Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
USDA Launches Office of Seafood -- A Win for America's Fishermen
NEW PORT RICHEY, Florida, April 16 -- The Southern Shrimp Alliance issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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USDA Launches Office of Seafood -- A Win for America's Fishermen
Fishery Leaders Participate in Cabinet-Level Roundtable Ahead of Historic Announcement
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Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the launch of the USDA Office of Seafood, a priority objective that the Southern Shrimp Alliance and dozens of organizations representing U.S. fisheries have collaborated to pursue for multiple years.
The Chair of the North Carolina Fisheries Association and SSA
... Show Full Article
NEW PORT RICHEY, Florida, April 16 -- The Southern Shrimp Alliance issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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USDA Launches Office of Seafood -- A Win for America's Fishermen
Fishery Leaders Participate in Cabinet-Level Roundtable Ahead of Historic Announcement
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Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the launch of the USDA Office of Seafood, a priority objective that the Southern Shrimp Alliance and dozens of organizations representing U.S. fisheries have collaborated to pursue for multiple years.
The Chair of the North Carolina Fisheries Association and SSABoard member Brent Fulcher joined Kyle and Tricia Kimball of the Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association at a roundtable meeting this afternoon in Washington D.C. with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Representative Nick Begich (R-AK), Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL), and approximately ten fisheries leaders from across the country ahead of the announcement.
"This is a landmark day for U.S. shrimpers. Like our nation's farmers, American commercial fishermen are food producers," said Blake Price, director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. "Nevertheless, while the USDA offers loans, grants, and marketing programs to food producers, this support is generally not available to fishermen. An Office of Seafood within the USDA is an essential first step in bringing shrimpers into the fold."
Today's announcement is the culmination of years of combined fishery advocacy for dedicated USDA coordination for the seafood sector -- a position in the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture whose sole responsibility would be to integrate seafood into USDA programs and align seafood policy across agencies.
SSA thanks the Senators from our shrimping states who championed this effort: Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA).
What the USDA Office of Seafood Will Do
The new Office is responsible for providing leadership, expertise, and advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting the seafood industry. It will coordinate across USDA agencies to ensure fishermen are integrated into USDA programs, and it will work alongside the Department of Commerce and other federal partners to revitalize the American seafood industry.
It will also play a central role in implementing President Trump's Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, including the development of an American First Seafood Strategy to promote the production, marketing, sale, and export of U.S. fishery and aquaculture products and strengthen domestic processing capacity.
Concretely, this means the Office of Seafood will be working to connect fishermen to programs that were previously difficult or impossible to access, including:
* Rural Development grants and loans -- Programs like the Value Added Producer Grant and Rural Business-Cooperative Services can support infrastructure, processing upgrades, and business development in our coastal fishing communities.
* Export and marketing programs -- USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs are now open to seafood, creating new tools to promote domestic shrimp in both domestic and export markets.
* The USDA Process Verified Program -- This verification program offers fishing and seafood industry participants a powerful way to market their products to customers using clearly defined, transparent process points -- a potential tool for reliably distinguishing premium American wild-caught shrimp from foreign imports.
* Disaster assistance -- Risk management and disaster assistance programs are especially important, and SSA will work to expand crop insurance coverage to include shrimp, which is currently not among the covered species.
* USDA procurement -- The Commodity Procurement Program purchases $2-5 billion in domestic food annually for schools, food banks, and humanitarian aid. Seafood is eligible, and SSA wants more domestic shrimp on those contracts.
* School meals -- SSA has long advocated for more domestic shrimp in USDA nutrition programs, and the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program has already demonstrated that seafood can successfully be incorporated into school cafeterias. The Office of Seafood will help push that further.
* Farm Service Agency loans -- Operating loans, ownership loans, storage facility loans, and microloans are now available to domestic aquaculture operations. SSA, in collaboration with other fisheries, will be working with the Office of Seafood to advocate for expanded access for wild-capture operations as well.
