MHA (Marine Hotel Association)

Name

MHA (Marine Hotel Association)

Legal name

Marine Hotel Association

Website

https://mhaweb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Destination Management Companies (Cruise DMCs) (THAEAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nonprofit/NGO & Academic Travel Management (TMCs) (THACAAAE)

Keywords

• Cruise line trade association
• Marine hospitality services
• Professional development programs
• Trade show services
• Cruise industry networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Sausalito

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged to cruise lines and suppliers. Supplier membership is $750 per year for new members and renewals.
2. Conference Booth Sales: Revenue from exhibiting companies at the annual conference trade show. 8'x10' booth costs $4,000 for members, with additional fees for premium locations and booth sharing.
3. Sponsor Tiers: Sponsorship packages at various levels ranging from $500 (Bronze) to $10,000 (Opening Evening Event), providing visibility and recognition at the annual conference.
4. Delegate Registration: Fees for supplier delegates attending the conference: $1,500 for full program, $700 for trade show only. Exhibitor registration includes one complimentary full registration with booth purchase.
5. Advertising: Revenue from advertising in MHA publications and website. Conference program advertising ranges from $600-$850 per issue; website banner ads from $250-$300 per month.
6. Event Activities: Revenue from additional conference activities such as pickleball tournament registration at $125 per person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MHA operates as a not-for-profit international trade association serving the cruise line marine hotel operations segment and its supporting supplier community. Its core offerings include annual membership ($750 per year for suppliers), an annual conference and trade show, professional development programs (Cornell University three-day courses and Culinary Institute of America five-day culinary courses), scholarship programs, conference sponsorships, and advertising in MHA publications and on the website.

Product overview

MHA (Marine Hotel Association) is a not-for-profit international trade association serving the cruise line industry, founded in 1985. The organization operates as a single unified association offering membership, annual conferences, professional development programs, and scholarship opportunities. The core offerings include: Annual Membership ($750/year for suppliers) providing access to the network and events; the Annual Conference & Trade Show as the premier event for culinary, F&B, and hotel professionals; professional development programs including the CIA 5-day culinary program and Cornell 3-day management courses; scholarship programs in partnership with Cornell University, Florida International University, and the Culinary Institute of America; advertising opportunities in conference publications and on the website; and sponsorship tiers for the annual conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Membership Annual membership program for cruise line operators and supplier companies providing access to MHA's networking, conferences, professional development programs, and scholarship opportunities. Supplier membership is priced at $750 per year.
• Annual Conference and Trade Show Premier annual event for culinary, F&B, and hotel professionals in the cruise industry, featuring exhibitor booths, educational sessions, business seminars, and networking opportunities. The 2027 conference is held at the Marriott through Saturday March 13, 2027.
• Culinary Institute of America Professional Development Program 5-day hands-on culinary curriculum hosted at CIA's Hyde Park campus in New York and Singapore campus, covering culinary principles for cruise ship kitchens, global cuisines, yield management, food waste management, menu development, and sustainability. Participants receive a CIA Professional Development Certificate upon completion.
• Cornell University Professional Development Program Three-day professional development courses developed in conjunction with Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, teaching prevailing management techniques presented by Cornell faculty and industry leaders.
• Scholarship Programs Annual scholarships provided to employees of member cruise lines, offered in conjunction with Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Florida International University, and the Culinary Institute of America.
• Advertising in MHA Publications Advertising opportunities in the conference program booklet (four-color, 16-page format) and on the MHA website including header banners and small banners viewable in the MHA newsletter.
• Pickleball Tournament Charity pickleball tournament held during the annual conference, limited to 36 registered MHA attendees at $125 per person.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual scholarships provided to employees of member cruise lines, with proceeds reinvested back to the industry as direct benefit

Named customers18 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cornell University School of Hotel AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHA has partnered with Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration to develop three-day professional development courses. Cornell faculty members and industry leaders present prevailing management techniques as part of MHA's educational mission. This partnership supports the association's commitment to professional development and growth for cruise industry employees.
• Florida International University - MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHA has established a scholarship partnership with Florida International University's Miami campus as part of its continuing education partners network. The association provides annual scholarships to employees of member cruise lines through this partnership, representing a direct benefit of membership.
• Culinary Institute of America (CIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHA has partnered with the Culinary Institute of America for a Culinary Professional Development Program. The initiative hosts alternately at CIA's Hyde Park campus in New York and Singapore campus. The 5-day hands-on curriculum covers culinary principles for cruise ship kitchens, global cuisines, advanced topics including yield management, food waste management, menu development, and sustainability. Participants receive a CIA Professional Development Certificate upon completion.
• Cruise Industry NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMHA maintains a partnership with Cruise Industry News for industry coverage and promotional support. Cruise Industry News maintains a presence on the MHA website and is represented on the MHA Board by Monty Mathisen, Managing Editor.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Destinations International: Destinations International (formerly DMAI) is the global trade association for destination marketing organizations. Comparable as a membership association serving destination-focused professionals with annual conferences, education, and supplier partnerships.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA): AHLA is the main trade association for the U.S. lodging industry. Directly comparable as a hospitality-focused membership organization providing professional development, advocacy, and networking for hotel industry professionals and suppliers.
• Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE): SITE is an international trade association for the incentive travel industry. Comparable as a travel industry membership organization with similar annual conference, professional development, and supplier-buyer matching focus on the incentive travel segment.
• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA): CLIA is the largest cruise industry trade association globally, representing cruise lines, travel agents, and industry partners. Directly comparable as a cruise-focused membership organization, though broader in scope than MHA which specializes in marine hotel operations.
• United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA): USTOA is a trade association representing tour operators in the United States. Comparable as a travel industry membership association with annual conferences, professional standards, and supplier-buyer networking programs.
• Global Business Travel Association (GBTA): GBTA is the leading trade association for the business travel industry. Comparable as a membership organization providing conferences, education, and networking for travel buyers and suppliers, with similar community-led GTM motion centered on an annual convention.

Emerging players

• International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP): IACP is a professional association for culinary professionals including chefs, food writers, and culinary educators. Partially comparable through MHA's culinary focus areas and its CIA partnership for culinary professional development.

Broad incumbents

• International Air Transport Association (IATA): IATA is a major international trade association serving the airline industry. Comparable as a large-scale, sector-specific trade association with professional development, standards-setting, and conference operations serving a transportation vertical and its supplier ecosystem.
• World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC): WTTC is a global travel and tourism industry body representing the private sector. Comparable as a high-level trade association for the broader travel ecosystem, providing research, advocacy, and member engagement at industry events.

Regional players

• Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA): PATA is a membership association for the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. Comparable as a regional international travel trade association with conferences, training, and industry networking, though serving a different geographic focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-hotel-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/mhaweb2885

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 MHA (Marine Hotel Association)