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FLORAL EDITORS AND BLOGGERS,
Support the industry's efforts on Capitol Hill by sharing this news about Congressional Action Days.
Have a question or need some help? Just ask. Contact Shelley Estersohn 800-336-4743 communications@safnow.org
SAF Calls on Floral Industry for Strong Vocal Presence
Former Oregon Farmer, Rep. Kurt Schrader Brings View from Hill to CAD
Mount Vernon Tour Brings History to Life at CAD
SAFPAC Dinner Speaker Knows Congress "Inside Out"
CAD Kickoff Features Two-Party Views on Hot Button Election Issues
Lower Hotel Rates, Added Convenience at Congressional Action Days
CAD 2012 IMAGE GALLERY (Looking for something specific? Contact Sheila Santiago, ssantiago@safnow.org, 800-336-4743)
SAF Calls on Floral Industry for Strong, Vocal Presence
in Washington, D.C. March 19-20
Lobbying works, so turn up the volume before the 2012 elections,
says SAF Government Relations Chairman David Mitchell
If you think an individual can't make a difference in Washington, think again. As proof, retailer David Mitchell, AAF, will point to what happened last year shortly after industry members visited legislators during SAF Congressional Action Days (CAD).
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Government Relations Chair David Mitchell, AAF, explains an information sheet to 2011 Congressional Action Days participants. CAD attendees are well prepared before their legislative appointments. During the first day of the conference they are briefed on the issues, learn how to talk about them in a personal context and practice presentation strategies. The following day, they make their rounds on Capitol Hill as teams, armed with talking points and handouts |
"If you're happy that you don't have to fill out a ton of additional 1099s right now – one for every vendor you paid $600 to last year – thank the SAF members who went to CAD," said the owner of Mitchell's Flowers in Orland Park, Ill. "It was one of the major issues we took to Capitol Hill last March." Congress repealed the requirement less than a month later.
"Participating in CAD is one of the most effective ways to protect your business interests in Washington," said Mitchell, who is chair of SAF's government relations committee.
Just how effective is it?
CAD participants also helped bring about today's lower estate tax rates by lobbying on the issue for years and will continue to press for permanent reform, he said. SAF members also have spent considerable time working for passage of a bipartisan immigration reform bill, said Mitchell: "We're not giving up until floral business owners can find the labor they need."
Having a strong presence on Capitol Hill is particularly important during an election year, he said: "It's hard enough to be heard over all the other noise that competes for a legislator's attention, and elections naturally increase the volume considerably."
If you've never attended CAD, now's the time to give it a try, Mitchell urged. "We need you, and this is something everyone should experience."
He offered are a few thoughts for first-timers to consider.
- You don't have to be a "lobbyist" to lobby. As a matter of fact, members of Congress appreciate and pay attention to the views of everyday citizens — especially when they travel to the nation's capitol to share them.
- You will know what to say, and how to say it. CAD participants are briefed on the issues, learn how to talk about them in terms of their own business needs, and head to Capitol Hill as teams armed with talking points and handouts.
- You really can make a difference. Lower estate taxes and last year's repeal of burdensome 1099 reporting requirements are just two examples of changes CAD participants helped bring about.
- This could be the start of a beautiful friendship. While in Washington, you can invite your legislators to pay a return visit when they're in town. They'll enjoy the chance to see your business and meet your employees, especially during an election year. That gives you another chance to help them understand your business and bring the impact of their voting decisions home. It can also position you as someone your legislator can turn to for perspective on issues that impact your business.
SAF Congressional Action Days takes place March 19-20 in Washington. SAF asks individuals to register as early as possible so that the association can schedule their legislative appointments.
"March may seem like a long way away, but schedules on Capitol Hill start filling up in January," Mitchell said.
For more Congressional Action Days information, visit http://safnow.org/congressional-action-days.
Direct event questions to either Laura Weaver, lweaver@safnow.org, or Brian Gamberini, bgamberini@safnow.org at 800-336-4743.
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Congressman Kurt Schrader will offer insight and encouragement to CAD attendees during the Grassroots Breakfast. |
Former Oregon Farmer, Rep. Kurt Schrader
Brings View From Hill to CAD
Congressman will talk about importance of constutent visits to Washington
A farmer, veterinarian and small business owner now serving his second term in Congress is bringing advice and encouragement to SAF's 32nd Annual Congressional Action Days (CAD) participants before they head up to Capitol Hill on March 20.
At Tuesday's Grassroots Breakfast, Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-5-Ore.) will take the floor to tell attendees how constituents influence legislative decisions and what to expect during their appointments. He'll likely share some practical dos and don'ts as well (DO leave time for security checks; DON'T underestimate the importance of staff).
Before being elected to Congress, Rep. Schrader ran a veterinary business and family farm for more than 30 years. He now applies that knowledge as a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, House Committee on Small Business and as the ranking member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Finance and Tax. Schrader also chairs the Blue Dog's Taskforce on Fiscal Responsibility and the New Democrat Coalition's Health Care Reform Taskforce.
CAD attendees will tuck the congressman's thoughts into heads already filled with strategies and talking points gathered at briefings and training sessions the day before. They'll know what to say about the issues and be ready with personal stories designed to bring the industry's concerns to life for legislators.
If you've never attended CAD, this is the year to give it a try. You'll help increase the floral industry's visibility and make sure its voice is heard over the din and distractions of the 2012 elections.
