Professional TrailBuilders Association

Name

Professional TrailBuilders Association

Legal name

Professional TrailBuilders Association

Website

https://trailbuilders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Non-profit trade association for private-sector trail planning, design, and construction companies, serving 150 vetted member firms across 40+ countries through membership vetting, conferences, training workshops, webinars, and a vendor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: PTBA generates revenue through annual membership dues from private-sector trail planning, design, and construction companies. Membership includes vetting, benefits, and access to member-only resources.
2. Conference and Event Fees: Revenue from annual Sustainable Trails Conference and International Trails Summit events, including registration fees, sponsorships, and exhibitor fees.
3. Professional Training and Workshops: Fees charged for workshops on trail construction, stonework, mechanized equipment operation, rigging, terrain dynamics, and other specialized skills. Workshop costs range from $180 to $800 depending on duration and content.
4. Vendor Network Fees: Companies selling products that support the trail industry (tools, equipment, bridges, trail counters) pay to join the PTBA Vendor Network, with quality assessment prior to invitation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PTBA is a non-profit trade association representing 150 vetted private-sector companies that plan, design, and build trails worldwide. Its core offerings include annual/biennial conferences (Sustainable Trails Conference, International Trails Summit), paid in-person skills workshops (stonework, mechanized equipment, rigging, terrain dynamics, adaptive MTB trail construction), membership services with rigorous vetting, a searchable member directory, a Vendor Network for trail industry suppliers, and standardized industry training via the Trail Competency Framework.

Product overview

The Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA) is a non-profit trade association for the trail industry, not a traditional software product company. PTBA's offerings consist of a portfolio of professional development and industry advancement services including: the annual Sustainable Trails Conference and biennial International Trails Summit (co-hosted with American Trails) which provide education, networking, and hands-on learning; a PTBA Training Calendar offering in-person workshops on topics such as stonework, mechanized equipment operation, terrain dynamics, rigging, and adaptive MTB trails; the Advancing Trails Webinar Series in partnership with American Trails; a Trail Fundamental Video Series for foundational training; a searchable directory of vetted Member Companies and a Vendor Network for industry suppliers; the Trail Skills Project Job Board (operated jointly with American Trails); Projects for Bid resources; and the Trail Competency Framework providing professional skill standards. Conference Proceedings archive past educational materials. These services work together to advance the trail industry by promoting quality and professionalism through education, workforce development, and collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sustainable Trails Conference Annual conference bringing together trail professionals for education, collaboration, and hands-on learning, featuring technical sessions, workshops, workforce development, and networking opportunities.
• International Trails Summit Biennial summit co-hosted with American Trails, bringing trail professionals from around the world for education, networking, field experiences, and collaboration focused on advancing the future of trails.
• PTBA Training Workshops Paid in-person professional workshops covering trail construction skills including stonework, mechanized equipment operation, rigging, terrain dynamics, adaptive MTB trails, and contract administration, delivered to trail professionals.
• PTBA Membership Annual membership for private-sector trail planning, design, and construction companies, requiring a multi-step vetting process; includes directory listing, networking access, and industry credibility.
• PTBA Vendor Network Subscription network for companies selling products that support the trail industry (tools, equipment, bridges, trail counters), with quality assessment prior to invitation to join.
• PTBA Member Companies Directory Searchable online directory of vetted PTBA member companies available for search by location or category, allowing land managers and clients to find trailbuilders worldwide.
• PTBA Conference Proceedings Published presentations, session summaries, and educational materials from past PTBA conferences, made available for ongoing professional learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Member companies reported gross revenue increased from $25M to $220M annually (800% growth) since 2012
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American TrailscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTBA co-hosts the biennial International Trails Summit with American Trails. This partnership brings together trail professionals from around the world for education, networking, field experiences, and collaboration. The partnership has also extended to the Advancing Trails Webinar Series for five consecutive years, providing free professional development content.
• Maine Outdoor BrandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaine Outdoor Brands featured PTBA and the trail profession in their 'Day on the Job' video series, telling the story of outdoor industry professionals in Maine including trail professionals.
• The Trail Skills ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTBA is a leading partner in the Trail Skills Project, a collaborative initiative with American Trails that combines job listings into one platform. Employers can build job descriptions plugging in Trail Competencies as they relate to positions.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA): National non-profit focused on mountain biking trails, with local chapters and a Trail Solutions program that overlaps with PTBA member services. Closest peer in mission around trail advocacy, education, and contractor training, especially given shared members like Kay-Linn Enterprises.
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Non-profit dedicated to converting rail corridors into multi-use trails. Operates in a closely adjacent niche with overlapping public-sector advocacy, network of trail professionals, and conferences relevant to PTBA members.
• American Hiking Society: National non-profit advocating for hiking trails and trails funding. Shares PTBA's trail-focused mission, federal policy engagement, and member-event-driven operating model with National Trails Day and other programs.
• American Trails: Non-profit membership organization that co-hosts the biennial International Trails Summit and the Advancing Trails Webinar Series with PTBA. Directly comparable mission to advance trails and trails-related professionals, with overlapping membership and event audiences.

Broad incumbents

• National Ski Areas Association: Trade association for ski resort operators with a similar dues, conference, education, and safety-training model. Comparable in scale and operating model, though serving a different recreation vertical.
• Outdoor Industry Association: Larger trade association representing the broader outdoor recreation industry. Operates on a similar membership and conference model but covers a much wider category, including apparel and gear manufacturers rather than trail construction firms.
• PeopleForBikes: Bicycle industry trade association with similar advocacy, coalition-building, and infrastructure-investment focus (including trail and bike-network funding). Relevant peer on the advocacy and funding side of PTBA's mission.
• Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: Coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations that PTBA members and adjacent organizations participate in. Provides a useful comparison for industry-wide policy advocacy and collective representation.
• Snowsports Industries America: Trade association for snow sports manufacturers and retailers. Closely comparable in structure — dues, member vetting, annual trade show, and education programs — even though the underlying sport is different.

Emerging players

• Leave No Trace: Outdoor ethics non-profit that trains and certifies instructors and partners with trail organizations. Comparable education/training and member-engagement model, though oriented to ethics and stewardship rather than construction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/professional-trailbuilders-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Professional TrailBuilders Association