Featured Stories
Guard Vietnam-era Unit to Receive Presidential Citation at NGAUS Conference
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 -- The National Guard Association of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Guard Vietnam-era Unit to Receive Presidential Citation at NGAUS Conference
Indiana Rangers were among the most decorated Army units in Southeast Asia
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An Indiana National Guard infantry company that fought in the Vietnam War will be formally recognized with the U.S. military's highest unit award Saturday at the 148th General Conference & Exhibition here at the Indiana Convention Center.
Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry will be presented with the Presidential Unit Citation, which
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 -- The National Guard Association of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Guard Vietnam-era Unit to Receive Presidential Citation at NGAUS Conference
Indiana Rangers were among the most decorated Army units in Southeast Asia
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An Indiana National Guard infantry company that fought in the Vietnam War will be formally recognized with the U.S. military's highest unit award Saturday at the 148th General Conference & Exhibition here at the Indiana Convention Center.
Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry will be presented with the Presidential Unit Citation, whichis given for extraordinary heroism, gallantry and determination in action against an armed enemy under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.
The Indiana Rangers, which is how unit members are known today, received more individual decorations during a one-year deployment than any other Army infantry company in the Vietnam War.
They earned 19 Silver Stars, one Soldiers Medal, 123 Bronze Stars (88 with "V" device for valor), 101 Purple Hearts, 111 Air Medals and 183 Army Commendation Medals (29 with "V" device), according to the Army Historical Foundation, but never a unit award.
Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., spearheaded the effort to change that. She put the unit in for the PUC earlier this year.
About 40 members of Company D -- all now in their 80s -- will attend the ceremony.
"Our nation has long owed these men and their families this recognition," said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the association's president. "We're thrilled to host the ceremony. I doubt there will be many dry eyes in the room."
More than 4,000 current and former Guard officers, family members and supporters from around the country will attend the conference, which begins today and runs through Monday.
The gathering is the annual NGAUS business meeting. The agenda also features professional development, information sharing and networking opportunities. More information about the conference is available at www.ngaus.org/conference.
Featured speakers include Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, the acting chief of staff of the Army, and Space Force Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, the director of Golden Dome.
Braun, Nordhaus, LaNeve and Spartz will all participate in the Presidential Unit Citation presentation.
Also included on the business agenda are panel discussions on recent developments in asymmetric warfare, 9/11, and post-traumatic growth.
The "Remembering 9/11" panel features retired Air Force Maj. Heather Penney, who scrambled on possible suicide mission to intercept United Flight No. 93, and retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert Darling, who spent 24-consecutive hours in the White House underground situation room that day as the liaison to the Pentagon.
The full agenda is at www.ngaus.org/events/148th-general-conference-exhibition/148th-general-conference-exhibition-business-agenda.
As the event name indicates, there is also an industry exhibition. This year it includes nearly 350 companies and organizations that offer products and services to the Guard. Exhibitors include small businesses as well as some of the world's biggest defense corporations.
Reporters, Editors & Producers: Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn is available for interviews or to appear as a subject matter expert on issues related to the National Guard. Contact John Goheen at 202-306-0918 to schedule an interview or appearance. He can also arrange interviews with the Indiana Rangers.
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About NGAUS: The association includes nearly 45,000 current or former Guard officers. It was created in 1878 to provide unified National Guard representation in Washington. In their first productive meeting after Reconstruction, militia officers from the North and South formed the association with the goal of obtaining better equipment and training by educating Congress on Guard requirements. Today, 148 years later, NGAUS has the same mission.
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Original text here: https://www.ngaus.org/newsroom/guard-vietnam-era-unit-receive-presidential-citation-ngaus-conference
[Category: National Defense]
National Wild Turkey Federation: Planting for the Poults
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Aug. 28 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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Planting for the Poults
As part of a Bass Pro and Cabela's Outdoor Fund grant awarded to the National Wild Turkey Federation earlier this year, the NWTF and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have partnered to convert an old agricultural field to a wildlife meadow on the Waldo Tract within the Mohegan State Forest, in Sprague, Connecticut.
