The Meat Institute is a national trade association that represents companies that process 95 percent of red meat and 70 percent of turkey in the US and their suppliers throughout America. Headquartered in metropolitan Washington, DC, the Meat Institute keeps its fingers on the pulse of legislation, regulation and media activity that impacts the meat and poultry industry and provides rapid updates and analyses to its members to help them stay informed. In addition, the Meat Institute conducts scientific research through its Foundation designed to help meat and poultry companies improve their plants and their products. The Institute's many meetings and educational seminars also provide excellent networking and information-sharing opportunities for members of the industry. The Meat Institute is governed by elected leaders and staffed by 25 professionals. The Meat Institute's elected leaders include three officers plus the President and CEO, as well as a 107-person Board of Directors and a 40-person Executive Board. Representatives on both of these bodies include leaders in both the supplier and packer/processor segments of the industry. The Meat Institute has also created operating groups, called policy committees and advisory committees, within its membership to allow member companies to recommend Meat Institute policies in their primary areas of interest. Policy committees focus on broad functional and operational areas and develop policy recommendations for specific issues within these areas. Advisory committees provide specialized advice to policy committees.