2025 Message from the President

Greetings AAPU Members -

I am honored to serve the AAPU as President for the 2026 term. I have been a member for 20 plus years and it is time for me to serve the membership who have procured a society that gets the designated honor of “My Favorite Meeting”

In the past year, being a board member, I have been fortunate to work with a great team. I want to give a heartfelt thanks to Chip Roth the 2025 president and the secretary/treasurer Brian VanderBrink for their leadership and patients with the new/old guy on the block. I’m proud of being part of the change and long history of our society and I look forward to taking the reins for the 2026 meeting in the spirit of our group and delivering to you hopefully “Your Favorite Meeting”.

For those of you who were able to attend this year’s Annual Meeting at Beaver Creek Resort, I think you’ll agree that 2025 got off to a great start. Again, great job to Chip and Katie Roth for their efforts and success on bring a little Louisiana to Colorado. I now have a better appreciation for how the sausage is made.

For the 2026 meeting planning many hours were spent trying to identify a location that would meet the needs of AAPU’s multifaceted membership and maintain the standards set by prior years. In this process we learned is that inflation is felt everywhere, and industry commitment and support is strongest if the meeting is held in the US (not a US territory). With this in mind, we did our best to strike a balance between price, location and amenities. I’m pleased to announce that the 2026 Annual Meeting will be held at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort on the beautiful Island of Maui, Hawaii.

This 15-acre property is situated on a 1.2-mile-long oceanfront beach path that connects to 5 separate beaches. The hotel is within walking distance to shops and restaurants, and golf is nearby. All guest 320 rooms have either a balcony or terrace. The resort offers 5 pools (3 ocean-facing, and one for guests 18 and over), 3 restaurants, a beachfront lounge, fitness center, spa, kids club, and breathtaking views. The pictures speak for themselves. https://www.hyatt.com/andaz/oggaw-andaz-maui-at-wailea-resort

We were able to negotiate the daily resort fee down to $0.00 (yes, you read that right – thank you Tina!) and the following are included at no charge:

· GoPro HERO 8 Camera Rental

· GoPro Experience Lab

· Guided Kayak Tours

· Daily Outrigger Canoe Excursions

· Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons

· Snorkel Equipment and Body Board Rentals

· Yoga and other Fitness Classes

· Single & Tandem Bikes/Helmets

· Ukulele Lessons

· Hula Lessons

· Coconut Husking

· Lei Making Lessons

· Walk Story Property Tour

· 45-Minute Beach Portrait Session (includes a $50 Photo Credit)

· Use of the Ohana Lounge (Early Arrival and Late Departure Facility)

The dates for the 2026 meeting are January 19th to 23rd, 2026 so mark your calendars. Base room rates are $599/night with again no resort fee (usually $50-$100/day). We’re working hard to make this a meeting to remember and hope to see you all there. Detailed booking and transportation information will follow shortly.

One of my first AAPU meetings was in Kona Hawaii in 2004 and I find it nostalgic that Nancy and I have selected Hawaii as the 2026 meeting site. Marty Koyle first introduced me to the AAPU for which I am grateful. Moving forward I’m honored to serve the membership whose wisdom, like-mindedness (mostly), professionalism and camaraderie I value, as a Board member and President for the upcoming 2026 term.

Respectfully,

Peter Furness and Nancy Kostro