Premier Express Industry Trade Association Announces Sweeping Changes

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Express Delivery & Logistics Association (XLA), the premier trade association of the industry, will now provide full access to -- and participation in -- the work of its Government Affairs Committee (GAC) to all its members, beginning in January 2009. For many years, the XLA has operated with two levels of membership, the basic membership in the trade association with standard membership benefits, and a separate membership required to participate in the GAC.

The XLA of 2009 is an integrated, aligned association representing the interests of all the members, with no delineation between the basic and Government Affairs Committee memberships. All members will receive the benefits of the work done by the GAC in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the express delivery industry -- specifically in the areas of security, Customs, postal, trade and independent contractor issues. The GAC is one of five standing committees established by XLA's Board of Directors, and is managed by George Trapp, of Trapp Consulting, Inc., and the leadership of the GAC.

Members of XLA are the influential companies that participate in policy and legislative initiatives to protect the industry from onerous laws and regulations that impair business activity. For more than 32 years, XLA has been highly successful in representing the interests of these companies in Washington, D.C., and to the world agencies that impact their businesses globally.

Founded in 1976, XLA is a nonprofit association whose members include large firms with global delivery networks and smaller businesses with strong regional delivery networks. For more information, contact Kristy McKibben, Executive Director, at 816-221-0254 or visit www.expressassociation.org.