Independent evaluator Keybridge LLC released its annual report on progress toward a nationwide goal, set by the beverage industry and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, to reduce the calories and sugar Americans get from beverages. The report noted that 2019 saw the largest single-year reduction in calorie consumption and the third consecutive year of declines since the launch of the initiative.

The American Beverage Association (ABA), Washington, D.C., announced it has joined the newly formed U.S. Plastics Pact as a Not-for-Profit Founding Activator. In this role, ABA will provide leadership in the transition to the circular economy for plastics and work with pact stakeholders to promote its acceleration, the association says. 

As consumers altered their buying patterns during this pandemic, distributors, manufacturers and retailers have stepped up their efforts to keep those essential needs fulfilled.

As the trade association celebrated a century of refreshment, it welcomed a network of beverage industry executive leaders for its Centennial Advocacy Summit, which took place Oct. 28-30 in Washington, D.C.

America’s leading beverage companies — The Coca-Cola Co., Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo — announced the launch of the Every Bottle Back initiative, an effort to reduce the industry’s use of new plastic by making significant investments to improve the collection of the industry’s valuable plastic bottles so they can be made into new bottles.

According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), the nation needs an estimated 50,000 additional truck drivers immediately as the shortage is expected to grow to more than 174,000 by 2026.

The American Beverage Association (ABA), Washington, D.C., announced that Katherine Lugar, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), will join ABA as its new president and CEO later this year. Lugar will succeed Susan K. Neely, who led the ABA for 13 years. Neely was named president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) in May 2018.

I have told many how much I believed that Susan was one of, if not the best, leaders among trade associations.

As many working within this industry know, these taxes extend to nearly all beverage categories (minus 100 percent juice, milk, milk alternatives, infant formula, medical-use beverages, therapeutic meal replacements, or syrup and powder mixes). Many retailers and consumers are noting the confusing nature of these taxes.

CEO Update has named Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Washington, D.C.-based American Beverage Association (ABA), the 2017 Trade Association CEO of the Year, an annual award recognizing outstanding trade association executives. Neely received the award for her forward-thinking leadership as the head of the ABA and her dedication and service to the wider association community, the company says.