Trade Associations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from national and international trade associations influencing the debate on federal policies.
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Mich. Retailers Association Reports Retailers See April Sales Dip From Slow March
LANSING, Michigan, May 26 (TNSres) -- The Michigan Retailers Association issued the following news release:
Michigan Retailers Association today reports that April 2022 sales slightly fell over March. Sales in Michigan have decreased, month-over-month, since a strong increase from February over January 2022.
The April Retail Index survey came in at 52.4, a small decrease over March's 53.5. Forty percent (40%) of Michigan retailers reported a sales increase over March; 34% noted a decrease, and 26% reported no change.
The seasonally adjusted performance Index is conducted by Michigan Retailers
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LANSING, Michigan, May 26 (TNSres) -- The Michigan Retailers Association issued the following news release:
Michigan Retailers Association today reports that April 2022 sales slightly fell over March. Sales in Michigan have decreased, month-over-month, since a strong increase from February over January 2022.
The April Retail Index survey came in at 52.4, a small decrease over March's 53.5. Forty percent (40%) of Michigan retailers reported a sales increase over March; 34% noted a decrease, and 26% reported no change.
The seasonally adjusted performance Index is conducted by Michigan RetailersAssociation (MRA) in cooperation with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Detroit branch.
The 100-point Index provides a snapshot of the state's overall retail industry. Index values above 50 generally indicate positive activity; the higher the number, the stronger the activity.
"Retailers in Michigan are facing many obstacles right now, they are short-staffed and overworked. Inflation and supply chain delays continue to impact their profit margins. Consumers can best support Michigan retailers by choosing to shop locally," said William J. Hallan, President and CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association.
Positive 3-Month Outlook Indicated
Sixty-three percent (63%) of retailers predict their sales will continue to rise through July, but 15% said they expect their sales to decline. Twenty-two percent (22%) anticipate no change. That results in a 70.2 Index rating, a slight decrease over last month's prediction Index rating of 70.8, still a solid indication for high sales activity in the next three months.
"The strong optimism for increased sales through July is encouraging to see. Summer tourism, even among high gas prices across the country, typically aids to the rise in sales. We're hopeful to see this seasonal swing over the next few months," said Hallan.
According to MRA's retail volume reports, the personal services industry performed the best in April 2022. Sales were up 16.23% over April 2021.
Michigan's unemployment rate in April preliminarily came in at 4.3%. In March, the unemployment rate in Michigan was 4.4%, down from February's 4.7%. In April 2021, Michigan's unemployment rate was 6.2%.
In April 2022, the national unemployment rate remained the same at 3.6% month-over-month. Last year, the national unemployment rate was 6.0%.
[Category: Business]
Independent Community Bankers: Statement on Confirmation of Sandra Thompson for Federal Housing Finance Agency Director
WASHINGTON, May 26 (TNStalk) -- The Independent Community Bankers of America issued the following statement:
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Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey released the following statement on the Senate confirmation of Sandra Thompson for Federal Housing Finance Agency director.
"ICBA and the nation's community banks congratulate Director Thompson on her confirmation as Federal Housing Finance Agency director.
"As relationship-focused mortgage lenders, community banks are committed to doing right by their customers and local communities.
"ICBA
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WASHINGTON, May 26 (TNStalk) -- The Independent Community Bankers of America issued the following statement:
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Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey released the following statement on the Senate confirmation of Sandra Thompson for Federal Housing Finance Agency director.
"ICBA and the nation's community banks congratulate Director Thompson on her confirmation as Federal Housing Finance Agency director.
"As relationship-focused mortgage lenders, community banks are committed to doing right by their customers and local communities.
"ICBAlooks forward to continuing to work with Director Thompson and FHFA staff to ensure Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks operate in a safe and sound manner and can continue to support the mortgage lending needs of the nation's community banks."
