers on (1) tiered annual membership dues, ranging from $750 for companies with under $2M in gross revenue to $6,000 for companies above $40M; (2) a multi-event conference cadence that includes the Fall, Winter, and Spring Conferences, the HDDTEC (HDD Technology & Equipment Conference), the HDD Rodeo competition co-sponsored with Trenchless Technology, and the HDD Hall of Fame Reunion co-sponsored with Underground Infrastructure Magazine; (3) HDDA-certified digital training and content-specific professional development sessions covering HDD market trends, contract management, employment law, and leadership; and (4) government advocacy at state and federal levels alongside alliance partners including Atmos Energy, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Texas 811, USIC, and Zayo Group.

HDDA operates on a community-led, subscription-recurring revenue model anchored by membership dues, supplemented by event registration, training, and sponsorship. With 11 employees and operating geographies centered on Texas and Louisiana, the association runs lean through volunteer officer leadership (President Robert Myers, IV; VP Jim Watland; Treasurer Aaron Graff; Secretary/COO Cory Baker) and a board of directors drawn from sponsoring member firms. Its go-to-market is community-led, combining direct website membership acquisition with event-driven recruitment across the U.S. HDD contractor, manufacturer, engineer, and service-provider ecosystem.

Name

Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA)

Legal name

Horizontal Directional Drilling Association

Website

https://hdda.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association and the only national organization dedicated exclusively to the HDD industry, serving contractors, manufacturers, engineers, and service providers through tiered membership, conferences, HDDA-certified training, and state/federal advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Offshore-to-Shore Interface Construction (Landfalls, Shore Crossings, HDD) (IMAFAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electrical Conduit & Raceway Systems (PVC/HDPE) (IMANADAC)

Keywords

• Horizontal directional drilling
• Trenchless construction association
• HDD industry training
• Utility pipeline installation
• Underground infrastructure association

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 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: HDDA generates revenue through annual membership dues structured by gross revenue tiers. Companies join as members (Contractor, Manufacturer, Supplier, Engineer, etc.) and pay dues based on their annual gross revenue, ranging from $750 for companies with $0-2M revenue to $6,000 for companies exceeding $40M revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HDDA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association that promotes horizontal directional drilling for the utility and pipeline industry. It offers tiered company memberships (Contractor, Manufacturer, Supplier, Engineer), HDDA-certified digital safety and operational training, recurring industry conferences (Fall, Winter, Spring, HDDTEC, HDD Rodeo, HDD Reunion), the HDD Hall of Fame recognition program, and state/federal government advocacy fighting regulations that hinder the HDD industry. Each member holds equal status regardless of company size or segment.

