NAED hosts successful congressional fly-in event

Members connected with lawmakers and lobbied for the electrical distribution industry

By Libby White

NAED is calling its inaugural Congressional Fly-In a success after making the voice of the electrical industry heard by federal lawmakers. The event took place September 7-8, 2011 in Washington, D.C. More than 25 NAED members attended, meeting with nearly 100 legislators or legislative staff on Capitol Hill.

More photos from the NAED congressional fly-in available in our photo gallery

Representing 22 NAED member companies, attendees discussed some of the major topics affecting business and the electrical industry with their senators and representatives. These issues included: promoting electric vehicle infrastructure development; supporting energy tax incentives; repealing the estate tax; preserving the last in, first out (LIFO) inventory valuation; and limiting federal regulations on business.

“You can have your voice heard if you take the time to come to Washington and share it with the elected officials who represent you by simply having a conversation with them. We all have a voice and this was a great way to have mine heard,” remarked Dan Gray, president and CEO, Independent Electric Supply, Somerville, Mass.

“You at least raise their awareness of what’s of concern to us as members of the NAED,” said Clarence Martin, CEO and CFO of State Electric in Huntington, W.Va. “If we don’t get involved, then we get what we deserve. I hope we can get more people to attend in the future and get them engaged in government affairs.”

The NAED Congressional Fly-In included orientation and advocacy training, followed by a welcome reception and dinner on September 7. A breakfast featuring keynote speaker Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was held the next day. Senator Paul spoke to the crowd about how government regulations are burdening businesses across the nation, as well as his proposed legislation to fight that cause, the “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Greater Scrutiny” Act or “REINS” Act. Following the breakfast, NAED members headed to Capitol Hill for constituent coffees and a series of meetings with their senators and representatives or their offices throughout the day.

“The staffers were truly engaged and interested in the issues we were presenting to them and had a lot of detailed questions for us,” said Denise Keating, president of DATAgility, Inc., Chicago. “When we are doing business it’s all about relationships and I think this was a great opportunity to create those relationships that we need in Washington, D.C.”

Stephanie Vance of Advocacy Associates served as NAED’s consultant on this project. Vance’s group scheduled the meetings for NAED members and was able to set up 100 percent of the meetings requested with either lawmakers or staff. Fly-in participants received training on what their meetings would be like and how to make the “ask” to get results and keep in contact with their elected officials.

Before the event, attendees were provided with preparatory resources on the industry’s key issues and an advocacy training webinar. The idea being to arm fly-in participants with everything they need to have productive meetings on Capitol Hill.

“NAED did an excellent job of preparing us with the information about the bills and who’s supporting them and they we were supporting those bills and why it was significant,” explained Keating. “If anyone was nervous about presenting issues, don’t be. NAED makes sure you have the necessary information in order to have effective meetings.”

The goal now is for these attendees to keep progressing on the connections they made with their legislators and offices. Many NAED members will pursue contacting the district or state offices, and invite their senator or representative to visit their companies. Some even this as a chance to better educate their legislators about the association and the electrical distribution industry it represents.

“It was a great experience for me to come down here and learn how things are done,” said Gray. “I think that in my district and areas where my businesses are, I can maybe move things forward a little bit because I now have contacts with people and if I have issues, I know who I can pick up the phone and call.”

“The congressmen and senators almost invited themselves and asked us to let them know the next time we were going to have a customer event because they would love to attend,” noted Jack Henderson, executive vice president of Hunzicker Brothers in Oklahoma City. “What a great opportunity that will be to show them what it is that we do and what we contribute to the economy and the job market.”

For information about becoming involved in NAED Government Affairs, e-mail governmentaffairs@naed.org or call 888-791-2512. Learn more about NAED’s legislative issue agenda by visiting naed.org/TellCongress.