[Category: Financial Services]
Association of the U.S. Army: Speed is Vital on Capability Advances
ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 26 -- The Association of the U.S. Army issued the following news:
Technological advances need to accelerate at the same pace as evolving doctrine if the U.S. hopes to stay ahead of global warfighting competitors, Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood said May 19.
Speaking at the Association of the U.S. Army's LANPAC Symposium and Exposition in Honolulu, the Army's director of hypersonics, directed energy, space and rapid acquisition--all things involving rapid action--said the key to success will be to "accelerate ideas in the operational world and the doctrinal world." Those ideas
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 26 -- The Association of the U.S. Army issued the following news:
Technological advances need to accelerate at the same pace as evolving doctrine if the U.S. hopes to stay ahead of global warfighting competitors, Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood said May 19.
Speaking at the Association of the U.S. Army's LANPAC Symposium and Exposition in Honolulu, the Army's director of hypersonics, directed energy, space and rapid acquisition--all things involving rapid action--said the key to success will be to "accelerate ideas in the operational world and the doctrinal world." Those ideasmust also be meshed with the materiel world in terms of what industry can put into the hands of soldiers.
Speed, he said, is key. That requires having a common understanding and vision of outcomes in order to achieve rapid advances.
Traditionally, capabilities advances come from a process that "is a bit laborious. Sometimes it is not as fast as we need it to be," he said.
Thurgood's role is to accelerate the whole process. "We have to use a new set of rules," he said. "We have to accelerate those ideas to bring capabilities to bear for our Army. Collectively, we can do that with our industry partners."
Today, "we are under the biggest modernization strategy since 1940," he said, describing efforts as more than just prototyping equipment. Instead, the Army science and technology community is involved in invention and demonstration.
When the process works, it can get new equipment and capabilities into soldiers' hands far faster than in the past, he said. Not everything will work, but Thurgood said he subscribes to the notion of failing fast and failing early to not waste time and money. It is also wise to get soldiers' input early and often on any equipment, weapons and vehicles.
Thurgood said the central idea is to move quickly, try it and give it to a combat unit. "You are not trying to make it perfect," he said. "You can improve it later."
Hypersonic missiles and directed energy weapons are examples of systems already delivered to units.
[Category: National Defense]
American Society of Safety Professionals: Livestreamed Sessions Highlight Safety 2022 in Chicago
PARK RIDGE, Illinois, May 26 (TNSconf) -- The American Society of Safety Professionals issued the following news release:
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has unveiled two plenary sessions that will join two general sessions in a dynamic program designed to inspire, entertain and inform attendees of the Safety 2022 Professional Development Conference and Exposition in Chicago. ASSP's signature event takes place June 27-29 at McCormick Place.
The occupational safety and health event, returning to Chicago for the first time since 2011, will have its four major sessions livestreamed
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PARK RIDGE, Illinois, May 26 (TNSconf) -- The American Society of Safety Professionals issued the following news release:
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has unveiled two plenary sessions that will join two general sessions in a dynamic program designed to inspire, entertain and inform attendees of the Safety 2022 Professional Development Conference and Exposition in Chicago. ASSP's signature event takes place June 27-29 at McCormick Place.
The occupational safety and health event, returning to Chicago for the first time since 2011, will have its four major sessions livestreamedso that in-person and online attendees experience them together in real time. The broad access to Safety 2022 programming will reach thousands of safety and health professionals around the world who use what they learn to grow their career development and elevate safety at their organizations.
"We're excited about what's in store for attendees, knowing they will be energized and well-informed to better protect workers in all industries," said ASSP President Brad Giles, P.E., CSP, STS, FASSP, GIOSH.
These are the four general and plenary sessions planned for Safety 2022:
* Opening general session at 7:30 a.m. CT Monday, June 27: "The Truth About Heroes: Being Your Best When It Matters the Most." Kevin Brown has taken an unconventional path to success. After experiencing failures in business and relationships, he was guided to a new path by a mentor who helped him define what he now calls "the hero effect." He will explain how to be your best when it matters most, especially during a crisis. Brown will focus on four ideas that can move people from where they are today to a place they never imagined.