The project entailed planting conservation seed, including warm-season grasses and a pollinator mix, across 16
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EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Aug. 28 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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Planting for the Poults
As part of a Bass Pro and Cabela's Outdoor Fund grant awarded to the National Wild Turkey Federation earlier this year, the NWTF and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have partnered to convert an old agricultural field to a wildlife meadow on the Waldo Tract within the Mohegan State Forest, in Sprague, Connecticut.
The project entailed planting conservation seed, including warm-season grasses and a pollinator mix, across 16acres. These habitat enhancements will support nesting brooding hens and poults and create better quality hunting opportunities throughout the year, contributing to the NWTF's Forests and Flocks Initiative. The Mohegan State Forest offers a variety of hunting opportunities, including small game, waterfowl, turkey and deer.
After seeding, the NWTF conducted herbicide treatments along the edge of the tract, targeting invasive species, such as mile-a-minute vine that outcompete native species. The site will be monitored, and follow-up treatments will be completed as needed.
"This project directly supports the Forests and Flocks Initiative by restoring and enhancing high-quality early successional habitat within a largely forested landscape," said Kaylee Szymanski, NWTF district biologist. "Converting a former agricultural field into a diverse native warm-season grass and pollinator-friendly alluvial grassland will create critical brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys by providing abundant insects, overhead cover and open travel corridors essential for poult survival during the first few weeks of life."
The Waldo Tract runs along the Shetucket River and is situated within a migratory bird corridor. The enhanced habitat will not just benefit the wild turkey and other species that live their annual cycle in the forest, but also migratory birds.
"NWTF members in the state of Connecticut are very pleased to use funds to improve wild turkey habitat and sportsmen's access," said Dave Shepack, NWTF Connecticut State Chapter president. "Our chapter is glad to see these funds used in our state."
This work complements additional accomplishments in the northeast that were made possible through the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund.
Like the Waldo Tract project, the NWTF and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources bolstered habitat for the wild turkey by planting a pollinator mix and targeting invasive species on 100 acres. These kinds of habitat projects wouldn't be possible without the support of NWTF volunteers and dedicated partners like Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's.
Learn more about the NWTF's Forests and Flocks Initiative (https://www.nwtf.org/programs/forests-and-flocks).
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About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to create healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.
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Original text here: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/planting-for-the-poults
[Category: Animals]
Military Officers Association: August Recess Ends - What's Next for Congress Before the Election
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news:
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August Recess Ends: What's Next for Congress Before the Election
By: Terry Waters
Lawmakers will have only 16 legislative days between their impending return to Washington, D.C., and their departure for the midterm elections. This leaves a limited window to avert a government shutdown and accomplish other unfinished business.
The House of Representatives will be back in session Aug. 31, and the Senate will join them Sept. 14. With the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, passing appropriations
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news:
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August Recess Ends: What's Next for Congress Before the Election
By: Terry Waters
Lawmakers will have only 16 legislative days between their impending return to Washington, D.C., and their departure for the midterm elections. This leaves a limited window to avert a government shutdown and accomplish other unfinished business.
The House of Representatives will be back in session Aug. 31, and the Senate will join them Sept. 14. With the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, passing appropriationslegislation to keep the government open is the dominant issue - everything else competes for scraps of time. At this point on the calendar, bills unrelated to funding regularly stall or are attached to must-pass appropriations packages.
Both chambers will go on recess in early October for the 2026 midterm elections. Thirty-five seats in the Senate and all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs. The outcome, and the future of the many bills being considered by Congress, is uncertain.
Here is a look at some of the key pieces of legislation MOAA will be pressing lawmakers to pass before time is up.
Will There Be Another Shutdown?
The federal government shut down from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12 last year, with the funding lapse lasting a record 43 days before a continuing resolution reopened most agencies.
A second shutdown began Jan. 31 for several agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, which affected the Coast Guard. Funding was not restored for a record-breaking 76 days.
While the specter of another shutdown remains, Congress failing to agree to pass a continuing resolution by Sept. 30 is unlikely. There is little appetite for a shutdown before the election, and both the House and Senate have passed competing stopgap spending bills that would keep the government open until December. MOAA expects passage of one of these bills will be the top priority for lawmakers once they return to Washington.
MOAA has long held that lapses in funding financially harm servicemembers and hurt readiness. We have called on Congress to work together to reverse this trend of increasingly common shutdowns. Passing legislation to protect those in uniform from the harmful effects of a shutdown would bring a measure of certainty and enable servicemembers to better focus on their mission.
