Founded in 1991, the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association is a non-profit global trade organization focused on providing solutions to the lodging industry and its distribution community and identifying distribution opportunities. Many industry leaders consider it to be a great way for networking with others in their industry, as well as to be able to stay up to date with such industry financial developments as market pricing, sales trends and domestic and foreign competitions among others. It also provides a forum for its members to communicate vital issues and get support and advice.

In meeting its objectives, the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association works to optimize the use of emerging and already existing technologies; to provide the opportunity for information exchange among its members; to educate industry members. The mission of the Association can be defined as following: to increase the hotel industry profitability and revenues from electronic distribution channels, and to become the premier travel industry association in terms of hotel electronic distribution advancement.

This can be achieved by providing the opportunity for open information exchange among members, optimizing the use of technology and influencing the development of emerging and existing electronic distribution channels.

Membership in the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association is open to any individual or organization, whose purposes, goals and actions comply with the mission of the association. Available are three types of membership, namely principal, allied and fellowship. Principal members include hotel chains and lodging hospitality companies that manage primary hotels inventory on distribution channels, while allied members feature individuals or companies that provide services and products to principal members, including distribution systems, travel agencies, technology providers, tour operators and ARC, CLIA and IATA affiliates.

Among the fellowship members of the Association are educational institutions, non-profit corporations and associations, approved for participation by the Board of Directors. Currently worldwide membership of HEDNA includes managers and executives from more than 200 influential companies in hotel distribution industry.

All of the organization's activities aim at stimulating the booking of hotel rooms through the Internet, Global Distribution Systems and some other electronic means. The Association brings all the segments of hotel industry together to promote the development of services and systems that are easy and efficient.

The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association offers a number of opportunities for vendors within electronic distribution to show their support through participating as sponsor during the scheduled conferences. As a response to its membership survey in 2004, the Association has expanded educational and networking opportunities beyond traditional global forums.

Thus, members are now invited to participate in learning sessions, held in cities worldwide and bringing together professionals in electronic distribution.