SAF's Congressional Action Days takes place March 19-20 in Washington, D.C. For details and to register, go to safnow.org/congressional-action-days or download a PDF of the conference brochure.
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CAD attendees can see what life was like during the early years of our nation when they tour George Washington's home. (Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies Association) |
Mount Vernon Tour Brings History to Life
at SAF's Congressional Action Days
George Washington estate is top popular attraction for D.C. visitors
Before making history talking to legislators on Capitol Hillabout the floral industry's needs, Society of American Florist (SAF) members will spend an afternoon drinking it in during SAF's Congressional Action Days (CAD), March 19-20 in Washington, D.C.
After learning about the issues and getting lobbying tips, they'll be off to visit Mount Vernon, George Washington's magnificent estate on the Potomac River.
The lovingly maintained property — just a few miles down the road from the new CAD headquarters hotel in Arlington — is one of the most popular attractions in the Washington area. The mansion contains furnishings from the period and many items owned by the Washington family.
The estate offers several "living history" presentations and also features restored gardens as well as numerous outbuildings including the greenhouse, slaves quarters and a blacksmith shop.
The tour is included in the CAD registration fee.
For details and to register now, visit http://safnow.org/congressional-action-days.
Renowned congressional scholar Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute will speak at the SAFPAC Dinner . |
SAFPAC Dinner Speaker Knows "Congress Inside Out"
Supporters of SAF's political action committee
will hear from top congressional scholar during CAD
Norman Ornstein knows more about Congress than most of its members. He'll be sharing some of that insight during Congressional Action Days this spring as the guest speaker for the SAFPAC Dinner on Monday, March 19.
"If you really want to understand how Congress functions and how to help issues move forward, you don't want to miss his presentation," said SAF COO Drew Gruenburg.
Ornstein is a Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, an election analyst for CBS News and the author of the weekly column "Congress Inside Out" for Roll Call newspaper. He is also the author of numerous books on Congress and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, among other major publications. Industry members who watch ABC News' Nightline, PBS' Charlie Rose or The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will recognize him as a frequent guest.
Individuals who have contributed $150 or more to the SAF Political Action Committee are invited to the SAFPAC Dinner. For more information about SAFPAC or Congressional Action Days contact Brian Gamberini, bgamberini@safnow.org.
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Two top party insiders, Democrat Donna Brazile (left) and Republican Dana Perino (right), go head-to-head on election issues during Congressional Action Days |
CAD Kickoff Features Two-Party Views
on Hot Button Election Issues
Veteran democratic political strategist Donna Brazile and former Bush White House
Press Secretary Dana Perino headline Point/Counterpoint session.
Attendees at SAF Congressional Action Days will get a double helping of election-year politics. Veteran Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile and former Bush White House press secretary Dana Perino headline the March 19-20 event's Kick-Off breakfast, pairing up to offer perspectives from opposite sides of the aisle during the program Point/Counterpoint: Hot Button Issues of Election 2012.
"Hearing from speakers with inside knowledge of Washington politics is a highlight of Congressional Action Days," said SAF Government Relations Chair David Mitchell, AAF, owner of Mitchell's Flowers in Orland Park, Ill. "The presidential campaigns will just be heating up in March, and I think the Brazile/Perino conversation should be a perfect opening as our lobbying effort gets underway."
Brazile worked on every presidential campaign from 1976 through 2000, when she served as campaign manager for former Vice President Al Gore. Today she is vice chair of voter registration and participation for the Democratic National Committee. As White House press secretary from 2007 through 2009, Perino was one of the most highly regarded members of President Bush's senior staff. She is now a Fox News contributor and co-host of The Five, the channel's daily political news program.
The 32nd Annual SAF Congressional Action Days takes place March 19-20 in Washington, D.C. For details visit http://safnow.org/congressional-action-days.
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| California delegates with Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) during Congressional Action Days 2011. SAF members participated in nearly 200 congressional meetings while they were in Washington. |
Lower Hotel Rates, Added Convenience at Congressional Action Days 2012
When Congressional Action Days (CAD) attendees make their presence felt on Capitol Hill this spring, they'll spend less dough to do it. A new headquarters hotel in Crystal City, Va., just minutes away from downtown Washington, D.C., has room rates nearly 25 percent lower than last year and is surrounded by restaurants, shops and other amenities.
The new home base for the March 19-20 event is the Crystal Gateway Marriott. "We made the change at members' request, to make CAD more affordable," said David Mitchell, AAF, from Mitchell's Flowers in Orland Park, Ill., and chairman of SAF's Government Relations Committee.
As always, participants will spend the first day getting an inside scoop on Washington politics, boning up on the issues and practicing lobbying strategies. The following morning, they board buses for a fast trip to Capitol Hill and spend the day helping legislators understand what's important to their businesses.
Long-time CAD veterans may remember meeting in Crystal City, but they're not going to recognize it, said Laura Weaver, SAF's conventions and meetings director.
"There are lots of great restaurants and stores, a huge upscale shopping mall and the Metro into D.C. is right outside the door." It's also a quick Metro ride to historic Alexandria, Va., as well as Reagan National Airport.
SAF members come to Congressional Action Days to make a difference for their businesses and the floral industry, but those who want to take an extra day or so to see the sites will have a perfectly located "home" awaiting them each night.