It's never been more important for our industry to speak with one voice and champion the value of local news. Combining the experience and talents of the Inland Press Association and the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association will help ensure that voice remains loud and clear.

We will continue to serve the mission and constituents of these two longstanding organizations as we plot a new course for the traditional newspaper business. Not only will we continue to provide the networking and training opportunities both organizations are known for, we will tackle many of the biggest issues facing our members.

We will maintain a keen focus on the power and importance of local journalism and the myriad ways we serve our unique communities. We don't write and report for the pundits in Washington, D.C.; we write and report for the people who live and work in the areas we serve. It will become increasingly important for us to widely share that message.

Here is what we all know ...

Carl Esposito, publisher of The Daily Times in Maryville, Tenn., and regional president of Adams Publishing Group for Tennessee, North Carolina and Southern Virginia, has been named to the SNPA Board of Directors.

Esposito, who will serve in an at-large position on the board, said: "I appreciate the opportunity to join such an accomplished group and look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of SNPA."

Kevin Denny, vice president and general manager of Advance Central Services Southeast, has been named to the SNPA Board of Directors.

He succeeds Ricky R. Mathews, who stepped down from the board after retiring as president and publisher of The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, La.

The Colorado Press Association will join the Inland Press Association and Southern Newspaper Publishers Association as a co-sponsor of the 2017 Annual Meeting, to be held September 10-12 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.