 A year defined by a failure to agree |
| Amid squabbling and congressional deadlock, associations staunchly defended turf. |
| Hiring pace continues to stabilize |
| Vacancies still hover below pre-2008 levels; turnover is higher among top CEOs. |
| Industry groups in wait-and-see mode in payroll-tax cut machinations |
Both House and Senate bills include acceleration of Keystone pipeline review, but Senate bill excludes bonus depreciation, eased boiler rules and spectrum auctions.
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| Protesters target bankers group in K Street takeover |
| Building tenants and marchers encounter locked doors, additional security in Washington, D.C. downtown area |
| AMA plans to relocate HQ to iconic Chicago skyscraper |
| Designated Mies van der Rohe landmark once owned by IBM; CEO Madara cites ‘upgrade’ to group’s work environment. |
| Small newspapers group rebrands as the Local Media Association |
Association representing small community newspapers changes name to reflect membership diversity.
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| Opponents of ethics rule shift seek help from Democrats |
| Proposal would bar federal employees from taking gifts from lobbyists, including free passes to ‘widely attended gatherings.’ |
| New calendar for U.S. House poses quandary for some association fly-ins |
| Groups attempt to revise plans after learning of clashes with home-district weeks. |
| Airline lobby reorganization raises dues, cuts veto power |
Under new name of Airlines for America, nation’s largest carriers lose unilateral ability to stop actions, CEO gets more authority.
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| For Mortgage Bankers, charity begins at homeowner help |
| MBA helps Minnesota-based Spare Key philanthropy expand nationally, with grants from trade group’s D.C. chapter coming in 2012. |
| Aircraft owners group substitutes for sleigh and reindeer |
| Delivering a cargo of holly and toys, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association airlifts cheer to Chesapeake island during holidays.
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| Registrations up for Holiday Showcase meeting in Chicago |
| Annual conference organized by Association Forum of Chicagoland promises shorter meetings and three IT-based ‘solution sessions.’ |
| Associations find self-regulation nets good PR |
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| CTIA wins partial victory in lawsuit |
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| Sex harassment training lax at nonprofits |
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| Associations employ outreach programs to engage students |
| Promotional web sites, discounts and networking opportunities are some of the strategies aimed at increasing college-age interaction. |
| Group forms to promote clean energy technologies |
Advanced Energy Economy to represent businesses that develop clean energy products, from electric vehicles to alternative energy producers.
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| Efficiency spurs medical group merger |
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| Internet, TV coupling main focus of new group |
| Connected TV Marketing Association to represent companies that create content for Internet-connected televisions |
| Trade groups battle for the airwaves |
| With support for spectrum auctions on the supercommittee, broadcasters fight the tide. |
| The association workplace: Benefits come back, but not to former levels |
Many 401(k)s rebound after recession, but defined benefit plans may be history.
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| Many groups support tax ‘reform’—but differ markedly on the details |
Corporate tax code widely viewed as flawed, but each provision has constituency.
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| Training programs take aim at reducing sexual harassment |
| Charges against former NRA CEO Herman Cain may prompt leaders to be concerned about incidents in their organizations. |
| Presidential town halls highlight small business concerns |
| Four groups get bang for the buck on conference calls with candidates; Michele Bachmann takes strong stand on hot-button issues. |
| Coalition urges supercommittee to go beyond mandate |
U.S. Chamber, NAM join 200 groups seeking tax and entitlement reform and deficit reduction of greater than $1.5 trillion.
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| Banks, credit unions spar over small business lending |
| Congress considers bill aimed at boosting the economy, but long-time rivals have opposite views on market demand and other issues. |
| Lobbying expenditures decline for tax-exempt groups |
| Half of the biggest lobbying spenders reported less expenses in the third quarter; supercommittee lobbying dominates reports. |
| Chicago seeks to lure trade shows with labor settlements |
| City and state officials reach agreements with two unions to help reduce costs for holding conventions at McCormick Place.
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| Health underwriters group unveils new logo and HQ |
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| Solar, mortgage industries respond to negative attention |
SEIA fires back at critics with op-eds, fact sheets and studies, sponsors NPR segments; MBA offers mea culpa, takes positive steps.
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| New PACs launch ahead of election |
| Fundraising for established association PACs off to slow start this campaign season. |
| Perry argues for flat tax, less regulation in teleforum |
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| Groups hail congressional approval of free trade pacts |
Agreements inked with Korea, Colombia and Panama; some express concern about American jobs going overseas.
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| Associations strive to make long-distance relationships work |
| For dual-headquartered organizations, especially Chicago groups with D.C. lobbying presence, technology key to staying in touch. |
| Associations increase calls to settle online sales tax fight |
National dispute over online sales tax collection pits many traditional retail groups against their Internet-age counterparts.
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| Bitter winter poses a threat to Chicagoland associations |
| Groups advised to plan accordingly, do ‘vulnerability assessment,’ especially for meetings; milder weather likely in mid-Atlantic. |
| Rules and disclosures can negate value of establishing PACs |
The regulatory burden might not be worth the effort for small PACs; recent Supreme Court decision offers some reporting alternatives.
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| Lobbying the public: Groups lean heavily on digital presence |
| Internet and social media tools have become integral components in many public relations campaigns launched by associations. |
| Rail group chugs into the spotlight with moxie and a map |
| U.S. High Speed Rail Association promotes its vision and conferences after overcoming early criticism and a legal challenge in 2009.
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| Cities, developers press toward new brownfields funding |
| Coalition looks to reauthorization of EPA program designed to clean contaminated sites, but more money will be a tougher sell. |
| Groups fight ‘activist’ agenda in court |
| New laws and regulations spur increase in litigation; agencies cited for ‘gross overreach.’ |
Initially hesitant about the job, Gordon now feels at home, drawing on her long apprenticeship in health information, hospitals.
Advocacy is all about relationships, says Joe McGuire, but influence hinges on subject matter expertise and credibility.
Litigator turned association leader, John Gray has launched, dissolved and righted groups in changing political and industry currents.
