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.’ |