PARTICIPANTS GRADE LOBBY DAY A GREAT SUCCESS
MCAA Government Affairs Lobby Day
Washington, DC
March 25, 2010
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
March 25th will mark the third annual MCAA Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. This event will provide the courier industry with an opportunity to educate Congress about our businesses.
Ø We met with Anna Taylor, one of the staffers for Blanche Lincoln. She was aware of the bill and was very supportive toward our cause. She let us know that Blanche Lincoln understood the issue and would be supportive of Small Business and the need for I/C's.
Ø Excellent presentation & training on the political process & how things get done in Washington. Having an MCAA rep accompany each courier company's rep on their Capitol Hill visits made the process especially productive. Great job by all!
Ø This was my first year and I am hooked! I now plan to attend this event annually. When you contemplate attending this event next year, and you weigh the cost of the event, hotel, and travel, it is nominal when you consider the fact that you are able actively participate in our governmental process by voicing your position directly to the office of the legislator(s) who make the laws of our land.
Ø "The MCAA Lobby Day is a terrific opportunity to engage in our political process. The meetings are much easier than most people would anticipate and the value of the day far exceeds the cost. I would strongly encourage everyone to participate.” Lance Dearborn, Air Traffic Services
Ø This years MCAA Lobbying Day proves that making personal contact with our government representatives is important and effective. At several offices we were pleasantly surprised to find that we were remembered from prior visits, and our issues were familiar to the people we met with. This years meetings frequently resulted in our being asked for suggestions in how to make pending legislation more acceptable to our industry. Charles F. Chiusano, Avant Business Services.
Ø This was a great opportunity provided by our MCAA. They did a fantastic job of securing meetings with our representatives to allow us to educate them and voice our opinions about how their decisions affect small business, contractors and the clients we serve. Don't miss this opportunity next year. Scott Zimmerman, Phoenix Courier Ltd.
Ø "I wondered if going this year after being to last year's event was going to be worth it. The answer was an emphatic YES! The repeat meetings with certain staff personnel as well as first time meetings with new staff showed them that we are an industry that is committed to getting our views across. This one day does make an impact. The issues are real and they are game changing if allowed to go unnoticed by us. It also solidifies the workings of Congress in my mind and helps me understand the way they do "business". Errol Cvern, Select Express
Ø "I am very excited to have been apart of the same-day delivery industries Lobbying efforts in Washington DC April 25th. I came away with a true feeling that all of the representatives we meet with now have a better understanding of our plight and our industry. We had another good turn out this year but we need more support from everyone not currently involved. If you own your own business, this is a don't miss yearly event! Join us next year in helping yourself and your industry protect your rights and liberties. John T. Benko – President, MANKO Delivery Systems Inc.
Ø By participating in the MCAA Lobby provides an opportunity to let your voice be heard by your senators and representatives. Politics aside and no matter the outcome, it provides an opportunity to participate in the process of shaping our Government's policies and laws. I have enjoyed this experience the two years I attended the MCAA Lobby Day. Charlie Wolfe, Blaze Express Courier Service.
Ø "This being my second visit out of three MCAA Lobby Days, I find myself on a first name basis with Senior Policy Advisor's of my state's Congressional delegation. That alone made my visit to Washington, DC invaluable.” Abbott D. Abbott II, President, Vermont Courier Inc.
Ø This is a great venue to actively defend our industry's business model. It's good citizenship and good business to make your case to your representative in person. - Charlie Walch, 1st Choice, St. Louis
Ø "I sat down around the coffee table and discussed the Independent contractor issue face to face with Congressman Leonard Lance. I knew that my brief 20 minute discussion would make a difference if necessary. This is what we are there for and I feel I was able to do that. John V. Rutigliano, Vice President, A-1 International, Inc."