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Articles by Geoff Freeman
World Cup reveals how America wins back the world
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World Cup reveals how America wins back the world
The early days of the World Cup have offered many inspiring moments — not just the goals, cultural displays, and stories of international tourists discovering America’s incredible treasures, but a quieter revelation: Everyday Americans, not politicians, are the most effective ambassadors our country has. Across the nation, they are showing off their towns, their food, and their welcome, and reminding the world what America is really like. It couldn’t come at a better time.
Angst vor der WM in den USA? Heftige Debatte um Amnesty-Leitfaden
Angst vor der WM in den USA? Heftige Debatte um Amnesty-Leitfaden Kurz vor der Fußball-WM in den USA sorgt ein neuer Reiseratgeber von Amnesty International und mehreren US-Organisationen für Wirbel.
Op-Ed: How to Welcome the World’s Travelers When America Feels Challenged
Geoff Freeman is President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the national nonprofit organization representing the U.S. travel industry. The USTA’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. Perception matters. Perception shapes travel. It influences decisions well before anyone books a ticket. Today, global perceptions of the United States are being tested, and it shows: International inbound visits are projected to finish the year down 6 percent.
Travel leadership arrives in Washington not a moment too soon
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The Travel Experience Needs an Upgrade - Here’s How You Can Help
This article was produced in partnership with U.S. Travel Association. We all have a travel wish list. Sure, there are dream destinations and bucket-list adventures—but what about the wish list for how we experience travel itself? The one where airport lines aren’t endless, security checks are quick, and navigating customs doesn’t feel like a marathon.
Why Congress Must Provide Long-term Support for Customs Preclearance
Discussions about the important work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are often linked with the southern border and the resources dedicated to its management, but the agency’s preclearance work at the northern border between the United States and Canada — the longest international land border in the world — needs attention, too. The northern border receives just a fraction of CBP’s budget to secure and facilitate trade and travel across its vast span.
The Covid emergency ends. Now, we move forward
On May 11, more than three years after the pandemic brought global travel to a halt, the U.S. finally lifted its vaccine requirement for international inbound travelers. Geoff Freeman is CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. The requirement, the last such inbound-travel requirement in the world, was eliminated just days after the World Health Organization declared the pandemic no longer a global health emergency.
American Express Named Sole official sponsor and official card of U.S. Travel Association
Travel Association and American Express today announced a renewal of their successful partnership that will see American Express return as the association’s sole official sponsor and official card for 2023-2024.“Our relationship with American Express supports U.” Since the partnership first launched in 2014, American Express has sponsored key industry events such as IPW, the leading international inbound travel trade show; the Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO), the premier...
AARP the Magazine Celebrates Country Music With June/July Cover
AARP the Magazine Celebrates Country Music With June/July Cover AARP the Magazine's "For Love of Country" cover features 14 country music icons. Continue reading…
The EPA wants to fix US recycling. Start by making it simpler.
Geoff Freeman is president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, the national trade association for consumer packaged goods. This week marked the 24th year of America Recycles Day. It’s a day that should celebrate progress, yet in the more than two decades since its inception, the recycling rate stands at only 32% today and was on the decline in recent years. Despite the low rate, recycling is something Americans care about — and score its importance as an 8.3 on a 10-point scale.
3 Ways to Start Tackling America’s Broken Recycling System
By Geoff Freeman - 08/06/2020 Get great content like this right in your inbox. Subscribe If we were to completely reimagine the U.S. recycling system, what would it look like? There’s no question that recycling in America is broken. There’s also no question that we must do everything we can to save it. But the fix isn’t going to be easy or quick, and it’s going to take a lot of work from all stakeholders. We’ve got three ways to start tackling this critical problem: 1.
A Human Powered Industry Delivers on its Responsibility
A few months back, I read a story about Gabe Scuderi, an employee in RB’s Lysol manufacturing facility in Somerset County, NJ. His daughter had been watching the news as coronavirus escalated and told him he was saving the world right now. In that moment, his job became a purpose. And then there’s Carolyn Mendel, a 15-year veteran of General Mills who oversees 1,000 workers in Wellston, OH where they make Totino’s pizza and rolls.
