Travel Tips & Toasts!

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In this issue…
 • Travel Hacks
 • Toasting a New Direction for the AAPC Foundation
 • Interesting Reads
 • Don’t Miss

Travel Tips that Save You Time + Money

As campaign travel heats up heading into the 2026 cycle, three seasoned road warriors—Rebecca Pearcey (Bryson Gillette), Megan Jacobs (Pivot), and Jim Green (Basis Technologies)—shared their best tips on how to turn campaign and business travel into real perks.
 
Build on Points
 • Use transferable points: Don’t lock yourself into one airline or hotel. Cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve/Preferred and AmEx Platinum keep options open.

That’s just one insight from AAPC’s expansive webinar library, exclusive to members.
 
👉 Get access to 100+ hours of insights from campaign pros. Join now. [ [link removed] ]

Toasting a New Direction for the AAPC Foundation

It was inspiring to come together at the AAPC Foundation’s Toast on the Terrace earlier this month to celebrate our profession and look ahead. Foundation Chair Trey Richardson unveiled the Foundation’s new strategic focus: producing original, nonpartisan research to inform practitioners, policymakers, and the voting public about how emerging technologies shape political communication.
 
The first major project —The Disclaimer Effect— will examine the real-world impact of AI disclaimers’ influence on voter trust, persuasive impact, and media literacy. This work is urgent: 26 states have already passed AI disclaimer laws, yet there’s no data on whether these rules increase transparency or unintentionally erode trust. Before the 2026 election cycle, we need evidence on how these labels affect persuasion and voter confidence.
 
Learn more about The Disclaimer Effect and consider supporting this work [ [link removed] ] to help practitioners navigate new rules while protecting political free speech and democratic engagement.

Pictured Above: The AAPC Foundation's Toast on the Terrace

Deepfake Compliance: Navigating a State-by-State Patchwork

In our latest Future of Political Consulting podcast [ [link removed] ] , AAPC’s Julie Sweet talks with election-law expert Jason Torchinsky (Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky PLLC) about AAPC’s new Deepfake Law Compliance Guide — and why rules are still a “hodgepodge.”
 
“Twenty-six states, all different… it could take a few election cycles before we see clarity,” Jason explains. From disclaimer requirements to outright bans, the rules vary widely—with no clear ideological pattern. A pending Wisconsin case could shape how courts draw the line between “basic editing” and “AI,” raising enforcement questions that may influence other states.
 
The landscape is changing fast. AAPC members get exclusive access to the Deepfake Law Compliance Guide [ [link removed] ] , offering detailed state-by-state insights and compliance best practices.

Interesting Reads

• AAPC’s Julie Sweet discusses how AI is transforming campaign strategy [ [link removed]’s Julie Sweet discusses how AI is transforming campaign strategy, particularly for smaller campaigns but are voters keeping up? ] , particularly for smaller campaigns but are voters keeping up? 71% of voters say they’d view a candidate less favorably [ [link removed] ] if a speech was AI-generated (NOTUS)
 • California voters could see faster election results under new state law [ [link removed] ] (Cal Matters)
 • AI is Changing how Politics is Practiced in America [ [link removed] ] (The American Prospect)

Events & Resources

🎧 Podcast — Deepfakes, Disclaimers & Damages
Stay ahead of the changing compliance landscape with AAPC’s latest episode featuring Jason Torchinsky. → Listen on Apple Podcasts [ [link removed] ] | Listen on Spotify [ [link removed] ]
 
💻 Webinar — Deepfake Compliance Guide: What Consultants Need to Know [ [link removed] ]
(Recorded Oct 8 — available on demand for members)
Practical guidance on staying compliant with the new Deepfake Law Compliance Guide.
 
📍 California Regional Conference — Long Beach, CA | Oct 20–21 [ [link removed] ]
 • Explore how redistricting is reshaping political messaging
 • Sharpen strategies for direct mail in California
 • Connect with nonprofit, advocacy, and public affairs leaders

💻 Webinar — Political Messaging: AAPC’s Ethical Guidelines for Consultants | Oct 23 [ [link removed] ]
 • Understand the new Political Messaging Guidelines shaping campaign communication
 • Learn best practices for ethical and effective use of texting and messaging channels
 • Ensure your voter contact, fundraising, and research programs align with AAPC standards

📍 AAPC Regional Conference: Express Edition — Atlanta | Oct 30 [ [link removed] ]
 • Hear keynote insights from veteran political journalist Jim Galloway
 • Gain fresh strategy ideas for Georgia and beyond
 • Network with top consultants shaping campaign innovation.

💻 2025 Election Post-Mortem – Online | Nov 18 [ [link removed] ]
 • Hear what drove voter behavior and turnout
 • Learn which campaign tactics worked (and what didn’t)
 • Discover what these outcomes mean for strategies heading into 2026 and beyond

🌴 Pollies 26 — Amelia Island, FL | Mar 24–26, 2026
The largest gathering of political media strategists, data scientists, and campaign pros — all under one roof.
 
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