Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
Timeshare Owners Outpace Average U.S. Leisure Travelers in Fall Travel Bookings
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The American Resort Development Association issued the following news on Sept. 16, 2025:
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Timeshare Owners Outpace Average U.S. Leisure Travelers in Fall Travel Bookings
Nearly one-third of U.S. timeshare owners will use their timeshare property this fall
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A recent Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index from ARDA, the trade association for the vacation ownership and timeshare industries, shows that timeshare owners are keeping America's vacation spirit alive beyond the busy summer travel season.
While 70% of U.S. travelers plan to take a trip this fall, 86% of
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The American Resort Development Association issued the following news on Sept. 16, 2025:
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Timeshare Owners Outpace Average U.S. Leisure Travelers in Fall Travel Bookings
Nearly one-third of U.S. timeshare owners will use their timeshare property this fall
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A recent Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index from ARDA, the trade association for the vacation ownership and timeshare industries, shows that timeshare owners are keeping America's vacation spirit alive beyond the busy summer travel season.
While 70% of U.S. travelers plan to take a trip this fall, 86% oftimeshare owners have travel on the books -- and nearly one-third will use their timeshare property during that time.
Timeshare owners are also traveling smarter. Over a third (35%) say fall trips provide greater value by maximizing the use of their points, demonstrating the flexible nature of timeshare today.
"Our data shows that timeshare owners not only find value in traveling at popular times like summer or the holidays, but at any time of year," said ARDA President & CEO Jason Gamel. "As summer comes to an end, we're seeing the flexibility that timeshare ownership provides lead to consistent bookings from owners well past peak travel months."
Looking ahead, this momentum is predicted to continue through the end of the year. According to the Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index, timeshare owners are 50% more likely than other leisure travelers to have already booked their next trip, and 55% more likely to spend significantly more time on vacation over the next six months.
To download the latest Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index, or to download other research provided by ARDA, visit ARDA Research & Insights.
About ARDA
ARDA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, Washington, D.C.-based trade association for the timeshare industry, representing more than 300 privately held and publicly traded companies. ARDA's work -- including proactive advocacy -- touches every role within the timeshare industry. Developers, exchange companies, vacation clubs, timeshare resellers, timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, consultants, and legal and regulatory experts are all part of the ARDA network, including popular companies such as Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Westgate, and Wyndham Destinations.
As the U.S. is the global headquarters for the timeshare and shared ownership industries, ARDA is seen as a leader amongst its peers worldwide and regularly works with established and emerging associations and markets across the globe to help advocate for the interests of ARDA members and beyond.
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Original text here: https://www.arda.org/news/timeshare-owners-outpace-average-u-s-leisure-travelers-in-fall-travel-bookings/
[Category: Travel]
Soccer Headers and Brain Health: Study Finds Changes Within Folds Of The Brain
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Sept. 18 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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Soccer headers and brain health: Study finds changes within folds of the brain
In amateur soccer players, more frequent heading, or using the head to control or pass the ball, is linked to alterations within the folds of the brain, according to a study published on September 17, 2025, in Neurology(R), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study does not prove that soccer heading causes brain changes, it only shows an association.
"While taking part in sports
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Sept. 18 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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Soccer headers and brain health: Study finds changes within folds of the brain
In amateur soccer players, more frequent heading, or using the head to control or pass the ball, is linked to alterations within the folds of the brain, according to a study published on September 17, 2025, in Neurology(R), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study does not prove that soccer heading causes brain changes, it only shows an association.
"While taking part in sportshas many benefits, including possibly reducing the risk of cognitive decline, repetitive head impacts from contact sports like soccer may offset those potential benefits," said study author Michael L. Lipton, MD, PhD, of Columbia University in New York City. "Our study found that people who experienced more impacts from headers had more disruptions within a specific layer in the folds of the brain, and that these disruptions were also linked to poorer performance on thinking and memory tests."
The study included 352 amateur soccer players with an average age of 26 and 77 athletes in non-collision sports with an average age of 23.
