SIETAR USA

What SIETAR USA does

SIETAR USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership association founded in 2000 and headquartered in Pinckney, Michigan (Tax ID 01-0532058). The organization provides an interdisciplinary community for educators, trainers, and researchers working in intercultural communication, cross-cultural training, and DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging) fields. It serves individual practitioners, corporate diversity leaders, students, and academic researchers through membership programs, annual national conferences, webinars, local chapter activities, blog content, and professional development resources.

The organization's revenue is generated through five primary streams: tiered annual membership dues (Individual, Senior, Lifetime, Student, and Sustaining tiers), conference registration fees for both in-person and virtual events, $25 webinar fees for non-members (free for members), corporate sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations accepting one-time and recurring contributions from $25 to $500. It operates a community-led, event-driven go-to-market model that depends heavily on volunteer leadership, a Board of Directors, and committee members. The 2025 national conference was held November 11-15 in Portland, Oregon, marking the organization's 25th anniversary, with the 2026 conference pivoted to a virtual format scheduled for November 5-7, 2026.

SIETAR USA does not develop proprietary technology; it operates on third-party platforms including Wild Apricot for membership management, Zoom for webinar and virtual event delivery, and Google Forms for communications. The organization is the US chapter of the broader SIETAR Global Network, which includes sister organizations across Europa, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Southeast Asia, Chile, Australasia, Argentina, and India, enabling international collaboration, co-hosted programming, and cross-promotion among intercultural practitioners worldwide. Leadership as of 2025 is headed by President Sue Shinomiya, with Elmer Dixon serving as Immediate Past President.

Name

SIETAR USA

Legal name

SIETAR USA

Website

https://sietarusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Intercultural education
• Professional membership association
• Cross-cultural training
• Diversity equity inclusion
• Professional development conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Pinckney

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees with multiple tiers including Individual Membership, Individual Membership w/ Local Group Discount, Senior Membership, Lifetime Membership, Student Membership, and Sustaining Membership. Members receive event discounts, program discounts, and product discounts.
2. Conference Registration: Revenue generated from conference registration fees for both in-person and virtual annual conferences. The 2025 conference featured various session tracks and networking opportunities.
3. Webinar Fees: Non-members pay $25 for webinar registration while SIETAR USA members receive free access to webinars as a membership benefit.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors and partners provide financial support in exchange for recognition and visibility at conferences and on the website. The organization maintains a sponsors and partners section on its website.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted as a 501(c)(3) organization. Donation options include one-time, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual frequencies. Donation funds can be directed to Conference Scholarship, Website, Silent Auction, or General Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SIETAR USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership association that delivers intercultural education, training, and research programs to individual practitioners and organizations. It monetizes through tiered annual memberships, an annual national conference (in-person and virtual), webinars, local chapter programming, and tax-deductible donations. The organization acts as the US chapter of the SIETAR Global Network, connecting intercultural educators, trainers, and researchers with peers across multiple continents.

Product overview

SIETAR USA is a professional membership organization, not a technology product company. It does not offer a software platform, SaaS product, or technology-based services. Its offerings consist of membership programs, annual conferences (both virtual and in-person), webinars, local group networks, blog/news content, mentorship programs, professional development resources, and scholarship opportunities. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association serving educators, trainers, and researchers in the intercultural communication and DEI fields.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual SIETAR USA membership for individual intercultural educators, trainers, and researchers, providing event, program, and product discounts plus access to member-only content and networking.
• Student Membership Reduced-rate annual membership for students pursuing careers in intercultural communication, providing the same core member benefits at lower cost.
• Senior Membership Annual membership tier for senior intercultural practitioners offering standard member benefits including event, program, and product discounts.
• Lifetime Membership One-time paid membership granting perpetual SIETAR USA member benefits, including discounts and access to member programming.
• Sustaining Membership Higher-rate annual membership tier that provides enhanced financial support to SIETAR USA in exchange for full member benefits.
• Annual National Conference SIETAR USA's annual national conference delivered in-person and virtually, featuring keynote speakers, workshops, networking sessions, and cultural activities for intercultural practitioners.
• Webinars Virtual Zoom-based webinar events on intercultural topics, free for SIETAR USA members and $25 per session for non-members.
• Local Chapter Groups

Quantifiable outcome

• The 2025 SIETAR USA conference theme 'Inclusive Interculturalism: Purpose, Possibilities, and Progress' brought together participants in Portland, OR for five days of programming