What Comes Next
SSA will be working directly with the USDA Office of Seafood to help the U.S. shrimp industry access these resources and to advocate for program expansions where gaps remain. Look for more information on these individual programs and how they might apply to your operation. The Office of Seafood can be contacted directly at seafood@usda.gov.
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Original text here: https://shrimpalliance.com/usda-launches-office-of-seafood/
[Category: Food/Beverage]
SAE International Awards Recognize Excellence in Mobility Engineering and Innovation
WARRENDALE, Pennsylvania, April 16 -- SAE International issued the following news release:
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SAE International Awards Recognize Excellence in Mobility Engineering and Innovation
SAE Awards Honor Outstanding Contributions in Leadership, Innovation, SAE Service and STEM Education
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SAE International(R) announced the 2026 SAE International Award recipients at a ceremony held during SAE's WCX(TM)- World Congress Experience in Detroit, Mich. Recognizing mobility industry professionals, educators and students, SAE Awards represent mobility's highest honors. The Awards program is administered
... Show Full Article
WARRENDALE, Pennsylvania, April 16 -- SAE International issued the following news release:
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SAE International Awards Recognize Excellence in Mobility Engineering and Innovation
SAE Awards Honor Outstanding Contributions in Leadership, Innovation, SAE Service and STEM Education
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SAE International(R) announced the 2026 SAE International Award recipients at a ceremony held during SAE's WCX(TM)- World Congress Experience in Detroit, Mich. Recognizing mobility industry professionals, educators and students, SAE Awards represent mobility's highest honors. The Awards program is administeredby SAE's Board of Directors and supported by a distinguished group of volunteers.
Created in 1986, the SAE Medal of Honor annually recognizes an individual who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to SAE International's mission of advancing mobility solutions for the benefit of humanity. The 2026 SAE's Medal of Honor recipient is Dr. Jay Zhou. Jay's career with Ford Motor Company has spanned more than 30 years, recently as VP of Ford China Quality and New Model Launch for Ford China and Ford Asia Pacific. Throughout his leadership positions inside and outside of Ford, Jay has made a direct and lasting impact on SAE and the mobility industry.
As a long-standing SAE member of more than 37 years, Jay's commitment began with co-authoring an SAE technical paper in 1988 and continued throughout his membership. Elected an SAE Fellow in 2022, he has supported the organization as a mentor, university industrial lecturer, professional development instructor, section speaker, associated editor, advisory board member, conference organizer, moderator and standards committee contributor. Jay's unwavering dedication, exemplary service, and significant contributions to his field sets him apart from his peers and makes him an outstanding candidate for this year's Medal of Honor. His commitment to excellence, integrity, and leadership consistently inspires those around him and reflects the highest standards of achievement and character.
Additional honors given that evening include:
* SAE International Award for Technical and Leadership Excellence honoring Rodica Baranescu - Mandi Damman, Executive Chief Engineer, General Motors
* SAE International Award for Emerging Leadership in Mobility - Jacqueline Zimny, System Owner, Hybrid Engine Stop Start, General Motors
* SAE International Award for Influential Executive in Automotive honoring Henry Ford - Jim Campbell, VP, Performance & Motorsports Commercial Operations, General Motors
* SAE International Award for Outstanding Student Leadership in STEM honoring Max Rumbaugh - Bridget O'Connell, President, ERAU Women's Baja SAE, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
* SAE International Award for Safety in Transportation honoring Arnold W. Siegel - Elham Sahraei, Associate Professor, Temple University
* SAE International Humanitarian Award honoring Arnold W. Siegel - Jennifer Goforth, I-CAR Board of Directors / SAE Foundation Trustee / I-CAR / SAE Foundation
* SAE International Award for Excellence in Innovation - Kumar Vijay Mishra, Senior Fellow, CISD, US DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
* SAE International Award for Outstanding Research in Mobility Fuels and Lubricants - Yuanjiang Pei (Team Lead), Aramco Americas; Abdullah S. AlRamadan, Aramco Americas; Anqi Zhang, Aramco Americas; Ji-Woong Park, Aramco Americas; Balaji Mohan, Saudi Aramco
