FAQS

• How much does NATO membership cost?

  NATO’s dues structure is divided into the following four membership categories.  Dues are assessed annually.  NATO’s fiscal year runs from 1-July to 30-June.

  1. U.S. Domestic  The 50 united states and the District of Columbia. Dues are $60 per screen, with a minimum dues payment of $200
  2. U.S. Territory  Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands. Several legislative issues in the United States affect territories governed by U.S. federal law, therefore NATO’s lobbying efforts affect these cinemas. Dues are $30 per screen, with a minimum dues payment of $200.
  3. Canada  Hollywood studios deal with Canadian exhibitors as domestic companies, and the most important issues for U.S. and Canadian exhibitors overlap. Dues are US$27.50 per screen, with a minimum dues payment of $200.
  4. International  All countries outside of the U.S. and Canada. Several key issues affect all cinemas on a global level (technology, windows, movie theft, etc.), so worldwide collaboration benefits all members. Annual dues are US$200 for companies operating 1-10 screens, US$500 for companies operating 11-19 screens, US$1,000 for companies operating 20-99 screens, and US$2,000 for companies operating 100 and more screens.
• What are the benefits?

  NATO Members Receive:

  Exclusive Content

  • Members only content on NATO’s website
  • Quarterly State of the Industry webinars on matters affecting the exhibition industry
  • Educational webinars on topics useful to movie theater owners and operators
  • Members only update reports on legislation and technology developments, as well as distribution and marketing policies
  • Members only quarterly reports on litigation matters affecting the exhibition industry

  Member Discounts

  • Registration discounts to CinemaCon, the Official Convention of NATO
  • A complimentary subscription to BoxOffice magazine, the official magazine of NATO
  • Free registration to the NATO Summit, held in Los Angeles
  • Hotel room discount at the Loews Hollywood Hotel and The Beverly Hilton

  Member Services

  • A full-time professional staff to provide information and guidance to members
  • Washington, D.C. representatives to monitor and influence laws and regulations that affect our members
  • Free ratings materials (posters, placards, decals, brochures)
  • Building consultants to guide exhibition on new developments in the industry’s infrastructure
  • Daily articles digest of news stories relevant to the exhibition industry
• What are the qualifications for joining NATO?
  • According to NATO’s bylaws, a Regular Member is any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other business entity which is directly engaged in the operation of one or more motion picture exhibition facilities.
  • A Regular Member can be a private and public sector (non-military) non-profit business entity in the United States of America and its Territories.
  • A Regular Member must exhibit DCP-encrypted movies authorized with a key (KDM) and/or exhibit movies via film (35mm or 70mm), in one or more fixed locations built for the purpose of motion picture exhibition.
  • A theater must be open and operating for at least 30 days to be considered for membership.