American Society of Landscape Architects

What American Society of Landscape Architects does

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is a private nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1899 and headquartered in Washington, DC. It serves more than 16,000 landscape architect members across the United States through a comprehensive ecosystem spanning advocacy, continuing education, credentialing support, publications, conferences, and industry directories.

ASLA's core technology stack is a portfolio of digital platforms anchored by asla.org (the main membership and content hub), learn.asla.org (an online learning management system delivering LA CES-approved PDH courses, webinars, conference recordings, LARE prep, and SKILL|ED practice management programming), connect.asla.org (a marketplace-style platform hosting the FirmFinder and ASLA Product Directory), members.asla.org (a member portal and directory), and careers.asla.org (ASLA JobLink). The organization publishes Landscape Architecture Magazine (LAM) as the profession's magazine of record. It also operates an annual flagship conference (ASLA 2026 in Los Angeles, September 16-18) drawing 6,000+ attendees, plus a co-presented CitiesAlive conference with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.

Revenue is generated across five streams: recurring membership dues (professional, associate, student tiers), conference and event registrations/exhibits/sponsorships, online learning and PDH credit sales (tiered by membership status with free member access), advertising and sponsorships in LAM and on ASLA digital properties, and publications/product sales through the ASLA Shop and Product Directory. Customer segments include licensed landscape architects (primary), students, early-career professionals, landscape architecture firms and industry partners, and municipal/government entities. The organization's 2026-2030 Climate & Biodiversity Action Plan formalizes its leadership position on professional standards and policy advocacy.

Name

American Society of Landscape Architects

Legal name

The American Society of Landscape Architects, Inc.

Website

https://asla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit professional membership association serving 16,000+ U.S. landscape architects through continuing education, advocacy, conferences, publications, and industry directories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Architecture, Planning & Surveying (AIA, Planning, Land Surveyor CE) (EDAAALAG)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Continuing education programs
• Professional membership organization
• Industry advocacy services
• Licensure exam preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from landscape architects and related professionals across multiple membership categories including professional, associate, and student tiers.
2. Conference and Events: Revenue from the annual ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture (2026 in Los Angeles, September 16-18), including registration fees, exhibitor and sponsor fees, and related event activities.
3. Online Learning and PDH Credits: Sale of professional development hours (PDH) and continuing education content through learn.asla.org. Pricing varies by membership tier (member, associate member, student member, non-member). Bundles and packages available for conference recordings.
4. Advertising and Sponsorships: Advertising placements in Landscape Architecture Magazine, on ASLA websites, and sponsorship of conferences and online learning content.
5. Publications and Products: Sale of books by ASLA members, and products through the ASLA Shop. ASLA Product Directory featuring industry partner products.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is a nonprofit professional membership association that provides landscape architects with continuing education (PDH/LA CES credits), an annual conference, professional publications (Landscape Architecture Magazine), licensure exam preparation (LARE Prep), advocacy, awards programs, and networking resources. The organization also operates supporting platforms including a firm directory, product directory, job board, and an online learning management system serving its 16,000+ members across the United States.

Product overview

ASLA is a professional membership organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of products and services for landscape architects. The core offerings include the main website (asla.org), ASLA Online Learning platform for distance education and LARE prep, Landscape Architecture Magazine (LAM) as the profession's magazine of record, and the annual ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture. Additional services include FirmFinder (firm directory), ASLA Product Directory, ASLA JobLink (career board), and the Member Directory. Educational programs include SKILL | ED for practice management, Biodiversity & Climate Action 101 webinar series, and LARE Prep Resources. The organization also runs the ASLA Honors & Awards Program, supports the LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership, and manages the ASLA Fund for research and community outreach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Landscape Architecture Magazine: The profession's magazine of record offering insight, ideas, and inspiration from landscape architects.
• ASLA JobLink
• FirmFinder
• ASLA Online Learning
• ASLA Fund

Products and services

• ASLA Membership Annual membership tiers (professional, associate, student) providing landscape architects access to continuing education, advocacy, publications, networking, awards eligibility, and member benefits.
• ASLA Online Learning Distance learning platform offering on-demand webinars, conference recordings, LARE prep courses, SKILL | ED practice management education, and SITES education for continuing professional development (PDH/LA CES credits).
• Landscape Architecture Magazine (LAM) The profession's magazine of record offering insight, ideas, and inspiration from landscape architects shaping places worldwide; available in print and digital formats to members and subscribers.
• ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture
• ASLA JobLink
• FirmFinder Searchable directory for discovering landscape architecture firms by name, location, or specialty, enabling firms to personalize their contact information.
• ASLA Product Directory Directory of products and materials from ASLA Industry Partners used by landscape architects, browsable by category or manufacturer.
• ASLA Honors & Awards Program Annual awards program recognizing excellence in landscape architecture including General Design Awards, Professional and Student Awards, Honors, and Council of Fellows.
• CitiesAlive Conference
• LARE Prep Resources Exam preparation resources including study guides, practice questions, and educational content to help candidates prepare for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE).

