This 12-month cohort equips you to become an advocate for our industry and a transformative leader in your company.
The Government Affairs Leadership Academy (GALA) is the de facto leadership training program in our industry. You’ll learn together as a cohort from some of the most respected leaders in our industry and, over the course of 12 months, learn the skills to advocate for our industry at all levels of government. In addition, through a combination of in-person and virtual events, you’ll develop the skillset to be a defining leader for the rest of your career.
“The Government Affairs Academy was literally life-changing for me. I never realized how much of a voice I can have for our industry—and it connected me all kinds of leaders who I’ve been able to learn from.”
—Grant Falco (CEO, Falco’s Spokane)
Throughout the cohort, you’ll learn how government works at the local—and national—level and discover how to use that knowledge to advocate for your business and our industry as well.
Every month you’ll participate in a cohort call that includes learning about government affairs and also leadership in general (from some of the most prominent leaders in our indsutry).
HPBA staff is excited to announce that the application window for the 2025-2026 Government Affairs Leadership Academy (GALA) class will open on Friday, November 1. Links to the application form will be posted here and shared on other social channels.
Since 2006, the Tom Pugh Government Affairs Academy has cultivated industry champions to advocate at all levels of government. However, GALA will take this legacy to new lengths. GALA offers a comprehensive experience, not only nurturing advocacy capabilities but also honing essential leadership skills crucial for our industry’s future.
GALA participants will join their peers in learning how to protect their businesses, develop leadership skills, expand industry knowledge, and grow their network. GALA will offer valuable training in navigating government affairs issues and advocating for the industry – all while preparing attendees for leadership roles in their companies and within HPBA.
Kicking off with an in-person session at the HPBExpo 2025 in New Orleans, GALA will offer virtual sessions throughout the year, with sessions including:
– Understanding legislative and regulatory processes
– Policy impacts on the industry
– Preparing to engage with elected officials, case studies in successful meetings
– Advocacy tools and resources
– Understanding the impact of codes & standards
– Profiles in leadership from industry executives
These skills will be on display as HPBA Government Affairs staff will host GALA participants in Summer 2025* in Washington, DC to meet with their congressional members, committee staff and other key stakeholders.
* Note: Washington DC meeting dates will be confirmed once the legislative session calendars are posted by House and Senate leadership offices.
New to the 2025-2026 GALA, applicants will be required to be sponsored under one of the categories below:
1. Retailers, distributors and service-related members: sponsored and mentored by their regional affiliate director.
2. Manufacturer members: sponsored by company and submit internal leadership mentor with their application.
Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today!
“We’ve all heard the expression, “You only go around once in life.” Over the past 15 years, I have had ample opportunities to attend the GAA, but I never took it seriously until last year. I was a bit concerned about the entire process, and it was a bit overwhelming, the prospect of meeting one-on-one with Senators, Congressmen, and their staff. That fact is, it was not the least bit difficult and it was far from one-on-one! After two days of intense training (intense in a good way), our guide (affectionately known as our “Sherpa”) guided us through the halls of the Congress. My business benefitted greatly from the GAA and we are better prepared as a result to meet any challenge head-on!”
—Chris Neufeld (Vice President of Blaze King)
“This was a very good experience. It helped build confidence to do the same on the local government level.”
—Joe Burns (President of Hearthstone Stoves)
“The GAA Summit was absolutely one of the best seminars I have ever attended. The amount of information and the hands-on communications training gave me the knowledge and skill to handle myself in fast-moving situations that can often be very stressful and emotional when faced with wild accusations. I can now confidently engage the press, regulatory bodies, or local air districts. I consider GAA imperative for anyone who is going to spend their career managing a business in the hearth industry.”
—Shannon Reyna (Pacific Northwest Sales Representative)
Northeast HPBA (NEHPBA) held Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on June 26. They had 14 scheduled meetings and several other impromptu ones! Very effective conversations were had,