* Plenary session at 1:45 p.m. CT Tuesday, June 28: "How Equity Drives Safety Forward: Exploring the 'E' in DEI." Diversity, equity and inclusion play key roles in helping organizations achieve safety. While diversity and inclusion are well-known terms, equity is often the least understood. Equity recognizes that people may need different experiences or resources to achieve similar outcomes. A moderated four-person panel will help build an understanding of equity and discuss why it is important to worker safety and health.
* Plenary session at 9:15 a.m. CT Wednesday, June 29: "Emergency Preparedness and Response: The Ripple Effect." Like a stone thrown into a pond, an emergency creates cascading outcomes. The ripples can stress an organization's systems, workers, families and supply chains. Effects are felt throughout communities, particularly by vulnerable individuals. A moderated four-person panel will discuss how to improve a company's emergency preparedness and response, and provide tips for working with public agencies during a crisis.
* Closing general session at 1:45 p.m. CT Wednesday, June 29: "Just Keep Pushing." Three-time Olympian Devon Harris was raised in a ghetto in Jamaica, learning how to push past the gangs and drugs by using the power of visualization to imagine greatness. His vision took him to the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, and to become a founding member of Jamaica's original bobsled team. His determination to achieve something greater carried him far beyond daily life in his challenging childhood environment.
The safety and health of everyone at the convention center remains a priority. Under ASSP's on-site safety plan, attendees must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of badge pick-up. ASSP continues to track public health guidance and may revise its protocols as the event draws closer.
[Category: Engineering]
American Medical Association Statement on Texas School Shooting
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 26 (TNSpol) -- The American Medical Association issued the following statement by President Gerald E. Harmon:
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"The shooting yesterday at an elementary school is horrific and sadly--and unacceptably--all too familiar in the United States. A week after Buffalo, 10 years after Sandy Hook, 23 years after Columbine; the places and cities change, but the story is the same--too-easy access to firearms, inaction on wildly popular, common-sense safety measures like background checks, and countless lives lost or changed forever.
"As physicians, our mission is to heal and to
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CHICAGO, Illinois, May 26 (TNSpol) -- The American Medical Association issued the following statement by President Gerald E. Harmon:
* * *
"The shooting yesterday at an elementary school is horrific and sadly--and unacceptably--all too familiar in the United States. A week after Buffalo, 10 years after Sandy Hook, 23 years after Columbine; the places and cities change, but the story is the same--too-easy access to firearms, inaction on wildly popular, common-sense safety measures like background checks, and countless lives lost or changed forever.
"As physicians, our mission is to heal and tomaintain health. But too often the wounds we see in America today resemble the wounds I've seen in war. Each year more than 45,000 Americans die from firearm violence, and recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that firearm deaths are increasing and disparities are widening, with young people, males, and Black people experiencing the highest firearm homicide rates. More and more it is clear no place is safe--malls, schools, movie theaters, places of worship, and grocery stores have all been targeted. Firearm injuries and deaths are preventable. And while the ideal time to act and find common-sense solutions and common ground might have been years ago, the best we can do now is act today. We call on lawmakers, leaders and advocates to say enough is enough. No more Americans should die of firearm violence. No more people should lose loved ones."
