Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
Panel Built Inc. Named 'Best of Georgia' in Steel Products Manufacturing
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Jan. 3 -- The Modular Building Institute posted the following news release from its affiliate Panel Built:
* * *
Panel Built, Inc. Named "Best of Georgia" in Steel Products Manufacturing
Georgia Business Journal Recognizes Modular Construction Company for Quality and Customer Support
*
Panel Built, Inc., a leading manufacturer of modular buildings and prefabricated steel structures, has been awarded 'Best of Georgia' by the Georgia Business Journal in the Steel or Steel Products Manufacturer category.
The annual Best of Georgia awards are selected through a combination
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Jan. 3 -- The Modular Building Institute posted the following news release from its affiliate Panel Built:
* * *
Panel Built, Inc. Named "Best of Georgia" in Steel Products Manufacturing
Georgia Business Journal Recognizes Modular Construction Company for Quality and Customer Support
*
Panel Built, Inc., a leading manufacturer of modular buildings and prefabricated steel structures, has been awarded 'Best of Georgia' by the Georgia Business Journal in the Steel or Steel Products Manufacturer category.
The annual Best of Georgia awards are selected through a combinationof reader voting and editorial review, honoring companies that deliver high-quality products and services in their fields. Panel Built's recognition reflects the company's expertise in the rapidly growing industry of modular construction, as well as its commitment to solving customers' space needs with excellence and great customer service.
Founded in 1995 by brothers Pat and Mike Kiernan, Panel Built manufactures prefabricated modular systems for industrial, commercial, and government sectors. The company's wide range of products includes inplant offices, mezzanines, security booths, E-houses, cleanrooms, and exterior buildings. Each structure is custom designed to meet customers' unique challenges while complying with building codes and safety standards.
'We're honored to be recognized here in Georgia,' said Elizabeth Satterfield, Marketing Manager. 'This state is home for us, and we take pride in creating good jobs while representing Georgia-made products and innovation on a national and international level.'
Headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia, Panel Built's products are proudly American-made, allowing the company to assure quality, quick turnarounds, and dedicated support throughout the complete design and construction process.
For more information, visit panelbuilt.com.
Contact Information: esatterfield@panelbuilt.com
* * *
About Panel Built
Since 1995, Panel Built has been a trusted leader in designing and manufacturing fully tailored modular buildings for a variety of industries. We offer a complete line of custom modular solutions, including offices, mezzanines, security booths, prefabricated buildings, ballistic-rated guard houses, prefabricated towers, cleanrooms, and more.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.modular.org/2026/01/02/panel-built-inc-named-best-of-georgia-in-steel-products-manufacturing/
[Category: Construction]
MEMA Highlights New CEO, Strengthened Senior Leadership Team
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina, Jan. 3 [Category: Industrial Materials] -- MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association posted the following news release:
* * *
MEMA Highlights New CEO, Strengthened Senior Leadership Team
*
WASHINGTON, D.C. MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association, today reaffirmed its leadership transition and the strength of its senior executive team, underscoring the organization's focus on delivering greater value for vehicle suppliers across the mobility ecosystem.
In 2025, MEMA announced the appointment of Paul McCarthy as president and chief executive officer. McCarthy
... Show Full Article
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina, Jan. 3 [Category: Industrial Materials] -- MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association posted the following news release:
* * *
MEMA Highlights New CEO, Strengthened Senior Leadership Team
*
WASHINGTON, D.C. MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association, today reaffirmed its leadership transition and the strength of its senior executive team, underscoring the organization's focus on delivering greater value for vehicle suppliers across the mobility ecosystem.
In 2025, MEMA announced the appointment of Paul McCarthy as president and chief executive officer. McCarthybrings deep industry experience and a member-first mindset to the role, positioning MEMA to navigate a period of rapid transformation in vehicle technology, supply chains and public policy.
The leadership transition builds on the strong foundation established under former President and CEO Bill Long, whose tenure was marked by expanded member engagement, increased advocacy impact and the successful navigation of unprecedented industry disruption.