* SAE John Johnson Award for Outstanding Research in Diesel Engines (Medal) - Paul Miles, Research Manager, Sandia National Laboratories (Retired)
* SAE John Johnson Award for Outstanding Research in Diesel Engines (Paper) - Harsimran Singh (Lead), University of Illinois-Chicago; Pinaki Pal, Argonne National Laboratory; Almoutazbellah Kutkut, West Virgina University; Hailin Li, West Virgina University; Suresh Kumar Aggarwal, University of Illinois-Chicago
* SAE International John Melvin Motorsport Safety Award - Thomas Gideon, Engineer, Motorsports Safety Consulting, LLC
* SAE International Award for Outstanding Student Paper honoring Phil Myers - David Fernandes (Team Lead), Clemson University; Pedram MohajerAnsari, Clemson University; Amir Salarpour, Clemson University; Mert Pese', Clemson University
* SAE International Award for Quality Leadership honoring Subir Chowdhury - Meg Richards, Director, Service Diagnostics and Programming, General Motors
Cooperative Engineering Medal Honoring Arch T. Colwell and the ESC Outstanding Achievement Award Honoring James M. Crawford - Francesca Favaro, Head of Safety Management and Best Practices, Waymo LLC
* SAE International Award for Outstanding AWIM Volunteers honoring Bill Agnew - Rian Johnson, Senior System Integration Engineer, Daimler Truck North America
* SAE International Educational Award honoring Ralph R. Teetor - Albert Patterson, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University; Zhenghui Sha, Associate Professor, The University of Texas at Austin
* SAE appreciates award support from Dr. Rodica Baranescu, Subir and Malini Chowdhury, Ford Motor Company, Dr. John H. Johnson, Phil and Jean Myers, NASCAR, Max E. Rumbaugh, Jr., Arnold and Stephanie Siegel, and Ralph R. Teetor.
Call for Spring Awards Nominations are currently open through May 31, 2026. Nominate a deserving colleague or yourself for one or more SAE Awards spanning four categories: Leadership, Innovation, SAE Service and STEM.
For additional details on SAE awards, visit: http://www.sae.org/awards.
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About SAE International(R)
SAE International is a global organization committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion(R) and the Collegiate Design Series(TM). More at http://www.sae.org.
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Original text here: https://www.sae.org/articles/press-releases/2026/04/sae-2026-awards
[Category: Engineering]
NWTF West Virginia and Partners Implement Nearly $500,000 in Conservation Delivery This Year
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, April 16 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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NWTF West Virginia and Partners Implement Nearly $500,000 in Conservation Delivery This Year
The West Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources are collaborating on a variety of conservation projects across the Mountain State in 2026. The West Virginia NWTF State Board budgeted $132,035 for conservation efforts, which will be matched with $357,000 in partner and grant funds for the approved projects, representing
... Show Full Article
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, April 16 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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NWTF West Virginia and Partners Implement Nearly $500,000 in Conservation Delivery This Year
The West Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources are collaborating on a variety of conservation projects across the Mountain State in 2026. The West Virginia NWTF State Board budgeted $132,035 for conservation efforts, which will be matched with $357,000 in partner and grant funds for the approved projects, representinga 3-to-1 match rate for NWTF project funding in West Virginia.
"The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources doesn't receive general revenue funding, and its operating budget is dependent almost entirely on license sales," said Cully McCurdy, NWTF district biologist. "Funds provided by the more than 4,500 adult volunteers and members in West Virginia fill a much-needed funding gap for equipment and add significantly to the management work of the wildlife specialists and resource protection for the law enforcement section. We are thankful as an organization to be able to fill this niche for the agency and expand its wildlife management and resource protection efforts."
For 2026, the following equipment and contributions will support hunter access and habitat improvement projects. Funding includes:
* $50,000 first-year match to a multiyear agreement with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for the NWTF to administer habitat work and hunter access projects on state-owned wildlife management areas and national forests.
