Mid Atlantic Chapter International Society of Arboriculture, MAC ISA

What Mid Atlantic Chapter International Society of Arboriculture, MAC ISA does

MAC-ISA (Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership trade association founded in 1978 and headquartered at a virtual office in Wicomico Church, Virginia. The chapter serves arborists, urban foresters, utility vegetation managers, municipal forestry staff, and other tree care professionals across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, with a newsletter distribution reaching 1,250+ members. It operates as a regional component of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the largest global organization dedicated to arboriculture research, technology, and education. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors of 8 elected plus 2 appointed members and is supported by a small contracted staff of 1-10 people.

The chapter's core products are professional certification preparation and continuing education programs, including the Arborist Certification Course, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), ISA Certified Tree Climber (CTC), and the newer Wildfire Risk Reduction Qualification (WRRQ) delivered in partnership with the Virginia Department of Forestry. It also runs competitive and educational events — the Annual Meeting and Trade Show (October), Tree Climbing Championship (April, 45 climbers across five stations), and the Safety in Arboriculture Symposium (offered bilingually in English and Spanish) — plus member services such as a job board, the Canopy Coverage quarterly newsletter, and named scholarships and awards. There is no proprietary technology; operations run on third-party SaaS including RegFox for event registration and Constant Contact for email.

Revenue is generated through tiered annual membership dues ($0 student to $205 sustaining), event registration fees (e.g., TRAQ courses at $675-$795), corporate sponsorships across six tiers from Bronze ($750) to Elite ($10,000), branded merchandise, and donations including to the TREE Fund. Customer mix is segmented across commercial tree-care firms, utility vegetation management companies, municipal forestry departments, educational institutions, students, and retired professionals, with a slate of large national sponsors (Davey Resource Group, Bartlett Tree Experts, Asplundh, Xylem, Savatree) underwriting flagship events.

Name

Mid Atlantic Chapter International Society of Arboriculture, MAC ISA

Legal name

Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture

Website

https://mac-isa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MAC-ISA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit regional chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture serving arborists, urban foresters, and utility vegetation managers across DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia through ISA certification courses, professional events, and member services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association & Certification Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arborist Consulting, Tree Risk Assessments & Appraisals (HSAIADAJ), Tree Care & Arborist Services (IMAIAIAB)

Keywords

• Arborist certification
• Tree care association
• Professional membership
• Tree risk assessment
• Continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Wicomico Church

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues provide recurring revenue. Individual memberships range from $30-$190 depending on category (standard, ISA member discount, senior, bundled with ISA membership). Business memberships include vendor ($105) and sustaining ($205) levels. Membership covers 365 days from join date.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from registration fees for Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Tree Climbing Championship, certification courses (Arborist Certification, TRAQ), and Safety in Arboriculture events. Course fees vary: TRAQ courses $675-$795 depending on membership status.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple levels (Bronze $750, Silver $1,000, Gold $2,500, Platinum $5,000, Diamond $7,500, Elite $10,000) for Annual Meeting and Tree Climbing Championship events. Includes benefits such as complimentary registrations, exhibit space, and marketing exposure.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including vests ($56), beanies ($17), and event t-shirts ($10). Publications available through ISA Store.
5. Donations: Relies on generous financial support of donors and sponsors to achieve mission. Accepts PayPal donations and supports TREE Fund donations including Bonnie Appleton Memorial Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MAC-ISA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional membership organization that serves arborists and tree care professionals in the Mid-Atlantic region (DC, MD, VA, WV). It provides ISA certification preparation courses (Arborist Certification, TRAQ, CTC, WRRQ), professional development events (Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Tree Climbing Championship, Safety in Arboriculture Symposium), member services (newsletters, job listings, scholarships, awards), and sponsorships/partnerships supporting arboriculture research and education.

Product overview

MAC-ISA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional development and certification programs for arborists and tree care professionals. The core offerings include ISA certification preparation courses (Arborist Certification Course, TRAQ, CTC, WRRQ), competitive events (Tree Climbing Championship, Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Safety in Arboriculture Symposium), and member services (Scholarships, Awards, Job Listings, Canopy Coverage Newsletter, Shop). The organization operates on a membership model with tiered pricing and relies on sponsorships and donations to fund scholarships and research initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arborist Certification Course A three-day preparation course designed to assist tree care professionals in becoming ISA Certified Arborists, consistent with the Arborists' Certification Study Guide and exam domains.
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) A qualification program consisting of a 2-day educational course followed by a half-day assessment covering written and field components, teaching arborists how to use ISA Best Management Practices for Tree Risk Assessment.
• Tree Climbing Championship (TCC) Annual competition where 45 climbers showcase their climbing skills across five stations including Work Climb, Belayed Speed Climb, Ascent, Throwline, and Aerial Rescue, with winners representing the chapter at the International Tree Climbing Championship.
• Annual Meeting and Trade Show Premier gathering of tree care professionals in the Mid-Atlantic region held each October, offering professional development, networking, educational sessions, CEUs, and a trade show with exhibitors.
• Safety in Arboriculture Symposium Educational program combining the goals of the Annual Day of Safety and Day of Arboriculture, offering sessions in English and Spanish through field demonstrations and classroom presentations on safety topics for tree care professionals.
• ISA Certified Tree Climber (CTC) Credential Credential program for tree workers specializing in climbing work, demonstrating skill, endurance, safety awareness, and ability to perform arboricultural work efficiently.
• Wildfire Risk Reduction Qualification (WRRQ) Two-day credential course developed by Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Chapter ISA, equipping certified arborists with tools to help reduce wildfire risk and protect homes, property, and landscapes in the Wildland-Urban Interface.
• Membership Program Membership tiers including Individual ($65), ISA Member ($55), Senior ($30), Combined MAC-ISA and ISA ($190), Student ($0), Vendor ($105), and Sustaining ($205), offering discounts, exclusive resources, educational opportunities, and networking benefits.
• Awards & Recognitions Program Chapter awards including Award of Merit, Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Field Arborist Award, Honorary Chapter Membership, and ISA Gold Leaf Awards for Arbor Day and Landscape Beautification projects.
• Job Listings Service Free job posting service for members; non-members pay $50/month or $125 for three months. Job listings run for one month or until specified closing date.

