U.s. Superyacht Association, Inc.

What U.s. Superyacht Association, Inc. does

The U.S. Superyacht Association, Inc. (USSA) is a Florida non-profit trade association founded in 2006 in Fort Lauderdale to serve U.S. businesses operating in the superyacht industry. It pursues four functional pillars: building member relationships, facilitating vetted referrals across the industry, generating revenue opportunities via events and programming, and providing a unified regulatory voice before Congress and federal agencies. USSA is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing diverse industry segments and operates with a lean 1–10 person staff.

USSA's product portfolio is centered on member services rather than technology products. Core offerings include the One Voice federal advocacy program, the annual American Superyacht Summit (held since 2013 at the Palm Beach International Boat Show), the semi-annual Masters of Class symposium, the Refit America directory of U.S. shipyards, OSHA/disaster-awareness training via Nova Southeastern University, and member-exclusive webinars. Signature in-person events include the USSA Golf Classic, a pavilion at METSTRADE in Amsterdam, and an annual presence at FLIBS. The association does not develop proprietary technology; its digital surface consists of the public website, a member portal (HubSpot), and an iCalendar event feed.

USSA's business model is a membership-based subscription organization supplemented by event sponsorships, event registrations, and newsletter advertising. Revenue streams include recurring membership dues from shipyards, brokers, attorneys, insurers, designers, suppliers, service providers, captains, and other marine professionals; event sponsorships and registrations tiered from $800 to $2,000 for the Golf Classic; and advertising embedded in six annual newsletters. The association markets primarily through industry events (METSTRADE, FLIBS, PBIBS, Marine Money Monaco), digital content, member networking programs, and earned media, targeting a horizontal industry base of more than 300 vetted member companies across nearly every U.S. state.

Name

U.s. Superyacht Association, Inc.

Legal name

U.S. Superyacht Association, Inc.

Website

https://ussuperyacht.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

U.S. Superyacht Association is a non-profit trade association founded in 2006 that represents more than 300 U.S. superyacht industry businesses through federal advocacy, education, networking, and flagship events such as the American Superyacht Summit and Refit America directory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Superyacht Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Full-Custom Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAB)

Keywords

• Superyacht trade association
• Marine industry advocacy
• Yacht industry membership
• Superyacht networking events
• Marine industry education

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: USSA generates revenue through membership dues from shipyards, brokers, attorneys, insurers, designers, suppliers, service providers, captains, and other marine industry professionals. Membership provides access to networking events, webinars, symposiums, advocacy representation, and marketing opportunities at major industry shows.
2. Event Sponsorships and Registration: Revenue generated from event sponsorships (Golf Classic, member meets, industry forums) and participant registrations. For example, the 2026 USSA Golf Classic offers Individual ($375) and Foursome ($1,300) registrations, plus various sponsorship tiers from Birdie ($2,000) to Hole Sponsorship ($1,500).
3. Newsletter and Publication Advertising: Six newsletters per year featuring Advocacy Updates and member news, with marketing exposure opportunities for members and partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The U.S. Superyacht Association is a non-profit trade association that represents the $6-billion American superyacht industry through four pillars: advocacy before Congress and federal agencies, education via summits and webinars, marketing exposure for member companies, and networking events. Its deliverables include the One Voice advocacy program, the American Superyacht Summit, the Masters of Class symposium, the Refit America shipyard directory, member-exclusive webinars, OSHA and disaster-awareness training, and signature gatherings such as the USSA Golf Classic and the METSTRADE Superyacht Pavilion.

Product overview

The U.S. Superyacht Association is a non-profit trade organization offering a portfolio of member services rather than a single unified product. Its core offering is advocacy — representing the $6-billion American superyacht sector before Congress and federal regulators through its One Voice initiative. Complementing advocacy, USSA delivers education through the annual American Superyacht Summit and semi-annual Masters of Class symposium, plus member-exclusive webinars and OSHA/disaster-awareness training via Nova Southeastern University. USSA also operates the Refit America initiative, which promotes U.S. shipyards to yacht owners and captains globally. Events include virtual member meets, the USSA Golf Classic, and USSA pavilions at major industry shows (FLIBS, METSTRADE). Members gain access to a vetted Membership Directory and industry intelligence through news and newsletters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One Voice Advocacy Federal and state-level advocacy program representing the $6-billion U.S. superyacht sector before Congress, the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, the State Department, and other regulators; includes annual participation in NMMA's American Boating Congress and collaboration on the new U.S. Large Yacht Code.
• American Superyacht Summit Annual USSA conference and networking forum held in conjunction with the Palm Beach International Boat Show, spotlighting the American superyacht market and featuring input from American industry stakeholders.
• Masters of Class Semi-annual open-forum symposium where classification society representatives address questions about regulations and requirements for captains, owners' representatives, brokers, maritime attorneys, insurers, and flag states.
• Member-Exclusive Webinars Member-exclusive online sessions covering shipyard grants, importation regulations and duties, marketing strategies, and other operational topics relevant to superyacht industry professionals.
• OSHA and Disaster Awareness Training OSHA 10 Maritime, OSHA HAZWOPER, and disaster-awareness courses offered at no cost to all employees of member companies through a partnership with Nova Southeastern University, regardless of location.
• USSA Golf Classic Annual signature golf tournament and networking event held at Grande Oaks private club, bringing together superyacht industry professionals for a day of golf, awards, and business connection.
• METSTRADE USSA Superyacht Pavilion USSA's exclusive exhibit pavilion at METSTRADE in Amsterdam, providing a global showcase for member companies and partners at the world's largest marine equipment trade exhibition.
• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) Presence USSA's annual presence at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, offering members and partners access to top-tier executives, yacht owners, captains, and industry decision makers at one of the largest in-water boat shows in the world.
• USSA Membership Directory Searchable online directory of vetted USSA member companies across every segment of the U.S. superyacht industry, including shipyards, brokers, attorneys, insurers, designers, suppliers, and service providers.
• Refit America Initiative Initiative highlighting the best U.S. service and repair yards for yacht refit and maintenance, regionally organized across the U.S. coastline so yacht owners and captains can locate qualified facilities wherever their yacht is headed.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every $1 invested in building a yacht creates an additional $2 of wider economic value (3x multiplier)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.