Athletes' soccer activity was surveyed to estimate the number of head impacts over one year. Soccer players were divided into four groups with the highest group having an average of 3,152 headers per year compared to 105 headers in the lowest group.
Athletes had brain scans. Researchers used the scans to examine the microstructure of the juxtacortical white matter within the folds of the brain. This layer of white matter lays alongside the gray matter of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain.
When analyzing scans, researchers looked at how water molecules moved in the folds of this brain layer.
They found that soccer players in the highest group had much greater disruption in the microstructure of this area of the brain compared to soccer players in the lowest group and non-collision sport athletes. As the number of headers increased, the organization of water molecule movement deteriorated, indicating more disruptions and suggesting worsening of the brain's microstructure.
Athletes took tests to examine thinking and memory skills. Researchers found that players with worse performance on tests had more disorganized movement of water molecules in this area of the brain.
Researchers found that disruptions in the folds of the orbitofrontal brain region, just above the eye sockets, partially affected the relationship between repeated head impacts and thinking and memory performance.
"Our findings suggest that this layer of white matter in the folds of the brain is vulnerable to repeated trauma from heading and may be an important place to detect brain injury," said Lipton. "More research is needed to further explore this relationship and develop approaches that could lead to early detection of sports-related head trauma."
A limitation of the study was that the number of headers over the previous year was estimated based on athlete responses and may be influenced by their ability to remember this information accurately.
The study was supported by the Dana Foundation David Mahoney Neuroimaging Program and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Discover more about brain health at BrainandLife.org, from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource also offers a magazine, 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(R) 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 40,000 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.
Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at AAN.com or find us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5283
[Category: Medical]
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Leads the Way in Making It Easier to Diagnose MS
NEW YORK, Sept. 18 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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National Multiple Sclerosis Society Leads the Way in Making it Easier to Diagnose MS
Updates to McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS Published
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The McDonald Diagnostic Criteria -- a set of guidelines to help healthcare professionals provide accurate, timely multiple sclerosis diagnosis -- were recently updated and published in the Lancet Neurology.
Some people with MS symptoms experience years of testing, frustration and confusion before receiving a diagnosis. These enhancements equip healthcare
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Sept. 18 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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National Multiple Sclerosis Society Leads the Way in Making it Easier to Diagnose MS
Updates to McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS Published
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The McDonald Diagnostic Criteria -- a set of guidelines to help healthcare professionals provide accurate, timely multiple sclerosis diagnosis -- were recently updated and published in the Lancet Neurology.
Some people with MS symptoms experience years of testing, frustration and confusion before receiving a diagnosis. These enhancements equip healthcareprofessionals with additional ways to diagnose MS more quickly and accurately. An earlier diagnosis allows people to begin treatment sooner, significantly improving their health outcomes.
"Decades ago, it could take years to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Today it's down to months. And soon, we expect it to get even easier and faster. And that's something we're extremely proud of," said Dr. Timothy Coetzee, President and CEO of the National MS Society.
Key updates to the criteria include:
* Changes to where and how we look for evidence of MS, including new tests for diagnosis.
* Specialized criteria for diagnosing children and people over 50 years old.
* Some of the newer testing methods in the enhanced criteria are more accessible, affordable, and less invasive, with a goal of helping more people access testing needed to get a clear MS diagnosis, regardless of where they live.
"Through global collaboration with our partners at ECTRIMS and the engagement of leaders from around the world, we have updated the diagnostic criteria with everything we've learned since 2017. We look forward to ushering in an exciting new chapter in the diagnosis and treatment of MS," commented Coetzee
This initiative is being led by the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in Multiple Sclerosis, a global body sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and ECTRIMS. By providing funding, thought leadership and expert guidance, the Society is committed to ensuring healthcare professionals have the tools and knowledge needed to quickly and accurately diagnose MS.