* $41,814 for the law enforcement section to purchase six additional drones to expand their program.
* $19,567 to purchase a harrow disk for District II wildlife specialists to manage and refurbish wildlife openings.
* $20,654 to purchase two Firminator seed drills for use by wildlife specialists in District VI to complete planting projects on the WMAs within the district.
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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 deliver 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 continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.
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Original text here: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/nwtf-west-virginia-and-partners-implement-nearly-500000-in-conservation-delivery-this-year
[Category: Animals]
Louisiana Senate Bill 490 Could Hurt Customers and Raise Bills
HOUSTON, Texas, April 16 (TNSrep) -- The Consumer Energy Alliance issued the following news release:
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Louisiana Senate Bill 490 Could Hurt Customers and Raise Bills
* An analysis of data found that SB 490 could cause average residential customer rates to increase more than $16 per month.
* The legislation, while well-intentioned, could cause a cost-shift from large customers to residential customers.
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BATON ROUGE, La. - Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, conducted an analysis of the potential impact of SB 490
... Show Full Article
HOUSTON, Texas, April 16 (TNSrep) -- The Consumer Energy Alliance issued the following news release:
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Louisiana Senate Bill 490 Could Hurt Customers and Raise Bills
* An analysis of data found that SB 490 could cause average residential customer rates to increase more than $16 per month.
* The legislation, while well-intentioned, could cause a cost-shift from large customers to residential customers.
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BATON ROUGE, La. - Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, conducted an analysis of the potential impact of SB 490on residential customer rates. That analysis, which was performed using the state's largest utility's rates, concluded that the legislation could increase the average residential customer's electricity rates by more than $16 per month (approximately $200 per year).
Enactment of SB 490 as currently drafted could lead to large industrial customers in certain rate classes to build private grids and leave the system, while still having the option to retain the benefits of being connected to the electric grid for emergencies. This could lead to residential customers picking up additional costs to maintain and run the grid.
"While well-intentioned, this bill is a solution in search of a problem," said Marc Brown, CEA Executive Vice President of Public Policy and State Affairs." The data shows this bill could have a negative impact on residential customers. At a time when families are focused on affordability, our analysis shows this proposal could increase rates for the average residential customer by more than $16 per month, an increase of more than 9%. Not only is this bill bad for consumers, but Louisiana has some of the lowest residential and industrial electricity rates in the country according to the latest national data. American industrial power customers are not fleeing from Louisiana, but are flocking to the state."
SB 490 would establish a framework for "private use electrical networks," allowing certain entities to generate and distribute their own power across "contiguous, adjacent, or commonly controlled" properties that are not regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. This could create a patch-work of disconnected power that would add layers of complexity without offering price savings for consumers.
"Encouragingly, legislators are exploring ways to meet growing energy demand, but it's critical that those solutions don't unintentionally shift costs onto everyday consumers," Brown continued. "CEA looks forward to continuing to work together with policymakers on solutions that lower costs, strengthen reliability, and ensure fairness for all Louisiana customers while also fostering economic development and growth."
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Please click here (https://consumerenergyalliance.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CEA-LA-SB490-One-Pager.pdf) for a CEA Fact Sheet on SB 490.
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the trusted voice advocating for affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy solutions that benefit all Americans. Representing families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers, CEA champions sensible, balanced policies that support economic growth and environmental resiliency; and ensures families and businesses are a vocal part of the nation's energy dialogue. Every day, we work to inspire practical, responsible solutions that meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment for generations to come.