Supporting McCarthy is a seasoned senior leadership team that reflects MEMA's strategic priorities and commitment to advocacy, innovation and operational excellence. Senior leaders include:
* Emily Poladian, president, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers
* Collin Shaw, president, MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers
* Ana Meuwissen, senior vice president, government affairs, MEMA. The Vehicle Suppliers Association
* Mike Blawas, chief financial officer, MEMA. The Vehicle Suppliers Association
As announced in October, Emily Poladian joins MEMA with deep roots in the supplier community, bringing more than 27 years of industry experience from Bridgestone, where she most recently served as president of Bridgestone Mobility Solutions. At Bridgestone, she led a multi-billion-dollar aftermarket business with a focus on strategic growth, digital transformation and partnership development across global markets, underscoring her ability to drive value and innovation for MEMA's aftermarket supplier members.
Together, the leadership team is focused on embedding MEMA more deeply into the business priorities of its members, strengthening industry representation and ensuring vehicle suppliers' perspectives are heard in policy, regulatory and market discussions.
"MEMA's leadership reflects both continuity and momentum," said Jon Husby, chair of the MEMA Board of Directors and president and CEO of ADAC. "Paul McCarthy and the senior leadership team bring the experience, credibility and urgency our industry needs right now. The Board has full confidence in their ability to lead MEMA forward and deliver tangible value for vehicle suppliers."
About MEMA. The Vehicle Suppliers Association
MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association, is the leading trade association in North America for vehicle suppliers, parts manufacturers and remanufacturers. It has been the voice of the vehicle supplier industry since 1904. Its more than 1,000 members are Strong by Association.
Automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers are the largest manufacturing sector in the United States and lead the way in vehicle innovation. MEMA members supply the vehicle from cradle to grave: from its birth on the assembly line through the vehicle lifetime.
MEMA serves vehicle suppliers through two membership groups: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers. Our members conceive, design and manufacture the parts, systems and technologies that make up two-thirds of the value of every vehicle and keep hundreds of millions of vehicles on the road running safely and affordably. We meet and enhance society's transportation needs and our members are committed to safety, sustainable businesses, innovation, and the people who rely on us.
MEMA has offices in Washington, D.C.; Southfield, Mich.; and Research Triangle Park, N.C. Learn more at mema.org.
***
Original text here: https://www.mema.org/news/mema-highlights-new-ceo-strengthened-senior-leadership-team
AAHOA Applauds One-Year Delay of Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinetry
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 3 -- The Asian American Hotel Owners Association issued the following news release:
* * *
AAHOA Applauds One-Year Delay of Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinetry
AAHOA welcomes President Donald Trump's decision to delay the scheduled increase in tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities for an additional year. The tariff hikes, originally set to take effect on January 1, 2026, were postponed as the Administration continues negotiations with trade partners to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns related to wood products.
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 3 -- The Asian American Hotel Owners Association issued the following news release:
* * *
AAHOA Applauds One-Year Delay of Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinetry
AAHOA welcomes President Donald Trump's decision to delay the scheduled increase in tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities for an additional year. The tariff hikes, originally set to take effect on January 1, 2026, were postponed as the Administration continues negotiations with trade partners to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns related to wood products.The existing 25% tariff will remain in place during this period.
Furniture, cabinetry, and related fixtures represent significant capital investments for hotels, particularly for small business owners undertaking property improvement plans, brand-mandated renovations, and new development.
AAHOA looks forward to continuing engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure that trade policies balance national priorities with the economic realities facing America's hotel owners.
"This decision provides breathing room for America's hotel owners and small businesses," said AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel. "We thank President Trump for recognizing the real-world impact these tariffs have on entrepreneurs who are reinvesting in their properties, employing millions of workers, and supporting local economies. This pause is not just prudent--it's pivotal."
"Furniture, fixtures, and equipment can account for 15-20% of a hotel renovation's total cost, so abrupt tariff increases create real whiplash for small-business hoteliers," said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. "We thank President Trump for delaying the increase and giving owners time to plan, invest, and keep serving their communities."
* * *
About AAHOA
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation's GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.