The process to diagnose MS continues to be revisited and enhanced to keep pace with advancing research and technology. In 2001, when MS diagnostic criteria were first introduced, the average time to receive an MS diagnosis was four years. Over time, and with updates to the criteria in 2017, the average time to diagnosis has been reduced by 75% to an average of one year.
For people with MS, the new criteria will not affect an existing MS diagnosis. However, for those who are concerned their loved ones might have MS in the future, the continued improvement of diagnostic criteria means they will have an easier path to diagnosis.
References:
The peer-reviewed paper that designates the updated criteria, titled "Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: 2024 revisions of the McDonald criteria" was published in the online version of Lancet Neurology on September 17. It will appear in the printed publication in October.
Supporting papers include:
* Imaging Guidelines: "2024 MAGNIMS-CMSC-NAIMS consensus recommendations on the use of MRI for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis"
* Visual System: "Recommendations on the use of optical coherence tomography and visual evoked potentials for fulfilling dissemination in space as part of the 2024 Revised McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for multiple sclerosis"
* Cerebrospinal Fluid-based Diagnosis: "Positive cerebrospinal fluid in the 2024 McDonald criteria for Multiple Sclerosis" (published in eBioMedicine)
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About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalmssociety.org, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/updates-to-mcdonald-diagnostic-criteria
[Category: Health Care]
Housing Starts Remain Soft Ahead of Fed Meeting
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 [Category: Real Estate] -- The National Association of Home Builders posted the following news release on Sept. 17, 2025:
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Housing Starts Remain Soft Ahead of Fed Meeting
Challenging affordability conditions continue to act as headwinds for the housing sector, but the industry could see lower interest rates in the near future with the Federal Reserve expected to cut short-term interest rates this afternoon.
Overall housing starts decreased 8.5% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.31 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 [Category: Real Estate] -- The National Association of Home Builders posted the following news release on Sept. 17, 2025:
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Housing Starts Remain Soft Ahead of Fed Meeting
Challenging affordability conditions continue to act as headwinds for the housing sector, but the industry could see lower interest rates in the near future with the Federal Reserve expected to cut short-term interest rates this afternoon.
Overall housing starts decreased 8.5% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.31 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housingand Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
The August reading of 1.31 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. Within this overall number, single-family starts decreased 7% to an 890,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate and are down 4.9% on a year-to-date basis. This was the lowest reading since July of 2024 for single-family home building. The multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, decreased 11.7% to an annualized 417,000 pace.
"Housing affordability is hurting buyer traffic for builders, and as a result builders have slowed single-family home construction," said Buddy Hughes, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. "Nonetheless, our latest survey shows builders reported an increase for future market expectations as mortgage rates have posted a modest decline in recent weeks."
"With the Fed expected to reduce the federal funds rate later today, this return to monetary policy easing will help the mortgage market indirectly and lead to lower interest rates for building and land development loans, which will help builders to boost housing production," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.
On a regional and year-to-date basis, combined single-family and multifamily starts were 8.3% higher in the Northeast, 15% higher in the Midwest, 3.5% lower in the South and 0.1% higher in the West.
Overall permits decreased 3.7% to a 1.31-million-unit annualized rate in August. Single-family permits decreased 2.2% to an 856,000-unit rate and are down 7% on a year-to-date basis. Multifamily permits decreased 6.4% to a 456,000 pace.
Looking at regional permit data on a year-to-date basis, permits were 16.3% lower in the Northeast, 6.2% higher in the Midwest, 5.6% lower in the South and 5.2% lower in the West.
The slowing of single-family housing starts during 2025 has had a measurable impact on the number of single-family homes under construction. As of August, there were 611,000 single-family homes under construction, down 4.8% from a year ago.
Due to declines for multifamily construction starts in 2024, the number of apartments under construction has fallen 20% to 706,000 units in August.