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Original text: https://consumerenergyalliance.org/2026/04/louisiana-senate-bill-490-could-hurt-customers-and-raise-bills/
[Category: Energy]
ERIC Responds to Compensation Disclosure Rulemaking, Calls on Administration to Go Further in Strengthening Requirements
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The ERISA Industry Committee issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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ERIC Responds to Compensation Disclosure Rulemaking, Calls on Administration to Go Further in Strengthening Requirements
The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) today submitted recommendations in response to the Department of Labor's (Department) proposed rulemaking for providers of "pharmacy benefit management services." In its comment letter, ERIC praised the administration's efforts to require these vendors and service providers to disclose information about their compensation to fiduciaries
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The ERISA Industry Committee issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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ERIC Responds to Compensation Disclosure Rulemaking, Calls on Administration to Go Further in Strengthening Requirements
The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) today submitted recommendations in response to the Department of Labor's (Department) proposed rulemaking for providers of "pharmacy benefit management services." In its comment letter, ERIC praised the administration's efforts to require these vendors and service providers to disclose information about their compensation to fiduciariesof self-insured, employer-sponsored health plans.
The proposed rules were issued pursuant to an Executive Order directing the Department to issue this rule to comply with a legal requirement passed into law in 2021, and to align with the administration's ongoing support for health care transparency. Congress then confirmed its commitment to reforming the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by enacting transparency and accountability requirements in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (CAA26), which included language supporting this rule.
"The enactment of the CAA made many ERIC-led reforms to the PBM industry a reality - reforms that are critical to lowering drug costs for employers and patients," said ERIC President and CEO James Gelfand. "The proposed regulations are strong, align with the CAA reforms, and fill in gaps left by the legislation, such as addressing spread pricing."
As fiduciaries, self-insured plan sponsors need access to detailed information to assess whether fees being charged to the plan are fair and justified. In its comments, ERIC offered a series of recommendations designed to ensure that the rule fully reflects the spirit of the law, including:
* Clarifying that all affiliated entities, such as Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), and other service providers to group health plans, must disclose the compensation they receive.
* Listing specific examples of the types of compensation streams that must be reported, including payments flowing through vertically integrated arrangements, and "spread pricing" arrangements that flow through PBM-owned specialty pharmacies and PBM-owned "drug branding entities."
* Confirming that the prohibition on "gag clauses" that deny plan sponsors access to their own plan cannot be undermined by Third-Party Administrators or provider networks.
* Ensuring that a plan sponsor's audit rights apply to all functions the sponsor engages in to meet its fiduciary obligations.
* Recognizing that health claims data in a self-insured plan creates economic value for a service provider, and requiring the service provider to disclose that data to the plan fiduciary.
* Urging the Department to finalize the proposed requirements as soon as possible, while setting a January 1, 2027, effective date for the regulations, six months later than originally proposed.
ERIC is a national advocacy organization exclusively representing the largest employers in the United States in their capacity as sponsors of employee benefit plans for their nationwide workforces. With member companies that are leaders in every economic sector, ERIC is the voice of large employer plan sponsors on federal, state, and local public policies impacting their ability to sponsor benefit plans. ERIC member companies offer benefits to tens of millions of employees and their families, located in every state and city across the country.
Read the full comments here (https://eric.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3fd7ffe23e2ee60817b3ee175&id=3e16b79c6d&e=4b9822ddff).
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About The ERISA Industry Committee
ERIC is a national advocacy organization that exclusively represents large employers that provide health, retirement, paid leave, and other benefits to their nationwide workforces. With member companies that are leaders in every sector of the economy, ERIC advocates on the federal, state, and local levels for policies that promote flexibility and uniformity in the administration of their employee benefit plans.
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Original text here: https://www.eric.org/press_release/eric-responds-to-compensation-disclosure-rulemaking-calls-on-administration-to-go-further-in-strengthening-requirements/
[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]
ALPA Commends Senate Commerce Committee for Advancing Key Mental Health Legislation
MCLEAN, Virginia, April 16 -- The Air Line Pilots Association International issued the following statement on April 15, 2026:
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ALPA Commends Senate Commerce Committee for Advancing Key Mental Health Legislation
The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) today commended the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for advancing the Mental Health in Aviation Act. Introduced by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), this bipartisan legislation supports aviation safety and increases access to mental health resources for aviation professionals.
