Accommodation and Food Services Trade Associations

Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)

Trade group for U.S. hotel owners providing advocacy, education, and networking; members collectively own about 60% of U.S. hotels.

https://www.aahoa.com Membership: 20,000

American Culinary Federation (ACF)

North America’s largest professional chefs’ organization, offering certification, education, competitions, and networking for culinarians across all segments of foodservice.

https://www.acfchefs.org Membership: 14,000

American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The largest U.S. hotel trade association representing lodging properties nationwide; focuses on advocacy, research, workforce, and industry resources.

https://www.ahla.com Membership: 32,000

American Resort Development Association (ARDA)

Trade association for the vacation ownership/timeshare and resort development industry, with corporate and individual members supported by advocacy, research, and events.

https://www.arda.org Membership: 500

Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF)

Only national association dedicated to self-operated healthcare and senior dining foodservice leaders; delivers benchmarking, education, advocacy, and a strong peer community.

https://www.healthcarefoodservice.org Membership: 1,300

Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA)

Global association for independent boutique and lifestyle hotels, providing community, education, and advocacy tailored to boutique owners and suppliers.

https://blla.org Membership: 750

Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART)

Community of hospitality training leaders from top restaurant, foodservice, and lodging companies; known for conferences, competency workshops, and peer learning.

https://www.chart.org Membership: 600

Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI)

Global society for foodservice consultants across design, operations, and management, upholding professional standards with continuing education.

https://www.fcsi.org Membership: 1,000

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)

International association for hospitality finance and technology professionals; offers CHAE/CHTP certifications, the HITEC conference, and a worldwide chapter network.

https://www.hftp.org Membership: 5,200

Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)

Global association for hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue optimization leaders—advancing hotel commercial strategy through events and education.

https://americas.hsmai.org Membership: 7,000

International Caterers Association (ICA)

Trade association for on‑ and off‑premise caterers delivering education, webinars, roundtables, and national events for catering businesses.

https://www.internationalcaterers.org Membership: 1,000

International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA)

Represents foodservice distributors and partners; provides advocacy, research, and industry convenings such as IFDA’s Solutions Conference.

https://www.ifdaonline.org Membership: 145

National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS)

Association for collegiate dining leaders offering benchmarking, best practices, professional development, and conferences for campus foodservice. (Approx. 550 institutional members plus nearly 500 industry members.)

https://www.nacufs.org Membership: 550

National Association of Concessionaires (NAC)

Trade association for the recreation and leisure‑time concessions industry (theaters, stadiums, parks) delivering education, certifications, and advocacy; rebranding to the Entertainment Food & Beverage Association (EF&B).

https://naconline.org Membership: 679

National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

National trade association for vending, micro markets, office coffee, and convenience services companies; provides advocacy, education, and research.

https://www.namanow.org Membership: 1,000

National Restaurant Association (NRA)

The national voice of the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry—advocacy, research, workforce development, and the annual National Restaurant Association Show.

https://www.restaurant.org Membership: 40,000

Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA)

Only association focused on restaurant facility management professionals; provides education, CRFP certification, resources, and a national conference. (Membership topped 1,143 in 2013.)

https://www.rfmaonline.com Membership: 1,143

School Nutrition Association (SNA)

National nonprofit for K‑12 school nutrition professionals, offering training, certification, advocacy, and the Annual National Conference for school foodservice.

https://schoolnutrition.org Membership: 50,000

The Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI; formerly ARVC)

The national association for private RV parks, campgrounds, and outdoor hospitality businesses (rebranded to OHI); delivers education, advocacy, and member benefits.

https://ohi.org Membership: 3,000

United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG)

National professional guild for bartenders and bar professionals, providing education, competitions, mental‑health resources, and community.

https://www.usbg.org Membership: 4,900