National Defense Authorization Act
Among the legislative packages for floor consideration in September is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Both the House and Senate have proposed versions of the must-pass annual NDAA, and Congress is expected to take up the bill shortly after returning.
The House passed its version (H.R. 8800) in late July. It authorizes a $1.15 trillion budget, includes a tiered pay raise of 5% to 7%, reverses cuts to more than 40 military treatment facilities (MTFs), mandates additional oversight for the TRICARE pharmacy benefit, and more.
The Senate version (S. 4784), with a topline budget of $1.14 trillion, was advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee in June but has not been brought to the floor. It shares provisions aimed at reversing MTF cuts and enhancing pharmacy oversight, but authorizes only a 3.6% pay raise across the board. It also contains a provision that would establish a digital system to improve TRICARE beneficiary access to care, a priority of MOAA's.
Once S. 4784 passes the Senate, negotiations will begin between the chambers on a final bill. MOAA will continue monitoring the NDAA as it develops this fall and will engage with lawmakers and their staffs to keep key provisions supporting servicemembers and their families in the final bill.
Take Care of America's Veterans Act
The Take Care of America's Veterans Act (TCAVA) is a sweeping omnibus bill including more than 60 pieces of legislation supporting veterans, survivors, and caregivers. Provisions such as the Major Richard Star Act, the Love Lives On Act, and the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement (3R) Act address high-level MOAA priorities.
Leaders in the House postponed a scheduled vote on TCAVA shortly before leaving Washington in July. While general support among veterans is high, there remains an active debate concerning the source of TCAVA's funding and codifying the VA's upcoming changes to disability ratings for sleep apnea and tinnitus.
The provisions in TCAVA will greatly help many veterans, survivors, and caregivers - past, present and future. This bill is a pivotal opportunity to achieve long-awaited wins for veterans across the country. Taking no action is likely to result in the funds earmarked by this legislation being removed from the wider veteran community entirely and returned to the Treasury.
TCAVA may be brought back to the floor for action in September, and MOAA will continue to work with lawmakers, their staffs, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to make sure this opportunity is not wasted.
Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard
With only 16 legislative days before recess, lawmakers will be weighing many priorities. Advocacy leaders and volunteers around the country are engaged in MOAA's Summer Advocacy in Action campaign in support of three priorities: the Major Richard Star Act, military spouse employment, and pharmacy parity for TRICARE For Life beneficiaries.
Before recess, Congress needs to keep hearing from the people affected by these decisions. With competing priorities and a looming election, it will be up to uniformed servicemembers, families, veterans, and survivors to ensure those who serve and have served aren't lost in a crowded docket. Please register as an advocate, get involved in your community, and take action today.
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Waters started at MOAA in 2020 with the Member Service Center. He earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. Before joining the MOAA team, he worked as a congressional intern for Rep. Don Young.
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Original text here: https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2026-news-articles/advocacy/august-recess-ends-whats-next-for-congress-before-the-election/
[Category: National Defense]
ITI Reacts to Progress in Anthropic PBC v. U.S. Department of War
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 [Category: Computer Technology] -- The Information Technology Industry Council posted the following news release:
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ITI Reacts to Progress in Anthropic PBC v. U.S. Department of War
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WASHINGTON - Today, global tech trade association ITI reacted to the decision to grant a motion for summary judgment in the Anthropic PBC v. U.S. Department of War, et al. lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California:
"The court's decision upholds the rule of law in U.S. public procurement, which is essential for safeguarding America's status as a
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 [Category: Computer Technology] -- The Information Technology Industry Council posted the following news release:
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ITI Reacts to Progress in Anthropic PBC v. U.S. Department of War
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WASHINGTON - Today, global tech trade association ITI reacted to the decision to grant a motion for summary judgment in the Anthropic PBC v. U.S. Department of War, et al. lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California:
"The court's decision upholds the rule of law in U.S. public procurement, which is essential for safeguarding America's status as aworld leader in AI innovation by preserving the U.S. government's longstanding business relationships with the commercial technology sector," said ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman. "ITI helped lead the charge in this case on behalf of the entire tech industry. Our key role in advising the court as amicus led to a legal outcome that ensures the U.S. government has access to the most innovative solutions in the world. Importantly, yesterday's ruling removes uncertainty for businesses across industry seeking to partner with the U.S. government."