* * *
Original text here: https://aahoa.com/public/storage/2026/01/02/news_files/file_17673709936957f0f142bbb.pdf
[Category: Travel]
Three Major Athletic Brands End Use of Kangaroo Leather
MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois, Jan. 2 [Category: Business] -- The National Sporting Goods Association posted the following news:
* * *
Three Major Athletic Brands End Use of Kangaroo Leather
*
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 2, 2026) - The Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action announced as of Jan. 1, 2026, Adidas, ASICS and New Balance have officially ceased using kangaroo leather in shoes. They join Nike, Puma, Sokito, and Diadora, which have already ended production using kangaroo skin. With Umbro committed to ending use in 2026 and Mizuno committed to phasing out all kangaroo leather
... Show Full Article
MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois, Jan. 2 [Category: Business] -- The National Sporting Goods Association posted the following news:
* * *
Three Major Athletic Brands End Use of Kangaroo Leather
*
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 2, 2026) - The Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action announced as of Jan. 1, 2026, Adidas, ASICS and New Balance have officially ceased using kangaroo leather in shoes. They join Nike, Puma, Sokito, and Diadora, which have already ended production using kangaroo skin. With Umbro committed to ending use in 2026 and Mizuno committed to phasing out all kangaroo leatherfrom its models, nine major athletic footwear companies in total have ended or pledged to end the practice.
"A corporate animal welfare victory unprecedented in scale and impact, accomplished through the Center's Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign," the Center for a Humane Economy said in its news release.
"In a five-year period, the Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign convinced all of the world's major athletic shoe companies to stop sourcing kangaroo skins for their soccer shoes, including some of the biggest brand names in all the world," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy. "This is a triumph of moral intention but also of human ingenuity at work to develop alternative products that perform for consumers. We can have it both ways - doing the right thing and delivering for consumers."
Adidas, Sokito, and Puma have all noted they have developed synthetic materials that are superior to kangaroo leather, according the Center for a Humane Economy.
Campaign Background
"The Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign launched in 2020 to expose the inhumane and unethical commercial kill of kangaroos in Australia with the aim of getting athletic wear shoemakers that used kangaroo leather for soccer cleats to stop using it, as the shoe production was driving the kill," the Center for a Humane Economy said. "Each year, approximately 2 million kangaroos are killed in Australia's commercial hunting industry - the largest land-based wildlife slaughter in the world. The kill includes nursing mothers, leaving joeys to die of starvation, predation, exposure, or blunt force trauma."
"The campaign employed a multi-faceted strategy combining direct corporate outreach, shareholder engagement, consumer education, and grassroots activism," said Jennifer Skiff, director of the Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign at the Center.
Activists staged protests in the United States, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and New Zealand and played a key role in the campaign.
"We also engaged with corporate shareholders and directors, appealing to them to stop their participation in an inhumane, unethical commercial kill that, in many cases, conflicted with their own corporate policies," said Skiff.
"The Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign is the most impactful wildlife campaign I've seen in my 20 years as an activist," said animal rights campaigner Donny Moss. "What began as a bold moral stance, that wildlife should never be commodified for fashion, has grown into a global movement that permanently changed an industry."
Said Skiff: "Each company chose to stop using kangaroo skin based on the facts we provided. Working together as a global team, we created an epochal shift by exposing the truth behind the kill. These wins send a clear message to other companies: cruelty has no place in commerce."
Looking Ahead
The Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action is now turning its attention to the larger set of kangaroo products in trade, including skins for uses other than athletic shoes and meat for pet food. The organizations are pushing forward with the Kangaroo Protection Act in the U.S. Congress, which would ban the import of kangaroo body parts or products made from kangaroo into the United States. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., introduced the Kangaroo Protection Act H.R. 1992 in March 2025. U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Cory Booker introduced a companion bill in the Senate in June 2025.
***
Original text here: https://nsga.org/news/three-major-athletic-brands-end-use-of-kangaroo-leather/
STAHLS' Makes Four Leadership Hires
MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois, Jan. 2 [Category: Business] -- The National Sporting Goods Association posted the following news:
* * *
STAHLS' Makes Four Leadership Hires
*
ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN (January 2, 2026) - STAHLS' announced the addition of four senior leaders to its commercial and platform teams. These strategic hires reinforce the company's commitment to scaling Fulfill Engine(tm), expanding enterprise partnerships and accelerating innovation across heat-transfer and on-demand fulfillment technologies.