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Original text here: https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2025/09/housing-starts-remain-soft-ahead-of-fed-meeting
ASA Responds to Trump Administration Request Highlighting Harmful State Laws, ESG
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The American Securities Association issued the following news on Sept. 17, 2025:
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ASA Responds to Trump Administration Request Highlighting Harmful State Laws, ESG
The American Securities Association (ASA) today sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) following a request for information from the Trump administration regarding state laws that may negatively affect the national economy or have adverse impacts on interstate commerce. In its letter, ASA highlighted concerning and potentially illegal uses of ESG metrics in the municipal finance market and public
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The American Securities Association issued the following news on Sept. 17, 2025:
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ASA Responds to Trump Administration Request Highlighting Harmful State Laws, ESG
The American Securities Association (ASA) today sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) following a request for information from the Trump administration regarding state laws that may negatively affect the national economy or have adverse impacts on interstate commerce. In its letter, ASA highlighted concerning and potentially illegal uses of ESG metrics in the municipal finance market and publiccompany disclosures, as well as state worker classification laws.
"ASA applauds Attorney General Bondi and the Trump administration for kick-starting a comprehensive review of state laws that are negatively affecting working families across this country," said ASA President and CEO Chris Iacovella. "The most egregious and potentially illegal examples are occurring in the municipal finance market where some state and local governments are disqualifying financial institutions from participating in public transactions because of black-box ESG scores issued by politically conflicted rating agencies."
"We implore the Department to look into the legality of this practice and the risks that the continued use of ESG scores in the U.S. financial system poses to investors, taxpayers, and American society," Iacovella wrote in the letter.
To read ASA's full letter to the DOJ, click here (https://15c72067-2929-4106-8883-14b2d4025a5b.usrfiles.com/ugd/15c720_164fb80b98f7475f871b8251e481686d.pdf).
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The American Securities Association (ASA) represents the retail and institutional capital markets interests of regional financial services firms who provide Main Street businesses with access to capital and advise hardworking Americans how to create and preserve wealth. ASA's mission is to promote trust and confidence among investors, facilitate capital formation, and support efficient and competitively balanced capital markets. This mission advances financial independence, stimulates job creation, and increases prosperity. The ASA has a geographically diverse membership of almost one hundred members that spans the Heartland, Southwest, Southeast, Atlantic, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States.
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Original text here: https://www.americansecurities.org/post/asa-responds-to-trump-administration-request-highlighting-harmful-state-laws-esg
[Category: Financial Services]
ACA Connects Submits Comments to Congressional Working Group on the Future of USF
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Sept. 18 -- ACA Connects (America's Communications Association) issued the following news release on Sept. 17, 2025:
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ACA Connects Submits Comments to Congressional Working Group on the Future of USF
America's Communications Association (ACA Connects) submitted comments and proposals to the Bipartisan, Bicameral Universal Service Fund Working Group a regarding the future of USF.
"The USF program plays a vital role in providing connectivity in rural and remote areas and ensuring low-income consumers can afford service," said Grant Spellmeyer, President and CEO
... Show Full Article
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Sept. 18 -- ACA Connects (America's Communications Association) issued the following news release on Sept. 17, 2025:
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ACA Connects Submits Comments to Congressional Working Group on the Future of USF
America's Communications Association (ACA Connects) submitted comments and proposals to the Bipartisan, Bicameral Universal Service Fund Working Group a regarding the future of USF.
"The USF program plays a vital role in providing connectivity in rural and remote areas and ensuring low-income consumers can afford service," said Grant Spellmeyer, President and CEOof America's Communications Association. "We appreciate that the USF Working Group is taking a comprehensive look at the program to ensure it achieves these objectives most effectively over the long-term."
ACA Connects underscored that, as part of this review, the Working Group should continue to improve broadband mapping, prevent government-supported overbuilding, and foster better coordination among USF programs and across all Federal, state, and local broadband connectivity programs. In addition, ACA Connects urged the working group to comprehensively reassess the role of USF in promoting broadband affordability for low-income households.