• National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSSA works in close partnership with NMMA, participating annually in American Boating Congress to advocate before Congress and federal regulatory agencies with a coordinated marine industry message. This partnership amplifies USSA's advocacy voice at the federal level.
• Nova Southeastern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSSA partners with Nova Southeastern University to provide OSHA 10 Maritime, OSHA HAZWOPER, and disaster-awareness courses at no cost to all employees of member companies, regardless of location. This education partnership supports workforce development across the superyacht industry.
• U.S. Coast GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSSA works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and the State Department to simplify vessel entry, streamline visa processes for crew, and reduce pilotage burdens. USSA collaborates with Coast Guard experts to develop the new U.S. Large Yacht Code.
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSSA collaborates with CBP to simplify vessel entry procedures for superyachts visiting U.S. waters, addressing customs clearance and immigration matters for crew and passengers.
• U.S. State DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSSA partners with the State Department to facilitate ease in obtaining B1/B2 visas for yacht crew to work in the United States, addressing immigration barriers for international superyacht crew.
• Classification Societies (Lloyd's Register, RINA, ABS, DNV, Bureau Veritas)supportingTechnology or IntegrationUSSA provides education and training resources from leading classification societies, linking members to maritime education and certification programs. These societies participate in USSA's Masters of Class symposium.
• Superyacht AustraliasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUSSA supports Superyacht Australia's international engagement efforts including the Australia Thailand Rendezvous. This partnership strengthens international pathways for superyachts and promotes cross-industry collaboration between U.S. and Australian marine industries.
• Paradise BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParadise Bank hosts USSA member networking events, providing relationship-focused discussion on banking solutions for marine businesses. USSA members are invited to attend networking events at Paradise Bank's South Florida location.
• Megayacht NewssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUSSA member and Marketing Co-Chair (Diane M Byrne) produces industry media content including the 'Inside the Owner's Suite' podcast featuring superyacht owners, providing marketing exposure for the USSA and its members.
• Total Marine SolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTotal Marine Solutions sponsors USSA member-exclusive webinars, including the July 2026 webinar on Connecting Military Veterans with Careers in Yachting, demonstrating member investment in USSA programming.
• 7 Eagle GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner7 Eagle Group presents the July 2026 USSA member webinar on connecting military veterans with careers in yachting, contributing industry expertise to USSA programming.
• W&O SupplyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerW&O Supply is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 USSA Golf Classic, the association's signature networking event. This represents the highest sponsorship tier available for USSA's annual golf tournament.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• British Marine: UK marine industry trade association offering member services, advocacy, and training. Directly comparable national trade-body model to USSA in a different geography.
• SYBAss (Superyacht Builders Association): International association representing superyacht builders worldwide. Closely parallels USSA's role but focused on builders rather than the full U.S. service ecosystem; cited in USSA's own market data.
• International Superyacht Society (ISS): U.S.-based global superyacht industry membership organization with comparable advocacy, networking, and awards programming. Operates in overlapping U.S. territory and competes for similar member mindshare.
• Superyacht Australia: Australian national superyacht industry trade association — directly comparable to USSA as the primary trade body promoting superyacht services in a single country. USSA explicitly partners with Superyacht Australia.

Broad incumbents

• National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA): Larger U.S. recreational marine industry trade association that includes boat builders, engine manufacturers, and accessories. USSA co-advocates with NMMA at American Boating Congress, but NMMA covers a much broader scope.

Regional players

• Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF): Regional trade association representing the South Florida marine industry, headquartered near USSA in Fort Lauderdale. Overlapping membership base in yacht services, refit, and brokerage.
• European Boating Industry (EBI): European-level boating industry association representing national marine federations. Comparable trade-association model and advocacy focus, serving a different region.
• Florida Marine Trade Association (FMTA): Florida-specific marine industry association with overlapping yacht-service membership. Regional scope limits direct competition with USSA's national footprint but overlaps in Florida shipyard and broker segments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/USSuperyachtAssociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/ussuperyacht
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/u-s-superyacht-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 U.s. Superyacht Association, Inc.