"The Mental
... Show Full Article
MCLEAN, Virginia, April 16 -- The Air Line Pilots Association International issued the following statement on April 15, 2026:
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ALPA Commends Senate Commerce Committee for Advancing Key Mental Health Legislation
The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) today commended the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for advancing the Mental Health in Aviation Act. Introduced by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), this bipartisan legislation supports aviation safety and increases access to mental health resources for aviation professionals.
"The MentalHealth in Aviation Act represents a crucial step forward to improving aviation safety and maintaining a healthy work environment for pilots, and we greatly appreciate Senators Hoeven and Duckworth for their bipartisan leadership on this important issue," said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. "By implementing the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee's recommendations, improving the medical certification process, and providing resources for additional aviation medical examiners, this bill acknowledges that a pilot's psychological wellbeing is just as important as their physical health."
For far too long, aviation professionals have faced a difficult choice between seeking necessary mental health care and maintaining their careers. The current regulatory framework creates a punitive culture that forces pilots and air traffic controllers to risk their livelihoods by seeking professional help. This outdated approach not only harms individual aviators but also undermines the very safety standards on which U.S. aviation is built. The Mental Health in Aviation Act will help break down barriers in dealing with mental health issues in aviation and advance aviation safety by improving the FAA's medical review system and encouraging more pilots and controllers to seek care if needed.
"Together, we can build a better aviation system where seeking mental health care is viewed not as a career risk, but as a professional responsibility and a cornerstone of safe operations. ALPA strongly supports this legislation that will help remove the barriers surrounding mental health treatment while ensuring that aviation safety remains paramount," added Ambrosi.
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Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.
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Original text here: https://www.alpa.org/press-room/2026/04/alpa-commends-senate-commerce-committee-for-advancing-key-mental-health-legislation
[Category: Transportation]
AAHOA's 2026 Convention & Trade Show Showcases "Liberty, Legacy, Leadership" in Philadelphia
ATLANTA, Georgia, April 16 -- The Asian American Hotel Owners Association issued the following news release:
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AAHOA's 2026 Convention & Trade Show Showcases "Liberty, Legacy, Leadership" in Philadelphia
The 2026 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show brought hotel owners and industry leaders to Philadelphia for a focused and forward-looking program centered on this year's theme: "Liberty, Legacy, Leadership."
Held in a city synonymous with the nation's founding, AAHOACON26 emphasized the importance of strong leadership, building on the industry's legacy, and delivering practical strategies to help
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, April 16 -- The Asian American Hotel Owners Association issued the following news release:
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AAHOA's 2026 Convention & Trade Show Showcases "Liberty, Legacy, Leadership" in Philadelphia
The 2026 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show brought hotel owners and industry leaders to Philadelphia for a focused and forward-looking program centered on this year's theme: "Liberty, Legacy, Leadership."
Held in a city synonymous with the nation's founding, AAHOACON26 emphasized the importance of strong leadership, building on the industry's legacy, and delivering practical strategies to helphotel owners strengthen performance and profitability in a changing environment. At the Pennsylvania Convention Center, AAHOACON26 had some 5,300 attendees and nearly 500 exhibitors. The event featured 10 education sessions, offered for the first time this year at the Trade Show, top-level keynote speakers, and networking events.
"As we celebrate 250 years of America, this convention highlighted how hoteliers are continuing the legacy of entrepreneurship and resilience that built this country,"
AAHOACON26 Convention Chairman Rahul Patel said. "From innovative programs to actionable strategies for profitability, our members are shaping the future of hospitality while honoring the spirit of liberty and leadership that started it all."
Announcements at the 2026 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show included:
* new partnership with Folio as the technology partner for AAHOA Marketplace, giving members the ability to search and buy across suppliers, shop from their phones, and restock with just a few clicks.
* An update on partnership with Mews as AAHOA's official property management system, giving members access to dedicated pricing, fast onboarding, and tools to optimize operations, revenue, and profitability in a challenging market.