The new leadership additions include Corey Cardinal, Vice President of Integrated
... Show Full Article
MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois, Jan. 2 [Category: Business] -- The National Sporting Goods Association posted the following news:
* * *
STAHLS' Makes Four Leadership Hires
*
ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN (January 2, 2026) - STAHLS' announced the addition of four senior leaders to its commercial and platform teams. These strategic hires reinforce the company's commitment to scaling Fulfill Engine(tm), expanding enterprise partnerships and accelerating innovation across heat-transfer and on-demand fulfillment technologies.
The new leadership additions include Corey Cardinal, Vice President of IntegratedPartnerships; Daniel Van der Kolk, Vice President of Enterprise Sales, Global; Janine Moore, Senior Director of Dimensional Embellishments; and Danielle Augustine, Vice President of Sales for Fulfill Engine technology. Together, these appointments reflect STAHLS' continued investment in collaboration, connectivity and category leadership as heat-transfer technology adoption accelerates across enterprise brands.
"Building our leadership team to serve an evolving global marketplace is how a 94-year-old family business continues to grow," said Carleen Gray, CEO of STAHLS'. "We deeply value the legacy leaders who built this company and its culture, and we are equally intentional about adding experienced talent with the expertise needed to compete, innovate, and scale globally. That balance, honoring what made us strong while investing in what's next, is what positions STAHLS' for long-term growth."
Expanding Leadership Across Platform, Enterprise, and Premium Decoration
* Corey Cardinal, VP of Integrated Partnerships, brings deep experience building strategic alliances and platform integrations that enable ecosystem-led growth and seamless collaboration across the print-on-demand marketplace.
* Daniel Van der Kolk, VP of Enterprise Sales, Global, is a seasoned global-sales leader with a strong track record of scaling complex, multi-region enterprise programs and long-term strategic partnerships.
* Janine Moore, Senior Director of Dimensional Embellishments, will lead the growth of STAHLS' premium decoration portfolio, including emblems, patches and advanced heat-applied solutions such as Liquid 3D(tm), STAHLS' patented dimensional decoration technology that is gaining traction with enterprise brands seeking elevated product differentiation.
* Danielle Augustine, VP of Sales, Fulfill Engine(tm), brings extensive experience in platform commercialization and customer adoption, helping brands and partners implement connected, automated workflows for on-demand decoration at scale.
Enabling Collaboration Through Fulfill Engine(tm)
As print on demand production becomes a strategic imperative, STAHLS' Fulfill Engine(tm) continues to connect the marketplace, linking ecommerce platforms, decorators, suppliers and brands into a unified production ecosystem that supports speed, customization and global scalability.
"These additions strengthen our ability to serve customers as heat-transfer technology scales across enterprise brands and on-demand becomes the standard," said Josh Ellsworth, Chief Revenue Officer at STAHLS. "This team brings together platform expertise, global enterprise sales leadership, premium
decoration innovation, and deep partnership experience, giving us the leadership depth needed to connect the marketplace, accelerate Fulfill Engine(tm) adoption, and help our partners grow through collaboration."
With these appointments, STAHLS' continues to invest in the people, platforms, and patented innovations that are redefining premium, on-demand decoration and shaping the future of connected fulfillment.
