ST. LOUIS, MO — The Travelers Protective Association (TPA) will host its Annual National Convention June 7–11, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky, where members will gather not only for business meetings and educational sessions, but also to raise funds for the organization’s longstanding hearing health philanthropy efforts.
A central focus of the event is the TPA Hearing Trust, which provides financial assistance to individuals in need of hearing-related services and devices. Since its founding in 1975, the Trust has awarded more than $2 million in grants to support people with hearing loss and the organizations that serve them.
The annual convention serves as a major fundraising opportunity for the Hearing Trust through charitable donations, auctions, presentations, and member-led initiatives. Funds raised help support future grants and hearing-related programs across the country.
More than 48 million Americans live with some degree of hearing loss, according to TPA, and many continue to face barriers in accessing hearing healthcare, technology, and communication support services.
“The Annual Convention is a powerful reminder of what makes TPA unique. It’s where our history, mission and members come together to shape the future while making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. We raise money for the TPA Hearing Trust and other philanthropic needs in our organization as well as generate membership benefit program ideas and plan upcoming events throughout the country.”
–Robert Schapp, Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers Protective Association
During the convention, attendees will learn more about partnerships supported through the Hearing Trust, including collaborations with the Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) and St. Joseph Hearing + Speech, both located in Missouri.
TPA previously awarded funding to CID to support audiological services and provided grants to St. Joseph Hearing + Speech to expand access to listening and spoken language services through its iHear Teletherapy program. Additional support has helped expand parent services for families navigating school transitions.
Founded in 1890, TPA has evolved from an organization originally created to protect traveling salesmen into a national fraternal benefit society that combines insurance benefits with community service and charitable giving. Today, hearing health remains one of its most visible philanthropic priorities through the TPA Hearing Trust.
The 2026 convention, themed “Off to the Races,” will bring together more than 80 members from across the United States for educational sessions, networking opportunities, community service initiatives, and fundraising activities supporting hearing-related causes.
For more information about the TPA Hearing Trust and the organization’s annual convention, visit https://www.tpahq.org/news-events/annual-convention/.
About Travelers Protective Association
Founded in 1890, The Travelers Protective Association of America (TPA) is a nonprofit fraternal benefit society that provides insurance and member benefits while supporting charitable initiatives across the United States. Through the TPA Hearing Trust, the organization has awarded more than $2 million to help individuals with hearing loss access hearing-related services, technology, and support programs.
Source: TPA
