2008 PIA Federal Legislative Summit
PIA's Premier Grassroots Event
The 2008 PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS) was a huge success. Read abolut it and see photos here. Stay tuned for information about the 2009 PIA FLS.
What is the Federal Legislative Summit?
The annual PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS) is a gathering of PIA members who come together in the nation’s capital to meet with their elected representatives. It is an opportunity to meet/reacquaint yourself with your Members of Congress and to demonstrate to them that you are willing to take time out of your busy schedule to travel to Washington, DC to discuss issues that are of importance to independent insurance agents.
What Happens at the FLS?
The 2008 PIA FLS begins on Wednesday, February 27 with an in-depth issue briefing and Q&A at the Marriott Crystal City. A special “early bird” briefing will be held Wednesday morning with a comprehensive issues briefing to be held Wednesday evening.
The following morning, participants will gather for a kick-off breakfast. ABC-TV News Senior Correspondent Claire Shipman will deliver the keynote address. Agents spend the remainder of the day on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers regarding issues that are important to professional independent insurance agents. Between visits to Members of Congress, participants will be able to unwind and report on their progress in the Debriefing Room, conveniently located on Capitol Hill.
Following the day of lobbying on the Hill, all FLS participants are invited to a reception, sponsored by The Partnership.
Additionally, the Professional Insurance Agents Political Action Committee (PIAPAC) will also hold its annual PIAPAC Fundraising Dinner later that evening. All FLS participants are encouraged to register: PIAPAC Dinner Registration Form
2008 FLS Schedule of Events (Word document)
Issues to Be Addressed at the 2008 FLS
Participants in the 2008 PIA FLS will focus on a few issues that are of the utmost importance to independent insurance agents. All registrants will receive printed position papers, talking point note cards, tips for conducting successful congressional visits and other materials to ensure their visits are successful.
PIA National's 2008 Position Papers (PDF Files)
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For more information about the issues PIA will be focusing on at the 2008 FLS, please contact Kellie Bray, PIA National’s Assistant Vice President of Federal Affairs, at either (703) 518-1364 or kelliebr@pianet.org
Where Do I Start?
If you’ve never visited your lawmakers on Capitol Hill this process may seem intimidating. Rest assured, the staff at PIA and many PIA members in your home state have done this before and will be with you every step of the way.
Register
Download and complete your 2008 FLS Registration Form and the PIAPAC Dinner Registration Form.
Hotel reservations can be made at the Crystal City Marriott located at 1999 Jefferson David Highway, Arlington, VA 22202 near Reagan National Airport (and located near the Metro subway Blue and Orange lines). To reserve your room, call 800-228-9290 or 703-413-5500. The PIA group rate is $189/night, although the group rate deadline officially passed on February 1. However, be sure to reference the PIA Group code ("paipaia"). [This is not a typo!] You can also register on-line by clicking here.
Participants are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible to ensure room availability.
State Delegations
Although logistics for each state’s delegation vary, generally delegations visit Senators together. As schedules permit, delegations visit constituent’s Representatives as a whole or in clusters, ensuring that a seasoned FLS veteran is present at each visit.
To find out who coordinates FLS activities for PIA members in your home state, please contact Kellie Bray, PIA National’s Assistant Vice President of Federal Affairs, at either (703) 518-1364 or kelliebr@pianet.org
Scheduling Congressional Visits
When scheduling congressional visits, remember that U.S. mail service to Capitol Hill is still slow in the wake of September 11th.
The best way to contact your Member of Congress is to call their Washington, D.C. office and ask to speak with the scheduler. Most likely the scheduler will ask the name of your group (PIA) and how many people will be in attendance.
Senate Contact Information
House Contact Information
To prepare for the meeting, the Member of Congress may want to know what issues you want to speak about. This web page will be updated as the FLS draws closer and the specific issues PIA would like FLS attendees to discuss are determined.
Many offices may ask you to send a written request, especially if you want to meet with the Member, so be prepared to fax a letter requesting a meeting. Be sure to include all the information mentioned above.
Please let us know when you've scheduled meetings! Click here to let us know the date/time of your Congressional visits. This will help PIA staff schedule photographers and videographers for the day. When arranging the visit, please discuss the possibility of a photographer or videographer attending the meeting. Determine in advance if this is acceptable during the meeting (candid) or as an organized group photo (before, during or after the meeting).
Confirmation Packets/Support Material
All registrants will receive an email confirming their registration shortly after their registration form is processed. Later, participants will receive a confirmation packet containing position papers, talking point note cards, tips for conducting successful congressional visits, directions and other materials.
Congressional handbooks, additional position papers and other support material will be provided at briefing sessions on Wednesday, February 27, 2007.
Contact Information
Have a question about the FLS? Please contact Kellie Bray, PIA National’s Assistant Vice President of Federal Affairs, at either (703) 518-1364 or kelliebr@pianet.org.
Have a question about the PIAPAC Fundraising Dinner? Please contact Mike Becker, PIA National’s Manager of Political Affairs, at 703-518-1365 or mikebe@pianet.org.