The National Association of Theater Owners, or NATO, is a trade group based in the United States that represents the interests of movie theater owners. It was founded in 1965 as the result of the merger of the Theater Owners of America and the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors. Major theater chains and independant theaters are found amongst its members. The members account for over 30,000 movie screens in the United States as well as cinemas in 50 countries worldwide.
NATO strives to influence federal policy-making and works with movie distributors on areas of mutual concern, such as new technologies or marketing.
