Legislative Conference & Day on the Hill
July 24-26, 2011
TCIA invites all members to gather in Washington, D.C., July 24-26, for the 2011 Legislative Conference and Day on the Hill. The event provides an opportunity to visit with your congressional representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss issues that affect the industry. Attendees will receive an issues briefing before their Hill visits, and first-time participants receive special attention and assistance from veterans of the event. TCIA has once again teamed with The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) as hosts.
Depending on your schedule, you can plan to arrive either Sunday or Monday. See below for a description of the conference’s events.
See the schedule below before making your travel arrangements! You have two choices for arrival times and days:
- Arrive Sunday, July 24, in time for the education sessions and opening reception.
1:30 p.m.
We'll have two training sessions for first-time lobbyists or those who want to hone their skills. During Advocacy Communication, learn the basics about how to confront issues in your state or community. This training will walk you through the process of dealing with elected officials and building a grassroots coalition to overcome local issues. You will also learn how to use local media to strategically convey your message through letters to the editor and media interviews.
3:15 p.m.
During How to Lobby on Capitol Hill, we'll explain what to say and do - and what not to say and do - to help put you at ease during your Capitol Hill appointments. Gain insight on exactly what you can expect and how to apply your sales experience to selling the benefits of the industry and your business to your elected members of Congress and their staff.
6:30 p.m.
Opening Reception overlooking the Potomac River
- Arrive Monday, July 25, in time for the keynote speaker, issue briefings and dinner.
3:00 p.m.
Keynote speaker Jonathan Karl, Senior Congressional Correspondent for ABC News, will give attendees a look at current affairs and politics. He will discuss what is happening in the nation's capital.
4:00 p.m.
Briefings begin on key industry issues that will prepare and inform you on the topics you will be taking to your Representatives and Senators in the morning.
7:00 p.m.
Reception and Dinner
On Tuesday, we will start the day at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast on the Hill, then fan out to visit with our legislators. You will be part of a larger group on Tuesday for your visits - unless you want to detour on your own to stop in on your representative.
The landscape in Washington has changed dramatically since our last Legislative Conference in 2009. TCIA has been hard at work to make the best case for commercial arboriculture and to create a regulatory and political environment that benefits the green industry. Issues like safety regulations, chemical use, crane best practices, taxes, workforce issues and more affect your business every day. Now, we need you to add your voice as a business owner. We can't be effective without your support.
Circle the dates and make plans to join us in Washington. If you have any questions or require more information, please call Mark Garvin at 1-800-733-2622 or e-mail garvin@tcia.org.
Why we're in Washington
TCIA, through its membership, is organized as a trade association. What does that mean specifically, and how is TCIA different from other groups in the green industry? A trade association is an organization founded and funded by businesses.
TCIA's mission is to "advance tree care businesses". One of the primary ways to protect and advance the industry is through attempts to influence public policy in a direction favorable to our members. TCIA does this with contributions to the campaigns of political candidates through the Voice for Trees political action committee, by supporting or opposing particular legislation, and by working to influence the activities of regulatory bodies such as OSHA.
There are almost 8,000 national trade associations in the United States, but only one represents the interests of the tree care industry.
No one knows tree care better than the people who run businesses every day, and TCIA - through its dedicated members - will continue to educate Washington on the unique issues and challenges the industry faces.
If you would like learn more about how you can take a more active role in your industry's government relations efforts, please contact Mark Garvin at garvin@tcia.org or by calling (603) 314-5380.
 
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