It’s a dramatic shift for the trade association that has represented the consumer-magazine industry since its founding in 1919 – in the media capital of New York City.

The move to Washington will be effective as of January, a spokesperson said by email.

“It’s part of a long-range strategic plan,” Tom Harty, the CEO of publishing giant Meredith Corp. who also is chairman of the MPA, told the New York Post. “We’re doubling down on our government affairs. We need to be putting more resources against that.”

The MPA’s lobbying and advocacy efforts include stances on advertising regulations, U.S. postal operations, taxes, consumer privacy and protections of intellectual property and environmental policies, according to its websites.

The group represents about 150 members, including Hearst Magazines, Condé Nast, Meredith, Bonnier Corp.

“During this transitional period, the organization, along with the board, will be evaluating other existing services to determine how to best manage them moving forward,” the MPA spokesperson said. “MPA’s mission to champion the nation’s magazine media publishers and act as a unified voice across the industry will stay the same.”

Brigitte Schmidt Gwyn, the MPA’s executive vice president of government affairs, will be the new leader of the group. She joined the MPA in January after working as a managing director of government affairs at consulting firm Accenture. Before that, she was vice president, global government relations at packaged-foods maker Kellogg Co.

At the end of the year, Linda Thomas Brooks will leave her post as the association’s executive director, which she has held since 2016. The group will cut 10 full-time and two part-time workers in New York.

On Thursday, The MPA board unanimously approved of the plan while meeting in New York.