Quantifiable outcome

• Newsletter distributed to over 1,250 members in the region
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1978MAC-ISA was established in 1978 as a component of ISA. ISA is the largest organization in the world dedicated to research, technology, and education in arboriculture. MAC-ISA operates under ISA's umbrella, offers ISA certification programs and credentials, and promotes ISA's mission in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAC-ISA partners with TREE Fund to further its mission of fostering research that supports the care and benefits of trees. MAC-ISA hosts TREE Fund events including a Golf Tournament and Motorcycle/Sports Car Ride during the Annual Meeting, with proceeds supporting the TREE Fund. MAC-ISA also manages the Bonnie Appleton Memorial Fund scholarship.
• Virginia Department of ForestrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAC-ISA partners with VA Dept of Forestry to offer the Wildfire Risk Reduction Qualification (WRRQ) credential. VDOF provides instructors (Chad Briggs, Mike Downey, Lara Johnson, Chad Stover) and a grant that made the training possible. VDOF also provided grants for TRAQ and Arborist Certification course scholarships for underserved areas of Virginia.
• Fredericksburg Convention CenterminorOthersVenue host for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Trade Show to be held October 4-6, 2026 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center.
• James Madison's MontpelierminorOthersHistoric venue hosting the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship on April 18-19, 2026 at James Madison's Montpelier in Orange, Virginia. The venue provides grounds for the competition and hosts the Saturday evening BBQ.
• Armstrong ArboriculturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Trade Show.
• Tech Tree ExpertscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Trade Show.
• Davey Resource GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship and sponsor for Safety in Arboriculture event. Davey employee Charlene Urquhart serves as MAC-ISA Treasurer.
• Bartlett Tree ExpertscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship and sponsor for Safety in Arboriculture event.
• Asplundh Tree Expert Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship.
• PennLinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship.
• XylemcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship and sponsor for Safety in Arboriculture event.
• Rappahannock Electric CooperativecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Trade Show and sponsor for 2026 Tree Climbing Championship.
• Milwaukee ToolcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Trade Show and sponsor for 2026 Tree Climbing Championship.
• Maryland Forest ServicecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Trade Show.
• SavatreecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship.
• Virginia Cooperative ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibitor at the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship.
• Virginia Master NaturalistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibitor at the 2026 Tree Climbing Championship.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): MAC-ISA's parent organization and the global credentialing body for arborists. Both sell certification prep, continuing education, and member benefits to the same arborist population, with ISA operating the worldwide umbrella and MAC-ISA delivering localized programming.
• National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP): Larger trade association covering the broader green industry including landscapers, lawn care, and tree care. Sponsors and overlaps with MAC-ISA's commercial arborist members who also hold NALP affiliations.
• Arbor Day Foundation: Large non-profit focused on tree planting and public education, administering the Tree City USA program. Touches the same municipal arborist audience that MAC-ISA serves through certification and continuing education.
• Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA): National trade association for commercial tree-care companies, offering Accreditation, safety programs, and publications. Targets the same employer base (Davey, Bartlett, Asplundh) that sponsors MAC-ISA events, with overlapping but broader industry scope.
• Society of American Foresters (SAF): National membership organization for foresters with continuing education, certifications (CF), and state/regional chapters. Adjacent professional society serving a related but distinct forestry practitioner base.

Others

• TREE Fund: Research and education endowment fund that MAC-ISA partners with to host fundraisers and administer the Bonnie Appleton Memorial Scholarship. Ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but operates in the same arboriculture research-and-education niche.

Direct peers

• Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA): Membership organization for municipal and urban forestry professionals. Directly overlaps with MAC-ISA's Municipal/Government Foresters segment, offering credential support, publications, and an annual conference.
• Texas Chapter ISA: Another large regional ISA chapter; co-developed the WRRQ credential with Texas A&M Forest Service that MAC-ISA now delivers. Same product mix and member economics across a different geography.
• American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA): National association for consulting arborists providing credentials, ethics standards, and peer networking. Shares the membership-association model and serves a subset of the same ISA-certified arborist population that MAC-ISA reaches.
• New England Chapter ISA: Sibling regional ISA chapter covering the New England states. Operates an essentially identical model — membership dues, certification prep courses (Arborist, TRAQ), annual meeting, and Tree Climbing Championship — making it the closest direct functional peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MACISA10
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mid-atlantic-chapter-international-society-of-arboriculture-mac-isa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mid Atlantic Chapter International Society of Arboriculture, MAC ISA