Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Calling on Congress For our Industry - They work for us, and are there to listen

 Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC, on behalf of my Industry, to visit with our Congressional Representatives and Senators.  Along with near 80 industry practitioners, we met with US Senators, Representatives and their staffs, to talk about issues and discussions that are germane to our industry, and our livelihoods.

Representative Adam Smith (WA 8th) along with our GRAC Chair, Tom Goos and I shared some time on my Birthday in DC in 2015



This is the 4th year, I've been asked to make the trip.  Each year, it reconfirms that it's the right thing to do, for our Association, for my small business, and for the thousands of people that call our promotional marketing industry their home.

We had 5 of our NWPMA (Northwest Promotional Marketing Assn) members along to meet with Congress members from the NorthWest states, WA, OR, ID, AK, MT and HI.

Besides creating the yard signs, bumper stickers and buttons that help them get elected, the more than 20,000 companies and 500,000 people, deliver products and solutions for companies and campaigns of all kinds.

Most of our2015 L.E,A.D.ers in DC



Nearly 80 of us booked over 250 meetings to introduce and re-introduce our industry to congress.  Some of the issues that we brought forward, are the continuing need to provide Advertising as deductible expenses, the importance of the independent contractors to industries like ours, and the power of promotional products. Weather it's encouraging new mothers to lay their newborns on their backs to prevent SIDS, or providing branded, safe means to park your phone in the car, Promotional Products Work! to build safety and wellness initiatives, as well as many other support programs for business and industry.

A Great Example of how a Promotional "Onesie" was used for new moms to prevent SIDS for 25,000 new Mothers in Ohio.





This experience, helping to "Be our Voice" to members of Congress was verified even more last year, when, I was in DC, and happened to run into members of the Alzheimer's Association. This photo below, is a living example, of how our industry helps just about every other industry in their efforts and in this case, philanthropy and funding.

One of the other highlights of my meetings was to meet with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represents Eastern Washington. I had recently visited with an number of our Industry Members in Spokane, WA., and was able to share some of their concerns with her and her team.

An opportunity to meet with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA 5) and talk about Eastern Washington needs.



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