STAHLS' is a longtime member and supporter of NSGA. Ted Stahl is a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
***
Original text here: https://nsga.org/news/stahls-makes-four-leadership-hires/
Insurers Have Paid $22.4 Billion in Southern California Wildfire Claims
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 2 [Category: Insurance] -- The American Property Casualty Insurance Association posted the following news release:
* * *
Insurers Have Paid $22.4 Billion in Southern California Wildfire Claims
*
Insurers Remain Committed to Supporting Policyholders Through Recovery
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The following statement by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association responds to claims payment data released this week by the California Department of Insurance. The data reflects payments reported to CDI through November 17, 2025, by admitted insurers, the California FAIR
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 2 [Category: Insurance] -- The American Property Casualty Insurance Association posted the following news release:
* * *
Insurers Have Paid $22.4 Billion in Southern California Wildfire Claims
*
Insurers Remain Committed to Supporting Policyholders Through Recovery
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The following statement by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association responds to claims payment data released this week by the California Department of Insurance. The data reflects payments reported to CDI through November 17, 2025, by admitted insurers, the California FAIRPlan, and surplus lines carriers. This statement can be attributed to Denni Ritter, APCIA Department Vice President for State Government Relations.
"Insurers are committed to helping Californians recover and rebuild after the devastating wildfires in Southern California. From the very beginning, insurers have been on the frontlinesproviding immediate assistance, helping families secure temporary housing and supporting small businesses as recovery gets underway. Insurers will continue to stand with policyholders until communities are fully rebuilt and revitalized.
"According to data released by the California Department of Insurance on December 31, 2025, insurers have paid out more than $22.4 billion across 42,121 claims filed for the Eaton and Palisades wildfires. While the road to recovery will take time, insurers remain committed to working alongside residents and businesses every step of the way to help Southern Californians recover and rebuild."
The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is the primary national trade association for home, auto, and business insurers. APCIA promotes and protects the viability of private competition for the benefit of consumers and insurers, with a legacy dating back 150 years. APCIA members represent all sizes, structures, and regionsprotecting families, communities, and businesses in the U.S. and across the globe.
***
Original text here: https://www.apci.org/media/news-releases/release/87868/
Dietitians Call Attention to Errors in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian and Vegan Position Paper, Correcting Low Vitamin D Myth
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 [Category: Health Care] -- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine posted the following news release:
* * *
Dietitians Call Attention to Errors in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian and Vegan Position Paper, Correcting Low Vitamin D Myth
*
Dietitians should encourage their patients to adopt a plant-based diet, say dietitians with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in a letter to the editor responding to the recently updated Vegetarian Dietary Patterns for Adults: A Position Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which recommends
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 [Category: Health Care] -- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine posted the following news release:
* * *
Dietitians Call Attention to Errors in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian and Vegan Position Paper, Correcting Low Vitamin D Myth
*
Dietitians should encourage their patients to adopt a plant-based diet, say dietitians with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in a letter to the editor responding to the recently updated Vegetarian Dietary Patterns for Adults: A Position Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which recommendsthat dietitians only share information on vegetarian and vegan diets with patients who "express interest." The position paper also contains several errors, including statements that vegans have low vitamin D.
"Just as smoking cessation is recommended to all patients, regardless of their interest or motivation, so too should dietitians be allowed and encouraged to recommend adoption of a plant-based eating pattern to all patients," write Anna Herby, DHSc, RD, CDCES, and Noah Praamsma, MS, RDN, dietitians for the Physicians Committee.
Dr. Herby and Praamsma also say that the position paper, which was published in June 2025 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, mistakenly links vegetarian and vegan diets with vitamin D deficiency.
In their letter, they point out research cited in the paper showing that diet is a poor predictor of vitamin D status, and that people following vegetarian and vegan diets are not at higher risk: "On page 7 of the position paper, the text states: 'Evidence from large cohort studies shows a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in vegetarians, including vegans.' The cited source, however, stated the opposite, finding no significant difference in serum vitamin D concentrations based on vegetarian status."
They add, "The section on vitamin D also cited a 2021 systematic review of observational studies, but failed to correctly cite its stated conclusion, which was that, among those following vegan diets, serum vitamin D concentrations 'are not below healthy levels.'"
Vitamin D comes primarily from sun exposure. Most foods, including animal products, are naturally poor sources of vitamin D, say Dr. Herby and Praamsma, adding that planning is important regardless of vegetarian or nonvegetarian status.
The Physicians Committee has also requested an erratum to correct this error. They have also asked the Academy to retract the paper and make these and other corrections.
***
Original text here: https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/dietitians-call-attention-errors-academy-nutrition-and-dietetics-vegetarian-and