ITI and a broad coalition representing companies from all parts of the U.S. economy filed an amicus brief in March. The brief noted the tremendous potential impacts of the government's actions on the federal contracting community and was quoted heavily in the court's ruling. While this ruling on the merits in the N.D. Cal. court represents a significant victory for Anthropic and the contracting community, it is important to note that a ruling on the merits in a parallel action filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is still pending.
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Original text here: https://www.itic.org/news-events/news-releases/iti-reacts-to-progress-in-anthropic-pbc-v-u-s-department-of-war
DMS Provider Enhances Partnership, Supporting Shared Educational Efforts Focused on Dealer Growth
BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota, Aug. 28 -- The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas issued the following news:
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DMS Provider Enhances Partnership, Supporting Shared Educational Efforts Focused on Dealer Growth
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces BiT DMS has elevated its partnership to the Platinum Partner level.
MRAA's Platinum Partner program recognizes organizations that make a substantial commitment to supporting the association's mission and the long-term success of marine retailers. Through the partnership, BiT DMS will have additional opportunities
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BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota, Aug. 28 -- The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas issued the following news:
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DMS Provider Enhances Partnership, Supporting Shared Educational Efforts Focused on Dealer Growth
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces BiT DMS has elevated its partnership to the Platinum Partner level.
MRAA's Platinum Partner program recognizes organizations that make a substantial commitment to supporting the association's mission and the long-term success of marine retailers. Through the partnership, BiT DMS will have additional opportunitiesto contribute expertise and educational content that helps dealers strengthen their operations and make informed business decisions.
"We moved to the Platinum Partnership level because we believe supporting dealers requires more than providing software; it means investing in the continued strength of the marine industry," said Edward MacFawn, President, BiT DMS. "As customer expectations, technology and business conditions continue to evolve, dealerships need software that can evolve with them. MRAA gives dealers the education, resources and community they need to keep improving. That closely aligns with BiT's mission to help dealerships operate more efficiently, adapt with confidence and build stronger businesses for the future."
A Shared Commitment to Dealer Success
BiT DMS, a dealer management software (DMS) provider based in Knoxville, Tenn., works with marine dealerships, marinas, boatyards and service centers to help them operate more efficiently and better understand business performance. Its fully web-based platform brings together sales, service, parts, slips and storage, and customer relationship management (CRM) functions, providing marine businesses with the information needed to manage costs, improve workflows and make informed decisions.
"The BiT DMS team is committed to helping marine dealers understand and address their daily challenges, making them a valuable resource for the industry," said Nichole Wishart, MRAA Account Executive. "Their continued investment as a Platinum Partner, focused on dealer advancement through shared thought leadership, will provide retailers with valuable insights and resources, supporting MRAA's mission to fuel dealer success."
The MRAA Partner Membership Program brings together marine manufacturers, solution providers, service companies and industry leaders who share a commitment to supporting the dealer community. Platinum Partners make an elevated investment in MRAA's mission and play a key role in expanding resources available to marine retailers. View the complete Platinum Partner lineup.
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About BiT DMS
Since 1985, BiT DMS has helped marine dealerships, boatyards, marinas and service centers manage their day-to-day operations more efficiently. BiT understands the challenges of running a dealership and cares about helping each business get the best from its people, processes and opportunities. Its fully web-based dealer management system connects sales, service, parts, slips and storage, and customer relationships to help businesses control costs, understand profitability, prioritize work and make informed decisions. BiT serves hundreds of businesses and thousands of users across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Learn more at https://bitdms.com/marine.
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About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA)
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the trusted catalyst for success in the marine retail industry. Dedicated to fueling dealer growth and strengthening the boating experience, MRAA delivers industry-leading insights, expert guidance and proven solutions that assist marine retailers in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. Through education, advocacy and innovative resources, MRAA empowers dealers to thrive, and help drive a stronger more sustainable marine industry. Learn more at MRAA.com.
