DSA’s in Momentum: Advocacy, Infrastructure and the Power of Story
The Direct Selling Association holds regular updates for members, sharing the progress and planning for the organization. To learn more about DSA events and meetings, dsa.org/events.
I listened, learned and loved the January DSA Update!
As a “believer” who has served and supported our direct selling business community as a successful executive, a DS business founder/owner, with 20 years of DSA/DSEF Board of Directors membership/advocacy … THIS DSA message further buoyed my belief and my spirits regarding the future of our treasured direct selling business model!
This latest DSA bi-monthly report made one thing clear: direct selling is no longer waiting to be understood; it’s actively shaping how it is seen, regulated and protected.
A Year of Reestablishing Our Presence
Broadcast live from Washington, D.C., the update underscored a year of intense groundwork across the executive, legislative and regulatory landscape. From meetings at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to ongoing engagement with the White House, Congress and federal agencies, DSA has expanded its visibility and credibility as a serious economic stakeholder. Direct selling’s recognition within USMCA (US/Mexico/Canada Trade Agreement) as part of the small- and medium-sized enterprise ecosystem continues to matter, particularly as cross-border trade, digital commerce and entrepreneurship remain central to the channel’s future.
Internally, DSA has spent the past year rebuilding its foundation. Supplier/Vendor relationships were redefined, costs reduced, real estate eliminated and governance strengthened with updated bylaws, standards and antitrust protocols. Legal oversight has been reinforced through global law firm Venable, signaling a renewed emphasis on rigor, transparency and readiness.
Legal oversight has been reinforced …. signaling a renewed emphasis on rigor, transparency and readiness.
Advocacy Efforts at the Federal and State Levels
Advocacy efforts are showing traction. H.R. 3495—the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Organization Act—has gained momentum, supported by a reinvigorated bipartisan Direct Selling Caucus. More than 100 direct sellers participated in Capitol Hill Direct Selling Day, reinforcing a growing belief inside DSA: policy briefs matter, but personal stories move lawmakers. Protecting independent contractor status remains the defining issue, and 2026 is shaping up as a pivotal year.
At the state level, DSA is tracking 150+ bills nationwide, actively engaging on key issues in Delaware, New Jersey, California, Texas, Florida, Virginia and beyond. Progress has been meaningful, if incremental, with improved dialogue and deeper legislative understanding of the channel’s business model and realities.
At the state level, DSA is tracking 150+ bills nationwide, actively engaging on key issues in Delaware, New Jersey, California, Texas, Florida, Virginia and beyond.
Resources and Education for Direct Selling Execs
Education and compliance also remain central. Certification programs, Direct Talks and policy-focused webinars continue to equip executives with tools to navigate social selling, communications compliance and regulatory risk, while reinforcing to policymakers that the channel takes self-regulation seriously.
Finally, DSA and DSEF are doubling down on data. New economic impact studies, at both the national and state levels, along with refreshed toolkits and research publications, are strengthening the industry’s fact-based narrative.
The takeaway? Direct selling’s influence is no longer theoretical. It’s being rebuilt—story by story, state by state, and office by office. And the work ahead will require continued engagement, participation and investment from across the channel.
With so much gratitude for the diligence and devotion of the DSA/DSEF team!
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