Quantifiable outcome

• ASLA connects with 6,000+ landscape professionals at its annual conference.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASLA and AIA have established an official partnership as part of ByDesign, a magazine-style television program on CBS News Livestream and FAST channels. The collaboration brings together the three major U.S. design industry organizations (ASLA, AIA, IIDA) to expand programming scope to cover architecture, interiors, and landscape design. Executives from all organizations characterized the announcement as a milestone for design visibility and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Episodes will focus on diverse, sustainable, and culturally reflective design projects.
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASLA and IIDA joined as official partners in the ByDesign television program alongside AIA, completing the collaboration among the three major U.S. design industry organizations. The partnership aims to expand programming scope across architecture, interiors, and landscape design disciplines, with upcoming episodes focusing on diverse, sustainable, and culturally reflective design projects.
• ByDesign (CBS News Livestream)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerByDesign is a magazine-style television program on CBS News Livestream and FAST channels. It has established official partnerships with ASLA, AIA, and IIDA, creating a cross-disciplinary design media platform. The program features episodes covering architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design, expanding visibility for landscape architecture to audiences beyond the professional community.
• Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASLA maintains a close partnership with the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), which administers the $25,000 Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership (a yearlong fellowship for mid-career and senior-level landscape architects), the Olmsted Scholars Program, and the annual Innovation + Leadership Symposium. The partnership cultivates transformational leadership and intergenerational mentorship within the profession. ASLA publishes information about LAF programs and opportunities for its members.
• Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (CitiesAlive)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASLA partners with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities to co-present CitiesAlive, the annual conference focused on green infrastructure, living architecture, and urban ecology. The 2026 CitiesAlive conference returns to New York City (September 30 - October 3) for its 20th annual gathering, bringing together experts in landscape architecture, planning, research, policy, and industry to explore nature-based solutions for stormwater, extreme heat, biodiversity loss, public health, and climate resilience.
• Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA CES (Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System) approves professional development hours (PDH) offered through ASLA Online Learning. ASLA's online learning content is LA CES-approved and can be used by landscape architects to meet state licensure requirements. This approval framework is essential to the value of ASLA's continuing education offerings.
• Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASLA works with the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) to accredit landscape architecture degree programs at universities across the United States. ASLA publishes information about accredited degree programs and student chapter opportunities, supporting the pipeline of future landscape architects.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Urban Land Institute (ULI): A global research and education organization focused on land use and real estate development, with overlapping membership (many landscape architects are ULI members) and a similar mix of membership dues, conferences (ULI Spring/Fall Meetings), publications (Urban Land magazine), and policy work. ULI operates at a broader scope than ASLA but is a relevant adjacent peer for climate/sustainability positioning.

Regional players

• Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA): The UK professional association for chartered architects, with the same member-driven structure, continuing education (CPD), annual awards (RIBA Stirling Prize), publications (RIBA Journal), and advocacy mandate as ASLA, but serving the UK and international market rather than the US. RIBA offers a relevant international benchmark for ASLA's potential overseas expansion of online learning and membership.

Direct peers

• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB): The counterpart to CLARB for architects—administers the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and facilitates licensure reciprocity across US jurisdictions. NCARB is the structural analog in a larger profession and a useful benchmark for how licensure bodies and professional associations (AIA/ASLA) co-exist in the design industry.
• American Planning Association (APA): The national professional association for urban and city planners, with the same core operating model as ASLA: tiered membership, AICP certification and continuing education, annual National Planning Conference, state chapters, advocacy in Washington, and member publications. APA sits in an adjacent design/planning profession with overlapping member base (many landscape architects hold AICP credentials).
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA): The international commercial interior design association, structured similarly to ASLA with membership dues, continuing education units (CEUs), student chapters, advocacy, and industry partner programs. IIDA is an official ByDesign partner alongside ASLA and AIA, making it the most direct peer in scale, structure, and strategic positioning.
• American Institute of Architects (AIA): The national professional association for architects in the US, structured almost identically to ASLA: membership dues, state chapter network, continuing education (CES-approved HSW/LU credits), annual conference (AIA Conference on Architecture), advocacy, publications (Architect magazine), and Career Center. ASLA and AIA are official partners in ByDesign on CBS News, making AIA the closest structural and strategic peer.
• Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB): The sister organization that develops and administers the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), the licensure gateway for the profession ASLA serves. CLARB and ASLA have a deeply complementary relationship: ASLA provides LA CES-approved CE while CLARB administers the entry exam, and the two together define the profession's licensing pathway.

Others

• Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: The North American industry association for green infrastructure and living architecture, co-presenting the CitiesAlive conference with ASLA. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a strategic GTM partner rather than a direct competitor, but it is a useful comparable for a niche design-adjacent industry association with conference- and member-driven revenue.
• Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF): The research, education, and leadership foundation for the landscape architecture profession—LAF administers the $25,000 LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership, the Olmsted Scholars Program, and the annual Innovation + Leadership Symposium. LAF is a strategic partner of ASLA, complementary rather than competitive, and together they form the institutional backbone of the US landscape architecture profession.

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): The professional association for civil engineers in the US, with the same operating model as ASLA—membership dues, continuing education (PDH credits), annual conference, peer-reviewed journals, advocacy, and student chapters—but operating at materially larger scale (150,000+ members). ASCE is the closest broad incumbent peer for benchmarking association operations and revenue diversification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NationalASLA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/landscapearchitects
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalASLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-society-of-landscape-architects
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalasla
• Pinterestpinterest.com/nationalasla

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Society of Landscape Architects