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URL: BiT DMS
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Original text here: https://mraa.com/mraa-platinum-partner-bit-dms/
[Category: Business]
American Bus Association: Continuity for the Road Ahead
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The American Bus Association issued the following news:
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Continuity for the Road Ahead
ABA Leadership Backs Fred Ferguson's Vision and Momentum
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The American Bus Association Board of Directors recently extended President & CEO Fred Ferguson's contract for four years, reflecting both confidence in ABA's current direction and a clear commitment to continuity as the Association enters its second century.
Fred joined ABA in July 2024 at an important moment for the Association and the industry. Motorcoach and group travel businesses were navigating post-pandemic normalization,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The American Bus Association issued the following news:
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Continuity for the Road Ahead
ABA Leadership Backs Fred Ferguson's Vision and Momentum
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The American Bus Association Board of Directors recently extended President & CEO Fred Ferguson's contract for four years, reflecting both confidence in ABA's current direction and a clear commitment to continuity as the Association enters its second century.
Fred joined ABA in July 2024 at an important moment for the Association and the industry. Motorcoach and group travel businesses were navigating post-pandemic normalization,cost pressure, workforce challenges, evolving consumer expectations, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment. In his first message to members, Fred described ABA as "the connectors of people and places" and emphasized that the Association would "lead from the front" in advocating for the people, values, and industries ABA represents.
That commitment has now become part of the operating agenda.
A Strategic Plan Built for Action
One of the clearest signs of progress has been ABA's renewed strategic discipline. In 2025, ABA introduced a forward-looking strategic plan designed to align the Association around measurable outcomes, stronger member value, and long-term industry leadership. The plan was built to strengthen advocacy, expand networks, develop the workforce, and elevate motorcoach travel within North America's transportation and tourism landscape.
ABA's current 2026-2028 rolling strategic plan sharpens that direction around five core objectives: maintain ABA Marketplace dominance, re-center bus operators, advance advocacy gains, lead professional development, and amplify ABA's reputation. It also defines ABA's operating pillars as Advocacy, Operations & Safety, Workforce & Culture, and Marketplace.
Those priorities are not abstract. They have become visible in ABA's governance decisions, public policy work, member communications, research agenda, event strategy, and brand positioning.
Re-Centering the Bus Operator
Fred's leadership has placed renewed emphasis on a simple operating principle: the health of the bus operator drives the health of the broader group travel ecosystem.
In a June 2026 column, Fred wrote that "the bus is the engine of the group travel industry," noting that when bus operators are healthy, tour companies, destinations, attractions, hotels, restaurants, and travel suppliers all benefit. He tied that principle directly to ABA's work on affordability, insurance, tolling, idling enforcement, fuel tax fairness, and regulatory parity.
That operator-first approach also shows up in ABA's governance. In 2025, ABA expanded its Board of Directors to 58 seats, including 35 dedicated to bus operators. The expansion created more representation for small operators while also increasing participation from the broader travel sector, including destinations, attractions, hotels, and tour operators.
The message is clear: ABA is strengthening the table so more of the industry can help shape the path forward.
Advocacy With a Stronger Federal Posture
Perhaps the most visible change under Fred's leadership has been ABA's more assertive federal advocacy posture.
In July 2025, Fred testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety. His testimony focused on the role of private motorcoaches in America's mobility ecosystem, including intercity travel, charter service, disaster response, military movement, commuter access, and rural mobility. ABA described the appearance as a major milestone and part of the Association's work to ensure motorcoach priorities are reflected in surface transportation reauthorization.
That stronger posture has not been limited to major testimony or national policy letters. Over the past year, ABA has also used smaller, Council-centered Capitol Hill fly-ins to put more members directly in front of lawmakers and staff. The African American Motorcoach Council held its first Capitol Hill Fly-In in September 2025, bringing operators to Washington to discuss highway bill reauthorization, rural connectivity, security funding, and supply chain challenges. ABA described the event as its first "micro fly-in," with attendance exceeding expectations and reinforcing the value of consistent, member-driven advocacy.
ABA built on that model again in 2026 with fly-ins for the Next Era Leadership and the Women in Buses Councils, giving emerging leaders direct exposure to congressional advocacy and helping connect the industry's future leadership to today's policy agenda. Participants highlighted priorities including motorcoach security grants, facility access, fairness in lane and congestion programs, a practical federal idling standard, tariff relief, and stronger federal economic measurement for the bus and group travel industry.
