Mike Goscinski Named a 2026 Leading Association Lobbyist

HFA Chief of Staff Mike Goscinski has been recognized as a 2026 Leading Association Lobbyist as part of the Salute to Association Excellence, a prestigious awards program presented by Association TRENDS and CEO Update. Goscinski was one of five honorees recognized at an awards ceremony on March 5 in Washington, DC.

The Salute to Association Excellence has spotlighted outstanding association professionals for more than 40 years. Honorees are selected by an independent committee based on exceptional leadership and meaningful contributions that advance the association community nationwide.

In his role as HFA chief of staff, Goscinski drives HFA’s efforts to protect and promote the global fitness industry through strategic policy engagement. A veteran of the Beltway before he joined HFA, Goscinski holds the distinction of being the health and fitness industry’s first registered federal lobbyist. He has been instrumental in building a first-of-its-kind advocacy program for the industry—one built upon direct lobbying, grassroots activation, and sustained political engagement at both the federal and state levels, in addition to his work in global advocacy.

Beyond his work at HFA, Goscinski serves on the board of directors of the Physical Activity Alliance (PAA), a national coalition dedicated to advancing policies that make physical activity a cornerstone of health and well-being. He also chairs PAA’s Policy Committee, where he leads efforts to integrate physical activity into healthcare delivery and preventive health frameworks.

Goscinski joined HFA in December 2022 following a tenure in government affairs at the National Automatic Merchandising Association. He brings more than a decade of Washington, DC, advocacy experience spanning food, beverage, and fitness policy.

In reflecting on the honor, Goscinski credited the broader HFA team for making effective advocacy possible. Always stressing the importance of teamwork, Goscinski accepted the award surrounded by HFA’s DC-based staff.

“Strong advocacy is never the work of one person,” he said. “Great association advocacy isn’t just about shoe-leather lobbying. It’s about the entire ecosystem that makes that advocacy credible and effective—research and data that ground our positions in evidence, strategic communications that translate policy into clear messages, member engagement that ensures we represent the real needs of the businesses and professionals we serve, and team coordination that brings it all together.”

Goscinski’s recognition as a Leading Association Lobbyist underscores HFA’s growing influence in making fitness a central pillar of the preventive health agenda around the world.