As part of NetworkASA 2009: Power in Washington, DC, ALL registered attendees, including wholesalers, manufacturers and independent manufacturer representatives, will have pre-scheduled appointments to meet with their Members of Congress and staff on Thursday afternoon, October 15 to discuss five key issues that will have a tremendous impact on the industry and your business.

The Webinar features Stephanie Vance from Advocacy Associates and Pat O’Connor, ASA’s legislative counsel in Washington, who discussed the following:

• the basics of ASA’s policy issues;
• how easy it is to use ASA’s website to learn more about your legislators and their voting records on different issues; and most importantly,
• crafting your own personal story as it relates to how the key issues impact the livelihood of your business.

Also, Don Robertson from the Western Suppliers Association in San Francisco and Dennis Goode from M. Cooper Supply in Mokena, Illinois, ASA’s Government & Public Affairs Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively, spoke about their own personal experiences from having done this before, which went a long way to alleviate any apprehensions for whom these meetings will be a new experience.

Webinar & Additional Materials for Review

• Click here to replay the Webinar
• Click here to review ASA’s legislative & regulatory agenda and position papers on the five key issues, including:
  • tax credits for investment in water conservation
  • the Employee Free Choice Act (Card Check)
  • permanent repeal of LIFO
  •  Metal Theft Prevention Act
  • permanent repeal of the estate tax
• Click here for a map of key locations in Washington, DC, a copy of which also appears in the show guide that you will receive on-site.

• If you have not already done so, send an e-mail message to asa@advocacyday.com with your cell phone number, any constituency connections and the address for your primary residence.  Last-minute schedule changes during the actual event are common, and we need to be able to alert you of any as they happen.
• The dress code for these appointments is coat and tie.  Also, be sure to wear comfortable shoes that are easily removed (for security screening at the various House and Senate office buildings), and bring along a camera to take a picture or two during your appointments.
• Do not carry large daypacks, backpacks or luggage to your appointments.  Any bag larger than 14" wide x 13" high x 4" deep is prohibited.  All bags will be subject to a lengthy search and security screening.
• Your finalized appointment schedule will be available on Thursday morning, October 15th at the ASA registration desk in the J.W. Marriott.  There, you will also be provided with pre-assembled issue packets to leave behind at each of your appointments.
• Attendees will be grouped together for appointments as much as possible, especially when meeting with the same Member of Congress.  Also, ASA volunteer leaders and staff will be on-site to accompany attendees as needed and answer your questions throughout the afternoon.
• A final issues brief will be provided during the luncheon program on Thursday afternoon.  Copies of the position papers on the 5 key issues will also be provided with the materials you receive at ASA registration.
• While complimentary motor coach transportation will be available between the J.W. Marriott and Capitol Hill on Thursday afternoon, please be prepared to use a taxi, if necessary.  Many taxis in Washington will only accept cash.
• What else?  The new U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is an excellent point of interest.  Also, there are cafeterias and gift shops located on the lower levels of both the House and Senate office building complexes, and the ASA PAC Fundraiser Reception begins at 3:30pm at the Capitol Hill Club located across from the Cannon House Office Building at the corner of 1st and C streets, SE.