Together, these targeted fly-ins have broadened recognition of the industry on Capitol Hill, strengthened relationships beyond ABA's staff-led advocacy, and supported the Association's current push for practical federal policy wins.
That work has continued into 2026. ABA has engaged House and Senate leaders on highway bill priorities including fuel tax equity, the Intercity Bus Program, reasonable access to federally funded facilities, insurance standards, tolling fairness, charter rule enforcement, practical idling standards, and a more complete review of federal transportation subsidies across modes.
ABA also helped advance significant provisions in the House surface transportation proposal, including toll parity for charter buses, HOV access for private motorcoaches, faster timelines for charter bus rule complaints, stronger access protections for federally funded transit facilities and terminals, expanded rural intercity bus infrastructure support, preservation of current motorcoach insurance minimums, and continued federal fuel tax rebate treatment.
At the same time, ABA has brought industry concerns into specific regulatory and legal fights. In New York City, ABA helped raise concerns about punitive enforcement of idling and supported the bipartisan BUSES Act, which would establish reasonable federal guardrails for limited operational idling necessary for safety, accessibility, and passenger comfort. Fred testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment in June 2026, arguing that federal law should distinguish between avoidable idling and limited engine operation required for federally regulated safety and accessibility functions.
The BUSES Act later advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment by voice vote with no recorded opposition, marking an important step for ABA's advocacy campaign.
Marketplace as the Business Engine
ABA's strategic plan also calls for maintaining Marketplace dominance, and recent results show why that remains central to the Association's value proposition.
An independent Tourism Economics analysis found that ABA Marketplace 2026 generated an estimated $124.9 million in total sales-based transaction activity. That includes $49.0 million in business booked directly at Marketplace and $75.9 million in anticipated future business tied to Marketplace appointments and connections.
The underlying report describes Marketplace as a structured, appointment-based business development platform that connects tour operators, destinations, attractions, lodging providers, motorcoach operators, and travel partners across North America. Survey results also showed strong engagement, with 88 percent of firms reporting that Marketplace 2026 met or exceeded expectations for generating business and an overall likelihood-to-return score of 8.8 out of 10.
ABA is already applying those findings to the next stage of Marketplace development. For Calgary in 2027, ABA has re-established the Marketplace Advisory Committee and is focusing on stronger networking, greater accountability, better buyer standards, and higher ROI for delegates.
That focus reflects a broader strategic point: Marketplace is not simply an annual event. It is a commercial platform for the bus and group travel ecosystem.
Building the Evidence Base
Fred's tenure has also coincided with a stronger research and communications posture for ABA and the ABA Foundation.
A Tourism Economics analysis of U.S. motorcoach travel reported 37.6 billion passenger miles in 2024, $69.8 billion in direct spending, $158.0 billion in total economic impact, and 885,496 total jobs supported.
Those numbers give ABA a stronger platform with policymakers, media, members, and partners. They help make the case that motorcoach travel is not a niche sector. It is a major contributor to tourism, mobility, employment, tax revenue, and community connectivity.
ABA has also elevated the sustainability case. Recent research confirmed motorcoach travel as the most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible mode of passenger transportation in North America, with motorcoaches outperforming other modes in energy consumption per passenger-mile and producing the least CO2 per passenger-mile.
Reputation, Communications, and Centennial Positioning
The Association's external profile has also grown. In 2025, ABA was named National Motorcoach and Group Travel Association of the Year, with recognition tied to its advocacy, innovation, member-first culture, strategic plan, Capitol Hill presence, record-setting Marketplace performance, and expanded communications work.
ABA also received the 2025 CommImpact Award for Effective Member Engagement, recognizing a communications model built around member stories, industry news, original reporting, council content, economic and regulatory insights, and an integrated News Center strategy.
The Association's refreshed brand identity, unveiled ahead of its centennial, connected the next phase of ABA's work to its strategic pillars: advocacy, safety and operational support, workforce development, and sales growth. The rebrand followed a year-long strategic planning process and was designed to align ABA's public identity with its future direction.
Together, these actions strengthen ABA's reputation as the authoritative voice for the motorcoach, charter bus, group travel, and tourism industries.