At-risk and unaware, consumers need CBD regulation
Cannabidiol — known and CBD — has gone mainstream. You can find it for sale anywhere from gas stations to grocery stores to farmers markets across the country, rocketing ahead of scientific research, regulatory oversight and consumer knowledge. New research from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (where I am president and CEO) reveals that four-in-ten Americans who have heard of CBD believe it’s another name for marijuana. More than half (51 percent) think it can get you high.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Californians deserve recycling legislation that is more than a talking point
This week, California has the chance to make history. The legislature will vote on a pair of bills that would make California the first state in the country to require all packaging sold within the state be recyclable or compostable by 2030. All of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have already committed to creating more sustainable packaging – 80% have committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 – and stand behind the legislation’s original intent.
Transportation: Let's stop a problem from becoming a crisis
If your grocery bill starts trending higher, the problem can be traced to the nation’s highways, not the aisles of your local store. A looming transportation crisis threatens to drive up prices on millions of goods that Americans buy every day. Shipping costs are accelerating rapidly, beyond the capacity of major food and consumer products manufacturers to absorb. Of the 25 largest consumer packaged goods companies, 18 say rising transportation costs have already or may lead to higher prices.
AGA: What Tax Reform Means for Gaming
Moments ago, Congress approved the most extensive changes to the tax code since 1986. While time will tell whether this broad overhaul ultimately leads to the type of economic growth proponents have promised, AGA is proud to have actively led an inclusive industry effort to ensure changes to the corporate tax code provide a net benefit to our members.
Bad Penny
As the U.S. and other nations become increasingly dependent on nuclear energy, our elected officials are faced with a difficult decision about what to do with nuclear byproducts. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives last month passed, by a large margin (340-72), a repeatedly tried-and-failed proposal for Nevada’s Yucca Mountain to become the country’s sole consolidated nuclear waste repository. This is simply a non-starter, and not just for Nevadans.
Prediction: The Washington Capitals will win the team’s first Stanley Cup
Prediction: The Washington Capitals will win the team’s first Stanley CupBy Geoff Freeman, President, American Gaming AssociationMay 27, 2018 at 10:51 pmThe Washington Capitals organization began play in 1974 – this is their second appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Vegas Golden Knights began play about 15 minutes ago and they’re already in their first Stanley Cup Final.Where was the heartache? Where were the Game 7 losses that felt like a punch in the stomach?
Next Steps on Sports Betting
Next Steps on Sports BettingBy Geoff Freeman, President, American Gaming AssociationMay 18, 2018 at 1:10 pmThis was a momentous week for the gaming industry as the United States Supreme Court struck down the failed Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992.This victory would not have been possible without the commitment and leadership of members like you.
Supreme Court pleases American Gaming Association
Supreme Court gives gaming fans what they’ve been seeking: Opposing view The Supreme Court’s decision overturning the federal ban on sports betting will deliver what millions of Americans have been seeking — a safe, legal and regulated environment to bet on sports. Americans already illegally wager an estimated $150 billion on sporting events each year. By any standard, the federal ban failed. Miserably.
The federal sports betting ban has failed: Let’s legalize and regulate it
America’s federal ban on sports betting has failed. That’s why a new, diverse coalition including law enforcement, elected officials and gaming leaders is coming together to reform the law. We want to give states the opportunity to decide whether to legalize and regulate sports betting, just as they already do with casinos, lotteries and other forms of gaming. Officially, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibits traditional sports betting outside Nevada.
Lift the Harmful, Failing Federal Ban on Sports Betting
Before the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons even take the field for Super Bowl LI, the action will have long since commenced. Nearly 50 million Americans are scurrying to place their bets before kickoff, and wagers on the NFL’s grand finale will total an estimated $4.7 billion?—?but only a little over $100 million of that legally in Nevada. It’s clear that sports betting has never been more popular. Nevada’s legal, regulated sports books are breaking records.
How States Can Maximize Gaming’s Many Benefits
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to address the Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force. The formation of this Task Force is an astute acknowledgment that the public policies that guided gaming’s expansion beyond Nevada and New Jersey are not necessarily the same policies that will empower the industry to succeed in today’s ultra-competitive environment where gaming is now viewed as a mainstream industry.
Las Vegas debate completes gaming’s emergence onto national scene
The final presidential debate will be held this evening and the attention of 80 million or more Americans will be fixed on Las Vegas. That’s fitting because 2016 will go down as one of the most consequential years for the gaming industry. Once confined to Nevada and New Jersey, gaming now operates in 40 states, supports more than 1.7 million American jobs and generates $38 billion in tax revenues annually for communities across the United States.
AGA Unites with Gaming Leaders to Underscore Commitment to Responsible Gaming
This week, we kick off Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW), a week when the gaming industry shines a spotlight on an important issue that our members and broader industry commit to all year long. Gaming operators and manufacturers across the country will commemorate the industry’s responsible gaming efforts by holding dozens of local events and responsible gaming educational activities this week.
