On May 13–15, GCSAA’s Government Affairs Director Chava McKeel joined industry leaders, regulatory professionals and government officials at the 2026 Regulatory Conference in Crystal City, Va., hosted by RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) and CropLife America.

GCSAA is a member of both organizations. RISE is a national trade association representing companies involved in specialty pesticides and fertilizers while CLA is the sister organization representing the agricultural sector.

This premier annual gathering brings together CLA and RISE member companies alongside officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and leading regulatory experts for timely, in-depth discussions on the most pressing issues shaping crop protection and specialty pesticide policy.

As the regulatory and policy landscape continues to evolve, the 2026 conference arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry. From evolving registration pathways and implementation of the ESA to increasing state-level activity and shifting federal priorities, the conversations happening this year will influence how the industry operates for years to come.

GCSAA has worked for years with the EPA to help the agency meet its ESA consultation obligations. During the General Session II – EPA Leadership Panel on Friday, GCSAA was praised for its continued engagement with the agency. In particular, the annual golf course tours held in Maryland have been incredibly valuable because staff can observe: what areas are actually treated, how limited treatment areas are, how courses are managed and that not all acreage is treated uniformly.

McKeel spent most of her time at the conference networking with attendees and also sitting in on sessions focused on the ESA. The government affairs department recently hosted a webinar on ESA compliance, and members can gain access to the webinar in the Learning Hub here.