As I complete my first year as the ITA’s president, I want to look back at what we’ve accomplished and look forward to what I think we need to do as an association and as an industry over the coming year.
Our industry faces a number of assaults from both government and private sector opponents. Based on the hard work of many dedicated individuals too numerous to list, the ITA has been cultivating state and federal government allies. From this platform, we have mounted many successful campaigns, achieved many victories, and most importantly, built numerous lasting relationships. I think we should be proud of our legislative and political accomplishments.
The ITA’s deliberately orchestrated expansion of its political outreach arguably has been our greatest achievement over this past year, and those efforts will continue. In addition to fundraising efforts with House and Senate Party Committees, we’ve been working with our members to help more individuals develop personal relationships with their respective hometown House and Senate Members; to develop new allies for the industry; put a human face on what we do for a living; and better explain the impact of the Tan Tax and other potentially damaging regulatory efforts. These efforts paid off handsomely this summer when our enemies in Congress were thwarted as they tried to force the FDA to place additional restrictions on sunlamps and sunbeds.
Going forward, because our opponents have decided to make what we do for a living more about politics rather than science, we have to continue to expand our political efforts and work even harder to get our message out to the media and to the public. Unfortunately, this is all about money and we can only succeed if we work together, pooling our resources and speaking with one voice. My goal for the coming year is to make that a reality.
Thanks,
Rob Quinn
