Coastal Voices United: ASBPA Summit Attendees Bring Coastal Community Priorities to Capitol Hill

April 9, 2026Beach News Service, Conferences

The American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) marked its 100th anniversary in Washington, D.C., in March with a milestone Coastal Summit that brought coastal professionals, community leaders, and policy advocates together for three days of collaboration.

From March 24-26, attendees gathered for panels, presentations, federal briefings, networking events, and the signature Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 25th, where state teams met face‑to‑face with Congressional offices to elevate coastal resilience, infrastructure, and funding priorities.

Attendees from coastal communities across the United States – East Coast, West Coast, Gulf, Great Lakes, territories, and more – joined forces to deliver a unified message to Congress: America’s coasts are essential, interconnected, and deserving of strong, consistent federal support.

ASBPA Advocacy Day: A Nationwide Effort

Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill was designed to bring diverse coastal voices into direct conversation with leaders who shape national coastal policy. Attendees formed state and regional groups, but each meeting was anchored in a shared mission that transcended geography. Every team carried the same core priorities:

Strengthening coastal infrastructure
Supporting science‑based coastal management
Enhancing resilience and adaptation
Ensuring reliable, long‑term federal investment

This coordinated structure allowed participants from all coastlines to raise both local needs and collective national concerns, reinforcing that coastal issues aren’t isolated – they ripple across the entire country.

Summit reflections emphasized that these staff‑level conversations were impactful and deeply collaborative. Participants noted a solid knowledge of coastal needs amongst elected officials and staffers, as well as sense of unity and nationwide alignment on issues.

A Centennial Moment for Coastal Advocacy

In addition to meetings with elected officials and Congressional staff, the day included the introduction of ASBPA’s 100th Anniversary proclamation on both the House and Senate floors, followed by a formal event showcasing representatives from across the nation presenting state and local proclamations to ASBPA.

Reflections: Momentum Through Collective Action

Following the Summit, attendees felt empowered and motivated by the Hill visits, describing the conversations as strategic and rooted in shared purpose. Participants emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum on the national scale as they continue pushing for resilient, well‑funded coastal futures.

The takeaway was unmistakable: when coastal communities speak together, their voice is stronger.

Looking Ahead

The unity demonstrated on Advocacy Day sets the tone for the next chapter of ASBPA’s legacy. Despite geographical differences, coastal challenges are quite similar across our four coasts. The more we can lean into this message of national unity, the more effective our voice for shore & beach preservation becomes.

ASBPA’s work continues this fall at the 100th Anniversary National Coastal Conference, taking place October 5-8, 2026, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mark your calendars and plan to join coastal professionals from across the country as we continue advancing collaboration, science‑based policy, and coastal resilience nationwide: asbpa.org/asbpa-national-coastal-conference-2026

Coastal Voices United: ASBPA Summit Attendees Bring Coastal Community Priorities to Capitol Hill

BECOME A MEMBER!

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT US