by Kyle Turk
For nearly a century, the Natural Products Association has believed that meaningful policy engagement is not optional for our industry; it’s essential.
This year’s NPA Fly-In Day was a powerful reminder of why that mission matters and why direct advocacy continues to shape the future of dietary supplements, natural products and consumer access to wellness.
In Washington, D.C., more than 130 industry leaders, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and advocates came together with a shared purpose: to ensure policymakers hear directly from the people responsible for serving millions of American consumers every day.
What makes Fly-In Day unique is not simply the number of meetings or the policy priorities discussed. It is the collective commitment from participants who take time away from their businesses and families to engage in the American political process. In an environment where decisions made in legislatures and federal agencies increasingly impact product access, innovation and regulatory certainty, showing up to U.S. congressional offices matters.
This year’s conversations focused on some of the most consequential issues facing the industry. Participants advocated expanding HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) eligibility for dietary supplements, reinforcing the importance of federal regulatory uniformity, modernizing the race-to-market clause in DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994) that impacts dietary ingredient innovation, and opposing unnecessary mandatory product-listing proposals that could impose significant burdens on industry without improving consumer safety.
These were not abstract policy discussions. They were conversations rooted in real-world impacts. We educated legislators and their staff on the impacts of regulations on small businesses, consumer choice, manufacturing operations, innovation pipelines, and access to products Americans rely on every day to support their health and wellness.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Fly-In Day is watching participants realize the value of their voice. For many attendees, particularly first-time advocates, there is a moment where congressional engagement stops feeling distant and starts feeling tangible. They recognize that lawmakers and staff genuinely want to hear from constituents and industry experts who understand these issues firsthand.
That realization is important because advocacy cannot be episodic. The natural products industry operates in an increasingly complex political and regulatory environment, and long-term success requires sustained engagement, credible relationships, and a willingness to participate consistently in the policymaking process.
Fly-In Day also reflected the strength and growth of the industry itself. The level of engagement, professionalism and passion underscored why the natural products community remains one of the most dynamic sectors in American health and wellness.
This event also showcased the pride our team at the Natural Products Association takes in organizing and hosting the industry’s premier legislative fly-in. Bringing together advocates from across the country, coordinating dozens of congressional meetings, and creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue with policymakers is no small undertaking. It is work we deeply believe in because the stakes for this industry and the consumers it serves continue to grow.
As we celebrate NPA’s 90th anniversary, Fly-In Day served as a reflection of the association’s longstanding mission and a reminder that the industry’s future will be shaped by those willing to engage, advocate and lead.
The conversations in legislative offices during Fly-In Day do not end when participants leave the nation’s capital. In many ways, they are just beginning.
Kyle Turk is VP of Government Affairs with the Natural Products Association. Since joining NPA in 2019, Mr. Turk has led some of the most consequential advocacy efforts in the sector, earning recognition as one of The Hill’s top lobbyists on several occasions. He also is responsible for organizing NPA’s Fly-In Day, the industry’s premier annual lobbying event.
