ASSOCIATION DES CINEMAS DU CANADA

What ASSOCIATION DES CINEMAS DU CANADA does

Association des cinémas du Canada (MTAC), operating under the English name Movie Theatre Association of Canada, is a Canadian non-profit trade association founded in 1980 and headquartered at 1235 Bay Street, Suite 700 in Toronto. The organization represents the interests of movie theatre exhibitors operating more than 3,000 screens nationwide, serving as the sole national body specifically dedicated to this constituency. MTAC delivers value through five core service lines: membership services (industry news, strategic counsel), government relations (navigation of menu labeling, film classification across six provincial boards, accessibility regulations, copyright collective negotiations, and amusement tax defense), international representation (NATO International Committee and Global Cinema Federation participation), a regional associations network spanning British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, and production of the ShowCanada annual industry conference.

MTAC's business model is a subscription-style membership dues structure funded by Canadian cinema exhibitors, augmented by ShowCanada conference sponsorship and registration revenue. The association does not sell technology products or operate a digital platform; its core technology is limited to information sharing and advocacy services. Its go-to-market is sales-led relationship development through regional associations, with member enrollment requiring theatre details, screen counts, seat numbers, and provincial association membership verification. MTAC occupies a unique regulatory and representational position that is not directly substitutable by any other organization, functioning as the formal voice of Canadian theatrical exhibition in domestic and international policy discussions.

Name

ASSOCIATION DES CINEMAS DU CANADA

Legal name

Association des cinémas au Canada

Website

https://mtacanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MTAC (Association des cinémas du Canada) is a Canadian non-profit trade association founded in 1980 that represents movie theatre exhibitors operating more than 3,000 screens nationwide, providing government relations advocacy, international representation, and the annual ShowCanada industry conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services (Film Exhibition)

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAKAA

Cinema Chains & Multiplex Operators

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYTHAHACAA

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

Keywords

• Cinema trade association
• Film exhibition advocacy
• Movie theatre industry
• Exhibitor representation
• Cinema attendance statistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

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: MTAC operates as a trade organization funded through membership fees from Canadian movie theatre exhibitors. The association provides value through industry news, government relations advocacy, international representation, and strategic counsel on industry issues.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Association des cinémas du Canada (MTAC) is the national trade association for the Canadian cinema exhibition industry, representing cinema operators including Cineplex, Galaxy Cinemas, IMAX, and independent theatre owners. Its core offerings are collective advocacy on policy issues affecting exhibitors, industry-wide data and statistics on cinema attendance, and the ShowCanada annual conference and trade show.

Product overview

MTAC is a trade organization (not a technology product company) offering membership-based advocacy and coordination services for Canadian movie theatre exhibitors. The portfolio consists of five interconnected service offerings: MTAC Membership Services providing access to industry news and strategic counsel; Government Relations Services addressing regulatory matters including menu labeling, film classification, and accessibility; International Representation through global cinema bodies; a Regional Associations Network supporting provincial regulatory needs; and the ShowCanada Conference as the premier annual industry gathering. There is no unified software platform or digital product architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trade association membership for cinema operators Annual membership in the national trade association for Canadian cinema operators, providing advocacy, industry data, and networking benefits. Available to national chains, regional groups, and independent exhibitors.
• ShowCanada annual conference and trade show Annual industry conference and trade show hosted by MTAC for cinema operators and their suppliers. Includes exhibitor booths, programming sessions, and networking events.
• Canadian cinema attendance and industry data reports Industry statistics and data reports on Canadian cinema attendance, box office performance, and market trends, published by MTAC for members and the broader industry.
• Industry advocacy and government relations Representation of the Canadian cinema exhibition industry to federal and provincial governments, regulators, and policy makers on issues such as film classification, taxation, accessibility, and exhibition funding.
• Industry partner and sponsorship program Partnership and sponsorship program for companies that supply goods or services to Canadian cinema operators, providing access to the association's events and member network.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Global Cinema FederationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTAC participates in the Global Cinema Federation, a worldwide organization linking major exhibition companies including AMC Entertainment, Regal Entertainment Group, Cineplex, Cinemark, Cinépolis, Cineworld, CJ-CGV, Event Cinemas, Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathé, Vue International and Wanda Cinemas. The federation aims to raise the industry's profile with regulatory agencies and address common concerns including film theft, theatrical exclusivity, music rights, accessibility, studio relations, technology, trade, and foreign investment.
• NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTAC sits on the NATO International Committee, collecting vital information from other jurisdictions regarding best practices in areas including collectives, technology, in-theatre marketing and other timely issues impacting the industry. NATO is the US trade association for theatre owners.
• UNIC (International Union of Cinemas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNIC is a founding member of the Global Cinema Federation alongside NATO. MTAC collaborates with UNIC on international cinema industry matters affecting the European and global exhibition market.
• Motion Picture Theatre Association of Central CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional association representing movie theatre exhibitors in Central Canada, working with MTAC on regulatory affairs, policy-making, distribution, emerging technologies, and marketing.
• Motion Picture Theatre Association of B.C.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional association representing movie theatre exhibitors in British Columbia, affiliated with MTAC for national representation and local market support.
• Motion Picture Theatre Association of AlbertacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional association representing movie theatre exhibitors in Alberta, working collaboratively with MTAC on provincial and national industry issues.
• Atlantic Motion Picture Exhibitors Association (AMPEA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional association representing movie theatre exhibitors in Atlantic Canada provinces, affiliated with MTAC for coordinated industry representation.
• Corporation des salles de cinéma du QuébeccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional association representing Quebec cinema operators, collaborating with MTAC on Quebec-specific and national industry matters.
• Association des propriétaires de cinémas du QuébeccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional association of cinema owners in Quebec, working with MTAC to represent exhibitor interests at provincial and federal levels.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA): The UK trade association for cinema operators, providing representation, research, and advocacy services to British exhibitors. Directly analogous in mandate and operating model to MTAC in the Canadian market.
• National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO): The US national trade association representing movie theatre owners; co-founder of the Global Cinema Federation alongside MTAC and sits on MTAC's international committee. Operates with the same exhibitor-advocacy mandate across the US market.
• International Union of Cinemas (UNIC): European trade body representing cinema operators across the EU; co-founder of the Global Cinema Federation and a strategic partner of MTAC on international cinema industry matters. Highly comparable in function and scope to MTAC at a regional level.

Broad incumbents

• Motion Picture Association (MPA): Global trade body representing major film studios (including MPA Canada). MTAC maintains partner links with MPA; while MPA represents the studio side rather than exhibitors, it addresses overlapping policy areas like piracy and theatrical windows.
• Film Distributors Association (FDA): Canadian association representing film distributors; sits adjacent to MTAC in the Canadian film value chain and is referenced as an industry partner. Thematically adjacent but focused on the distribution rather than exhibition side.

Emerging players

• Independent Cinema Office (ICO): UK-based organization supporting independent and community cinemas with programming, training, and advocacy. Comparable in serving smaller and specialized exhibitors, though with a programming-support rather than pure trade-association emphasis.

Regional players

• Corporation des salles de cinéma du Québec: Regional association representing Quebec cinema operators, collaborating with MTAC on Quebec-specific and national industry matters. A francophone sub-national peer with overlapping regulatory focus.
• Motion Picture Theatre Association of Central Canada (MPTACC): Regional affiliate association representing movie theatre exhibitors in Central Canada, working with MTAC on regulatory affairs, policy-making, distribution, and marketing. Functions as a sub-national peer with an overlapping exhibitor base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/movie-theatre-association-of-canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ASSOCIATION DES CINEMAS DU CANADA