Some of the best parts of being a member of the media are the experiences you have and knowledge you take with you. During my local media time, I had the chance to experience new, exciting things and gain a deeper understanding of the community I grew up in. Now being a part of the trade media market, I have expanded beyond those local communities and applied that understanding and appreciation for the companies and associations that are leading by example, specifically with their efforts to address topics like the obesity crisis that is affecting many Americans.
In this month’s cover story feature on the American Beverage Association (ABA) (page 18), President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Neely details some of the association’s well-documented initiatives like the School Beverage Guidelines, Clear on Calories initiative and Calories Count Vending Program. Although each initiative has its own makeup, they all come back to a key principle: collaboration.