* An update on the AAHOA partnership with Avendra International, known as AAHOA Marketplace, which gives AAHOA Members access to an expanded range of industry-leading products and services at a 10 to 15 percent discount from more than 2,500 vendors, to improve their bottom line.
* An update on AAHOALending.com, in partnership with Bridge, which provides members with faster, more flexible financing options. In its first year, more than $500 million in deals have already been reviewed.
* Launch of the Certified Hotel Profit Analyst (CHPA), a new program with Kalibri, which equips hotel owners with practical tools and best practices to strengthen profitability, optimize operations, and increase long-term asset value. Last year, AAHOA and Kalibri announced a new partnership, which included the Certified Hotel Profit Strategist (CHPS) program.
"AHOACON26 was a reminder that the same determination and vision that founded this nation are alive in today's hotel owners," AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said. "By equipping members with practical tools, technology, and insights, we're helping them build businesses that will lead the industry for decades to come."
This year's General Session keynote speakers included:
* Rahul Kapoor, recognized as Motivational Speaker of the Year 2025 by The Times Group. Kapoor served as a Keynote Speaker at AAHOACON24 in Orlando, FL.
* Paul Brown, CEO of Inspire Brands, an AAHOA Club Blue partner, oversees a global portfolio of more than 33,000 Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC restaurants.
* Rajiv Satyal, comedian and creator of the viral "I AM INDIAN" video (viewed over 100 million times worldwide).
The General Session also included updates on AAHOA and industry happenings:
* A panel, "Loan Rangers: Navigating Today's Lending Landscape," explored evolving hotel lending trends, walked through real deals on AAHOA Lending powered by Bridge, and provided attendees with practical strategies to secure financing more effectively. Speakers included moderator Rohit Mathur, Co-Founder & CEO, Bridge + AAHOA Lending; Adeel Amin, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, Hunter Advisors; Aaron Hodgkins, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lender, United Midwest Savings Bank; and Billy Gilchrist, Senior Vice President, Originations, Peachtree Group.
* A tribute to America's military in observance of the country's 250th birthday by Larry Cuculic, President and CEO of BWH Hotels.
* An update on the work of the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, launched in 2023, by ACF Board Members, including Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel.
AAHOACON26 also offered a HerOwnership-driven session featuring keynote speaker, author, two-time TEDx speaker, and C-suite executive, Shira Miller, who currently serves as Chief Communications Officer of National DCP.
In addition, AAHOA's HYPE Initiative (Helping Young Professionals Evolve) hosted a session, "Where the Capital Is: Inside the Minds of Hotel Investors," in which speakers from development, private equity, asset management, and venture capital discussed what's driving hotel investment decisions.
AAHOA also held its Independent Hotelier Summit, which provided sessions on how AI can streamline operations, how modern PMS platforms can reduce costs and improve efficiency, and how new revenue strategies can help hotel owners increase profitability.
In other education, James Ferguson, author of Confetti Culture, discussed practical culture-building, team engagement, and leadership activations, while Dr. Sudhir Mehta, author of Building Teams That Actually Work, focused on transitioning family businesses into sustainable enterprises through effective governance, systems, and long-term performance strategies. Additional sessions covered profitability, AI tools, alternative asset diversification, franchise legal considerations, and strategic planning for the future of AAHOA.
Florida hotelier Rahul Patel became the new Chairman of AAHOA's Board of Directors, and Dhiren Masters became the new AAHOA Secretary.
AAHOA Members also elected 11 new members to the Board of Directors, recognized the achievement and excellence of the AAHOA Award recipients, and hosted its Collegiate Championship: Hotel Turnaround Competition, powered by Russell Partnership Technology, where the University of South Carolina took home the People's Choice Award and Grand Valley State University received the Judges' Championship Trophy. Additionally, AAHOA hosted its 2026 Tech Pitch Competition, co-powered by HFTP. The winning company was Sadie AI.
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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.
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Original text here: https://www.aahoa.com/public/storage/2026/04/15/news_files/file_177628248569dfeb75a8d8b.pdf
[Category: Travel]
