SNIA was incorporated in December 1997 and is a registered 501-C6 non-profit trade association. Its members are dedicated to "ensuring that storage networks become complete and trusted solutions across the IT community".

SNIA works towards this goal by forming and sponsoring technical work groups , by producing (with strategic partner Computerworld) the Storage Networking World Conference series, by building and maintaining a vendor neutral Technology Center in Colorado Springs, and by promoting activities that expand the breadth and quality of the storage networking market.