Named customers9 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• InterculturalLegacyGroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterculturalLegacyGroup is listed as a SIETAR USA Partner/Sponsor, providing support for organizational programs and receiving recognition on the SIETAR USA website.
• Wild ApricotcoreTechnology or IntegrationWild Apricot provides membership management software powering the SIETAR USA website, including membership registration, event management, email communications, and member directory functionality.
• SIETAR Global NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR USA is a member of the SIETAR Global Network which includes chapters: SIETAR Europa, SIETAR Switzerland, SIETAR Canada, SIETAR Japan, SIETAR Brazil, SIETAR Southeast Asia, SIETAR Chile, SIETAR Australasia, SIETAR Argentina, and SIETAR India. The network facilitates global collaboration, joint events, and knowledge sharing across intercultural organizations.
• Young SIETARcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung SIETAR is an initiative focused on engaging emerging professionals and students in the intercultural field. They organize events, produce blog content including TOPOI GPT AI bot for intercultural communication, and collaborate with regional SIETAR chapters on programming.
• SIETAR EuropacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean SIETAR chapter that co-hosts the annual Virtual Institute & Film Festival and collaborates on global initiatives. They organize the Discuss & Debate (D&D) Club and other joint programming with SIETAR USA.
• SIETAR FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR France organizes events including the bilingual conference 'Intercultural Competence: Practices, Innovations and Controversies' and collaborates with other SIETAR chapters on international programming.
• SIETAR PolandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR Poland organizes the Discuss & Debate (D&D) Club under the patronage of SIETAR Europa and SIETAR USA, hosting virtual exchange sessions on intercultural topics.
• SIETAR JapanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR Japan hosted its 40th Anniversary Annual Conference in October 2025 in Tokyo on 'Intercultural Communication and Peace-Making Efforts', part of the global SIETAR conference calendar.
• SIETAR Deutschland (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR Germany organizes the annual FORUM conference, hosting events such as the 2025 Forum on 'Interculturality in Transition: Insights, Inspiration, Perspectives' in Erfurt, Germany.
• SIETAR Southeast AsiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR Southeast Asia organizes conferences including the 2025 conference 'Intercultural Insights for Thriving in Asia' co-hosted by Kasetsart Business School in Bangkok, Thailand.
• SIETAR SwitzerlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR Switzerland published the Swiss Journal of Intercultural Education, Training, and Research and hosted its 2025 Conference on Intercultural Leadership in Lucerne.
• SIETAR IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIETAR India publishes a monthly newsletter with articles on cultural topics from an Indian perspective and participates in the global SIETAR network.
• Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICI held a reunion event at the SIETAR USA 2025 conference. ICI has launched many careers in the intercultural field and supported professionals in developing competencies through training programs.
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown PortlandminorOthersConference venue partner for the 2025 SIETAR USA National Conference and 25th Anniversary Celebration. Located at 319 SW Pine Street, Portland, OR. Provided negotiated conference rates and meeting facilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): Largest HR professional association globally, with significant content and credentialing in DEI and inclusion. Competes for the same corporate DEI practitioner audience but operates at substantially greater scale and resource level.
• Association for Talent Development (ATD): Largest professional association for talent development practitioners, offering memberships, certifications, and a major annual conference. Comparable professional association model with overlapping corporate training and DEI practitioner audience.
• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): U.S. professional association linking colleges, employers, and professionals in career development and workforce readiness. Comparable nonprofit membership model serving professionals with conferences, content, and credentialing programs.
• TESOL International Association: Global professional association for English language teaching professionals. Overlaps with SIETAR USA in serving educators focused on cross-cultural communication, though centered on language instruction rather than broader intercultural training.

Direct peers

• SIETAR Europa: European sister chapter of the SIETAR Global Network that co-hosts the annual Virtual Institute & Film Festival and collaborates on global initiatives with SIETAR USA. Directly comparable in mission (intercultural education, training, and research) and member structure.
• NAFSA: Association of International Educators: U.S.-based professional association serving international educators and administrators, with a strong focus on intercultural competence and global learning. Closely comparable membership-based, conference-driven business model serving a similar professional niche.
• SIETAR Switzerland: Swiss chapter of the SIETAR Global Network that publishes the Swiss Journal of Intercultural Education, Training, and Research and hosted its 2025 Conference in Lucerne. Operates an equivalent member-driven research and conference model.
• Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI): Historical training and credentialing body in the intercultural field that held a reunion at SIETAR USA's 2025 conference. Directly comparable mission of career-launching intercultural training and credentialing for professionals in the field.
• SIETAR Japan: Japanese chapter of the SIETAR Global Network that hosted its 40th Anniversary Annual Conference in Tokyo in October 2025. Operates a parallel professional membership model for intercultural practitioners in its region.

Emerging players

• International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA): Professional membership association providing certifications, chapters, and conferences for business analysis professionals. Comparable nonprofit professional association model with tiered memberships, local chapters, and global events.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sietarusa3761/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/sietarusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sietar-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/sietarusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SIETAR USA