Over the past two decades, the AMA has developed numerous policy recommendations to reduce firearm trauma, injury and death, including:
* A waiting period for firearm availability
* Background checks for all firearm purchasers
* Firearm safety and research and enhancing access to mental health care
* Gun safety education and regulation of interstate traffic of guns
* Distribution of firearm safety materials in the clinical setting
* Limit and control the possession and storage of weapons on school property
* Firearm safety counseling with patients
* Trigger locks and gun cabinets to improve firearm safety
* Data on firearm deaths and injuries
* Prevention of unintentional shooting deaths among children
* Ban on handguns and automatic repeating weapons
* Prevention of firearm accidents in children
* Waiting period before gun purchase
* Restriction of assault weapons
* Mandated penalties for crimes committed with firearms
* Public health policy approach for preventing violence in America
The AMA declared firearm-related violence-one of the leading causes of intentional and unintentional injuries and deaths in the United States-a public health crisis in in 2016. The AMA has also developed resources to help physicians address firearm injuries, including a continuing medical education (CME) module designed to assist physicians in recognizing risk factors and effectively communicating with patients to reduce the risk of firearm injury and death. The AMA will continue to support policies and advocate for initiatives aimed at encouraging firearm safety and preventing firearm-related injuries and deaths.
[Category: Medical]
American International Automobile Dealers Presents Advocacy Award to Toyota's Bob Carter
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 26 (TNSawa) -- The American International Automobile Dealers Association issued the following news release on May 24, 2022:
The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) tonight honored Bob Carter, executive vice president of sales for Toyota Motor North America, with its 2022 Fritz Hitchcock Advocacy Achievement award. The award is bestowed annually upon an industry leader who has made an exceptional effort in engaging elected officials and other policymakers on issues impacting the international auto dealer community.
"Bob understands dealers,
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 26 (TNSawa) -- The American International Automobile Dealers Association issued the following news release on May 24, 2022:
The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) tonight honored Bob Carter, executive vice president of sales for Toyota Motor North America, with its 2022 Fritz Hitchcock Advocacy Achievement award. The award is bestowed annually upon an industry leader who has made an exceptional effort in engaging elected officials and other policymakers on issues impacting the international auto dealer community.
"Bob understands dealers,their stores, and their concerns on every level," said AIADA President and CEO Cody Lusk. "When we're fighting in D.C. to protect dealerships and dealership employees, we always know Bob will be right there with us. He has spent his career acting as a voice for dealers and they are grateful to have him as a friend and an advocate."
Carter has been with Toyota since 1981 and has held a variety of leadership roles, including vice president of sales for both Toyota and Lexus, general manager of Toyota's Denver regional sales office, Lexus Eastern area manager, and Lexus national market representation manager. He received the 2022 Fritz Hitchcock Advocacy Achievement award during a welcome dinner for AIADA's annual spring Fly-In, which brings dealers from around the country to Washington, D.C. to meet with their lawmakers.
In 2016 AIADA renamed its Grassroots Leadership Award in honor of California auto dealer and industry icon Fritz Hitchcock, who passed away in 2021. AIADA celebrated Fritz's legacy with special reception following dinner.
[Category: Facilities Management]
Aerospace Industries Association Applauds Senate Committee Passage of Bipartisan Advanced Air Mobility Legislation
ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 26 (TNStalk) -- The Aerospace Industries Association issued the following statement:
* * *
President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Eric Fanning issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's passage of legislation to establish advanced air mobility (AAM) planning grants.
"The United States has the opportunity to lead the global market and realize new possibilities for moving people and cargo in urban, suburban, and rural areas. This legislation is a critical step forward in envisioning how
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 26 (TNStalk) -- The Aerospace Industries Association issued the following statement:
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President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Eric Fanning issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's passage of legislation to establish advanced air mobility (AAM) planning grants.
"The United States has the opportunity to lead the global market and realize new possibilities for moving people and cargo in urban, suburban, and rural areas. This legislation is a critical step forward in envisioning howAAM and emerging technologies will be integrated into communities across the country. We are grateful for the leadership of the bill's sponsors, Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), and we look forward to the Senate's full consideration and swift passage of the legislation."
In a study conducted in partnership with Deloitte (https://www.aia-aerospace.org/news/aia-deloitte-aam-report/), AIA found that the market for AAM in the United States is estimated to reach $115 billion annually by 2035, potentially creating more than 280,000 jobs.
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View bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4246?r=2&s=2
[Category: Aerospace]