Key excerpt:
"As it performs this review, Congress should not lose sight of the fact that broadband in America is a tremendous success story. The vast majority of households, businesses, and institutions have access to multiple providers offering service at competitive rates, and the intensity of competition is bound to increase, further benefiting consumers. Congress and Federal regulators have played an instrumental role in this success by promoting a balanced regulatory environment that has fueled trillions of dollars of private investment. The lesson is clear: The best way to promote connectivity and affordability for all Americans is first and foremost by facilitating entry and competition. The role for USF should be to address those limited situations where unique challenges (e.g., high-costs to serve, income limitations) prevent competition from ensuring universal access and connectivity."
USF Working Group Comments re the Future of the Universal Service Fund
September 15, 2025
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America's Communications Association (ACA Connects) is a trade organization representing about 500 small and medium-sized, independent companies that provide high-speed internet, video, phone, and mobile services covering 29.5 million households. ACA Connects Members operate in every state, providing advanced communications to connect homes, companies, main street, schools, hospitals and more. America's economic prosperity in smaller communities and rural areas depends on the growth and success of independent operators, who believe a connected nation is a prosperous nation. For more information, visit www.acaconnects.org.
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Original text here: https://acaconnects.org/press-releases/aca-connects-submits-comments-to-congressional-working-group-on-the-future-of-usf/
[Category: Telecommunications]
2025 Size and Impact Report: U.S. Plastics Industry Remains Robust, Impactful, and Vital
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (TNSrep) -- The Plastics Industry Association issued the following news release on Sept. 17, 2025:
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2025 Size and Impact Report: U.S. Plastics Industry Remains Robust, Impactful, and Vital
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released its 2025 Size and Impact Report, the association's flagship annual analysis, which underscores the industry's continued positive contributions to the U.S. economy despite ongoing headwinds and uncertainties. Using comprehensive economic data, the report highlights key manufacturing indicators -- including equipment investment,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (TNSrep) -- The Plastics Industry Association issued the following news release on Sept. 17, 2025:
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2025 Size and Impact Report: U.S. Plastics Industry Remains Robust, Impactful, and Vital
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released its 2025 Size and Impact Report, the association's flagship annual analysis, which underscores the industry's continued positive contributions to the U.S. economy despite ongoing headwinds and uncertainties. Using comprehensive economic data, the report highlights key manufacturing indicators -- including equipment investment,employment, shipments, and overall production capacity -- providing a clear picture of the plastics industry's strength and resilience.
Dr. Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at PLASTICS, presented an overview of the report's findings during an online Economic Executive Briefing provided to PLASTICS members, members of the press, and interested parties.
Highlights shared during today's briefing included:
* The U.S. plastics industry is large, accounting for over a million jobs (1,066,500) and $550.7 billion in shipments in 2024.
* When suppliers to the plastics industry are considered, plastics-related U.S. jobs grow to 1.71 million, and total shipment grow to $754.5 billion.
* A success story for the U.S. economy, plastics manufacturing employment grew 1.3% per year from 2014 to 2024, outpacing total manufacturing, which saw employment grow only 0.5% per year during the same period.
* As measured by gross output, the plastic products portion of the plastics industry was the eighth largest U.S. industry in 2023 (the latest year for which data is available).
* The plastics industry has a presence in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas had the most employees in 2024, followed by Ohio, Michigan, California, and Pennsylvania.
"Despite economic headwinds over the past year, the plastics industry has proven itself both resilient and steadfast," said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS President and CEO. "This report highlights our industry's impact and its ability to adapt and innovate to meet evolving demands. It also reflects the strength and determination of our workforce and the essential role we play as a key driver of the U.S. economy."
"This year's report once again confirms the resilience of the U.S. plastics industry. Its economic impact, in some respects outpacing total manufacturing, has remained positive for many years and is unlikely to change in the future," said PLASTICS' Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda.
To request a copy of the Size and Impact Report Executive Summary please email Allie Richardson, arichardson@plasticsindustry.org.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $519 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
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Original text here: https://www.plasticsindustry.org/newsroom/2025-size-and-impact-report-u-s-plastics-industry-remains-robust-impactful-and-vital/
[Category: Industrial Materials]