AGA Brings Together Influential Audiences for First Time
AGA Brings Together Influential Audiences for First Time With the goal of shaping gaming policy and perception among critical influencers from across the country in a way that’s never been done before, AGA convened congressional staff, media, academic experts and gaming executives in Washington, D.C. last week for our second annual Gaming Experts Forum.
United We Stand | Global Gaming Business Magazine
The American Gaming Association has never been stronger or more inclusive than it is today. Continuing to represent the totality of the casino gaming industry, AGA recently announced the addition of eight new members, marking an increase in membership by more than 50 percent in the last year. Three of the eight additions joined as board members, including AGS, Cherokee Nation Entertainment and Delaware North.
Letter to the Editor: Gaming industry is a strong community partner
As Tiverton, Rhode Island, residents prepare to vote on Question 1, a casino referendum in November, it is imperative they have the facts needed to make an informed decision, not one based on outdated myths that were disproven a long time ago.
NHL Team in Las Vegas Helps to Clear Path for Legalized Sports Betting Across U.S.
After years of hoping for a big-time sports franchise, Las Vegas today officially joined the ranks of a major league sports city. An NHL team in Las Vegas is a win for Nevada, a win for casino gaming and a win for fans. As a passionate Washington Capitals fan and someone who makes many business trips to Las Vegas every winter, I’m excited to catch a few road games when the Caps visit Nevada in the coming years. The ramifications of this move are many.
Written Testimony for Congressional Hearing on Daily Fantasy Sports
Submitted for the record to the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade The American Gaming Association (AGA) represents America’s commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming manufacturers, suppliers and other businesses affiliated with the licensed casino gaming industry. We are a national industry that operates in 40 states, supports 1.7 million jobs and contributes $240 billion to America’s economy every year.
Sports Betting: America’s New Pastime
The same week he selected his nominee for the Supreme Court, President Barack Obama filled out his March Madness bracket in a nationally-broadcast event that has become an annual White House tradition over the last eight years.
Howard Stutz, Unmatched in Gaming Coverage, Leaves Gaping Hole as He Departs the Profession
When I took the helm of the AGA nearly three years ago, Howard Stutz penned a piece warning me about what I would encounter. “Overseeing the American Gaming Association is not like herding cats. It’s more like herding mountain lions. One misstep and you’ll lose body parts,” he wrote. While few industries rival the competitive nature of gaming, the same cannot be said for the press corps that covers it.
Howard Stutz, Unmatched in Gaming Coverage, Leaves Gaping Hole as He Departs the Profession
When I took the helm of the AGA nearly three years ago, Howard Stutz penned a piece warning me about what I would encounter. “Overseeing the American Gaming Association is not like herding cats. It’s more like herding mountain lions. One misstep and you’ll lose body parts,” he wrote. While few industries rival the competitive nature of gaming, the same cannot be said for the press corps that covers it.
Remarks at the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee Meeting
Governor Sandoval … Committee members … thank you for the opportunity to speak today on behalf of the American Gaming Association. The AGA represents the totality of the licensed U.S. casino gaming industry — operators and suppliers. I applaud you for convening this meeting of the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee.
Nevada can blaze trail on daily fantasy, eSports
When the Nevada Gaming Control Board determined in October that daily fantasy sports companies must be licensed to operate in the Silver State, many observers falsely presumed that the casino gaming industry was flexing its muscle to shut down an upstart competitor. In actuality, Nevada provided legal clarity and a roadmap for daily fantasy sports’ continued success — exactly what the gaming industry is seeking across the United States.
Gaming Wins Big in Nevada Caucuses
Over the last few days, observers have been talking about Senator Harry Reid’s successful push to make Nevada an important state in the presidential nominating process. Beyond the candidates who appealed to the state’s racially, geographically and philosophically diverse electorate, many benefitted from this move, not least of which is the casino gaming industry.
AGA Outlines Concerns with IRS’ Proposals
The AGA has submitted its formal comments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on behalf of the gaming industry, after months of convening AGA-member tax, finance and operations experts and collecting industry-wide feedback.
Casino gaming creates jobs, supports small business
As the start of the Florida legislative session looms, and with another debate on casino gaming forthcoming, casino critics are out in force. Their tiresome strategy is to use the closings of a couple of Atlantic City, N.J., properties to peddle their exaggerated narrative of how the sky will fall in Florida if casinos emerge.
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