A Vote for Continuity
The Board's decision to extend Fred Ferguson's contract is ultimately a vote for continuity at a time when ABA has momentum, and the industry faces both opportunity and challenge.
The Association is entering its second century with a clearer strategy, a stronger advocacy operation, a more representative governance structure, a renewed focus on operators, measurable Marketplace results, a modernized brand, and a more robust research platform.
For ABA members, that matters because the work ahead is not short-term. The industry is facing affordability pressures, workforce needs, insurance challenges, regulatory complexity, cross-border travel concerns, infrastructure debates, major global events, and ongoing competition for public and policy attention. Those issues require sustained leadership and disciplined execution.
Fred's four-year extension gives ABA the continuity to keep building. It allows the Association to carry its strategic plan forward, deepen its advocacy gains, strengthen Marketplace, expand professional development, elevate operators, and continue telling the story of an industry that connects people with places and helps communities thrive.
As ABA enters its next century, the road ahead demands an Association that is focused, practical, member-driven, and ready to lead. This extension signals that ABA intends to stay on that road.
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Original text here: https://www.buses.org/news/continuity-for-the-road-ahead/
[Category: Transportation]
American Academy of Neurology: Reduced Brain Volume May Act as a Clock for Progression to Early-onset Dementia
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Aug. 28 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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Reduced brain volume may act as a clock for progression to early-onset dementia
In people diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, a biomarker tool that detects shrinkage of the brain's gray matter may predict how quickly someone may progress from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia, according to a new study published August 26, 2026, in Neurology(R), an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease develops before age
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Aug. 28 (TNSjou) -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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Reduced brain volume may act as a clock for progression to early-onset dementia
In people diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, a biomarker tool that detects shrinkage of the brain's gray matter may predict how quickly someone may progress from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia, according to a new study published August 26, 2026, in Neurology(R), an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease develops before age65, while people are still working or raising families. It begins with mild cognitive impairment, thinking and memory problems that are greater than normal aging but not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia. It often progresses quickly to dementia, but the timeline varies widely from person to person.
"This is a study driven by one of the most frequent questions we get from patients in the clinic: 'When will I lose my independence?" said study author Alexandra Touroutoglou, PhD, of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. "There are limited ways to predict the transition from MCI to dementia, so we developed a brain scan biomarker called the early-onset Alzheimer's disease signature, a map that can be applied to brain scans to measure shrinkage in regions of the brain involved in thinking such as memory, language and reasoning. Our study found that brain shrinkage measured by our biomarker can act as a timer for predicting when dementia will start and how quickly someone progressed from MCI to dementia."
The early-onset Alzheimer's disease signature biomarker includes a set of brain regions that show greater atrophy in people with the disease than in people without the disease.
The study included data from 130 people who lived independently with mild cognitive impairment and 97 healthy participants. They were all between ages 40 and 64. Participants had magnetic resonance imaging brain scans at the start of the study and at least one annual follow-up visit.
Researchers applied the brain scan biomarker to each participant's brain scan to measure shrinkage in eight key brain areas involved in thinking and memory, including the medial and lateral parietal cortex as well as the posterior lateral temporal cortex.
They calculated average thickness of each brain region and then combined those measurements into an overall score for brain shrinkage.
Participants were followed for an average of two years. Approximately 65% of people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease progressed from MCI to dementia.
Researchers found that greater gray matter shrinkage on brain scans as detected by the biomarker predicted faster progression to dementia. A person's risk of progression from MCI to dementia was 1.24 times higher for every one standard deviation greater magnitude of shrinkage.
The biomarker was better at predicting progression than looking only at people's symptoms at the beginning of the study.
"Better tools are needed to predict when someone with early-onset Alzheimer's disease may lose independence and progress from MCI to dementia," said Touroutoglou. "This brain scan biomarker we developed may help predict how quickly the disease will progress in each individual, giving physicians, people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and their families better information about what to expect and allowing earlier clinical trial enrollment for treatments that may improve outcomes."
A limitation of the study was that the brain scan biomarker was developed and tested in one group, most of whom were non-Hispanic white people, so it is unclear how well it may work when applied to other populations.
The study (https://www.neurology.org/journal/wnl) was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer's Association.
Discover more about Alzheimer's disease at Brain & Life(R), from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource also offers a website, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
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Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5362
[Category: Medical]