Product overview

The Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) is a trade organization rather than a product company. It provides membership-based services including industry conferences (Fall Conference, HDDTEC, HDD Rodeo), professional development and training programs, networking events, Hall of Fame recognition, government advocacy, and workforce development initiatives for the horizontal directional drilling industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HDDA Membership (Contractor/Manufacturer/Supplier/Engineer) Tiered annual membership for HDD contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, and service providers, with dues scaled by company gross revenue. Each member holds equal status regardless of size or segment. Membership provides access to advocacy, training, networking, and industry representation.
• HDDA-Certified Digital Training Industry-specific digital training program certified by HDDA, focused on HDD safety, operational quality, and workforce integrity, with emphasis on real-world application.
• HDDA Annual Conferences (Fall, Winter, Spring) Recurring multi-day industry conferences (Fall Conference, Winter Conference, Spring Conference) for HDD professionals featuring training sessions, networking, and industry updates.
• HDDTEC (HDD Technology & Equipment Conference) Dedicated HDD technology and equipment conference organized by HDDA for the industry's technology and equipment stakeholder segment.
• HDD Rodeo Skill-based competition event co-sponsored with Trenchless Technology where HDD contractors showcase their directional drilling capabilities and compete for industry recognition.
• HDD Hall of Fame Recognition Program Annual recognition program honoring industry veterans and pioneers who have made significant contributions to the HDD industry, co-sponsored with Underground Infrastructure Magazine.
• HDD Government Advocacy Program State and federal government representation and advocacy fighting regulatory overreach and promoting the economic and environmental benefits of HDD to public and governmental agencies.
• HDD Reunion Community reunion event co-sponsored with Underground Infrastructure Magazine that pairs with the HDD Hall of Fame ceremony to celebrate industry veterans and foster networking.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Atmos EnergyminorOthersAlliance Partner supporting the HDD industry and HDDA initiatives. Atmos Energy is a natural gas utility company that benefits from HDD installation services for utility infrastructure.
• Trenchless Technology (HDD Rodeo)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the HDD Rodeo event, a one-of-a-kind competition where directional drilling contractors showcase their skills and compete for bragging rights. Trenchless Technology provides media coverage and event promotion.
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance Partner collaborating on workforce development, operator qualifications, and training standards for the HDD industry. IUOE represents heavy equipment operators and supports next generation of HDD professionals.
• Texas 811minorOthersAlliance Partner representing the Texas one-call damage prevention notification system. Works with HDDA on safe drilling practices and damage prevention awareness.
• Underground Infrastructure MagazinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary co-sponsor of HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame events. Leading publication for construction, rehabilitation and asset management of underground infrastructure. Provides media coverage and industry visibility.
• USIC (Underground Safety)minorOthersAlliance Partner providing underground utility locating and safety services. Supports HDDA's safety-focused mission and damage prevention initiatives.
• Zayo GroupminorOthersAlliance Partner, a communications infrastructure company that utilizes HDD services for fiber network installation. Industry employer supporting the HDD ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA): NUCA represents utility construction contractors, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers across the broader underground utility industry, including HDD contractors. It is a larger, more established association competing for the same member base as HDDA.
• Distribution Contractors Association (DCA): DCA represents contractors in the energy pipeline distribution industry, including HDD contractors who install gas, oil, and product pipelines. It overlaps with HDDA's contractor segment and competes for advocacy influence on underground utility installation.
• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): AGC is the largest construction industry trade association in the US, offering broad services including legislative advocacy, training, and safety resources. Many HDD contractors hold AGC memberships as their primary construction association, competing with HDDA for member dues.

Direct peers

• Underground Construction Technology Association (UCT): UCT organizes conferences and exhibitions for the underground construction industry and was the venue where HDDA was conceived at UCT 2021. It represents the broader trenchless community in which HDDA competes for member engagement.
• North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT): NASTT is a member-driven society serving the entire trenchless technology industry including HDD, and is HDDA's most direct competitor for member share of mind. Both organizations offer training, conferences, and advocacy for underground construction professionals.
• Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA): PCCA represents contractors who build infrastructure for power and communications, a segment that frequently uses HDD for underground installation. It competes with HDDA for contractors working on electric, telecom, and broadband underground projects.
• Common Ground Alliance (CGA): CGA is a national association dedicated to preventing damage to underground infrastructure, a core concern of HDD contractors. HDDA's partnership with Texas 811 (a CGA affiliate) demonstrates the overlapping membership and mission around safe drilling.

Others

• American Water Works Association (AWWA): AWWA represents water utility professionals and is a major customer-side ecosystem for HDD contractors installing water lines. It is not a direct competitor but represents a buyer community that HDDA advocacy intersects with.
• American Gas Association (AGA): AGA represents natural gas utilities and is a key customer-side stakeholder for HDD contractors. Atmos Energy, an HDDA alliance partner, is an AGA member, illustrating the gas utility ecosystem that HDDA's members serve.
• Trenchless Technology Magazine: Trenchless Technology is the leading trade publication covering HDD and trenchless construction and is an HDDA partner on the HDD Rodeo event. It is an ecosystem enabler rather than a competitor, providing media coverage that benefits HDDA's visibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/horizontal-directional-drilling-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA)