ASAE Urges Congress to Fully Fund TSA to Protect Meetings and Events
Earlier this week, ASAE submitted a letter to Congress calling for swift action to fully fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), underscoring the critical importance of stable travel infrastructure to the association community.
Negotiations between the White House and Congress have remained at an impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) since the partial shutdown began on Feb. 14.
In the letter, ASAE emphasized that association meetings and business events are a vital engine of the U.S. economy and workforce—bringing together professionals, researchers, educators, and industry leaders to exchange knowledge, drive innovation, and strengthen communities across nearly every sector. Hundreds of ASAE members have utilized an ASAE Call to Action this week to amplify the message that TSA needs to be fully funded.
“When millions of attendees are traveling to conferences and professional meetings that are planned months or years in advance, even small disruptions can have significant ripple effects across the economy,” ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP, said in ASAE’s letter.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by recent warnings from TSA officials that prolonged funding lapses could force some airports – particularly smaller ones – to shut down if staffing shortages worsen. With roughly 50,000 TSA officers required to work without pay during a shutdown, financial strain has already contributed to rising absences and workforce attrition, increasing the risk of longer security lines and broader travel disruptions.
“As the weeks continue, if this continues, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones, if call-out rates go up. A lot of these officers can’t afford to come in,” said Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl on Fox News this week.
Appeals Court Overturns Major Increase in Music Licensing Fees
A federal appeals court last month overturned a significant increase in song licensing fees that would have affected associations, concert promoters and live events across the country.
In a decision issued Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated a lower court ruling that had approved a 138% increase in blanket license fees for public performance rights from the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). The panel found that the previous decision relied on an approach that “imposed unreasonable rates” and lacked precedent within the industry.
The appeals court specifically criticized the use of a new revenue model that included income streams not closely tied to the fair market value of music, noting that it introduced added administrative complexity without clear benefit. The case has been remanded back to the lower court for reconsideration.
The original 2023 ruling, issued by Judge Louis Stanton, had adopted BMI’s proposal to benchmark rates against those set by other performing rights organizations, including SESAC and Global Music Rights (GMR).
A broad coalition of associations and industry groups challenged that approach on appeal, arguing that it departed from longstanding standards. Groups including the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, International Association of Venue Managers, the Motion Picture Association, Radio Music License Committee, National Association of Broadcasters, and Digital Media Association argued that licensing rates should instead be based on those established by ASCAP and BMI, which operate under legal requirements to set “reasonable” rates.
The decision is an important development for the meetings, events, and entertainment sectors, where music licensing is a key operational cost.
“ECA applauds the appellate court’s decision to vacate the original judge’s ruling, which would have almost certainly imposed unreasonable costs on associations wanting to play music at their meetings and conferences,” said Tommy Goodwin, MBA, FASAE, CAE, PMP, CMP, president and CEO of ECA. “ECA will continue to advocate for making it easier for associations and other event organizers to legally play music at their events.”
DOJ and FTC Seek Input on Antitrust Guidance
The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are inviting public comment on potential new antitrust guidance governing collaborations among competitors – an issue with important implications for many associations.
Issued on February 23, the joint request signals renewed attention to how organizations, including associations, navigate collaboration in areas such as benchmarking, research, and data sharing. Comments are open through April 24, 2026, via regulations.gov.
At the center of this effort is a key concern for associations: how to responsibly share information and data in their constituents’ fields. For decades, many associations have relied on established antitrust “safety zones” to guide activities like statistical surveys and benchmarking programs. However, those longstanding guidelines were withdrawn in 2024, creating uncertainty around what constitutes permissible data sharing.
“Vigorous and effective enforcement can only exist when the rules of the road are clearly outlined,” said Omeed A. Assefi, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust. He noted that procompetitive collaborations are not only allowed, but often beneficial in today’s complex economic environment – making clear guidance essential.
For associations, the outcome of this process could shape how they deliver one of their core member values: trusted, aggregated information and insights. Clearer guidance may help reduce legal ambiguity while enabling associations to continue providing data-driven resources that support members’ decision-making and advancement.
Apply for ASAE’s 2026 Power of Associations Awards
The application period is now open for ASAE’s 2026 Power of Associations Awards, which recognize associations that go above and beyond their everyday mission to undertake initiatives that benefit America and the world.
The Power of Associations Awards are offered in five categories: Advocacy, Community Support and Engagement, Conscious Inclusion, Global Development, and Industry/Professional Advancement.
