Attendance at Day on Capitol Hill Matters to Your Legislators

I have attended the Day on the Hill event for over ten years. After my first year, I was hooked. Not only did I surprise myself and do quite well, I did have a sense of civic pride because this is how Congress works and a very effective way to get our company’s and our industry’s positions out to key legislation.
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Editor’s Note: In today's political landscape there are so many different interest groups trying to be heard. Now more than ever, lawmakers and their staff need to hear from their constituents in person as they shape public policy. Who else can better tell people on Capitol Hill about how their policy affects your business?  
 
NATSO’s annual Day on Capitol Hill, which will be held May 6-8, provides that opportunity. NATSO members from across the country will come to Washington, D.C., to engage in personal meetings with their lawmakers about the vital importance of the truckstop industry. 

Here’s what veteran industry leader Tom Liutkus had to say about his experiences with Day on the Hill, and why you should consider attending this year’s event.

Attendance at Day on Capitol Hill Matters to Your Legislators
By guest post contributor Mike Lombardi, TravelCenters of America LLC

I have attended the Day on the Hill event for over ten years. After my first year, I was hooked. Not only did I surprise myself and do quite well, I did have a sense of civic pride because this is how Congress works and a very effective way to get our company’s and our industry’s positions out to key legislation.

I would encourage all operators to attend, even if you have never met with your representatives before.

It is impossible for lawmakers to be experts on every industry or the unintended consequences legislation may have, so they rely on us, their constituents. It is our job to inform our legislators of those consequences so they can make a more informed decision on a vote. If we don’t take the time to do that, we have no one to blame for those consequences but us. As much as we struggle with our poor perceptions of Congress, this is how business gets done.

Operators should attend because it matters to them and their businesses. 

 

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NATSO’s annual Day on Capitol Hill will be held May 6-8 in Washington, D.C. NATSO staff prepare attendees for their meetings, providing information on the issues to be discussed and helpful hints on how to conduct a successful meeting. Register for the conference and reserve your hotel room for NATSO's annual Day on Capitol Hill here.

 

Photo Credit (Paul Morse/NATSO): Mike Lombardi, Holly Alfano and John Duncan (R-Tenn.) at NATSO's Congressional Pie Reception.

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