Members include a wide range of small independent presses, university and collegiate presses, and publishing companies with global operations; most members are based in the western United States and Canada.
PubWest members include printers, designers, binderies, and publishing freelancers.
It sponsors a National Publishing Conference and Book Industry Trade Show.
It also has a number of awards programs to recognize outstanding achievements in book publishing.
In February 2021, Mirriam Warren of No Nonsense Fly Fishing Guidebooks was elected president of the board of directors.