On March 6-7, the roofing industry will come together as never before during NRCA's inaugural Roofing Day in D.C. 2018. The event provides an opportunity for the industry's collective voice to be delivered to members of Congress and their staffs so they understand the roofing industry's position on critical government policy issues. All NRCA members and other industry professionals are urged to participate in this transformational event.
Vision to reality
Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 is the fulfillment of NRCA CEO Reid Ribble's vision of how the roofing industry can take its government relations efforts to the next level and enhance the industry's image in Washington, D.C. Previously, NRCA leaders have visited senators and representatives on Capitol Hill, but Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 provides all contractors, manufacturers, distributors, consultants, service providers and other industry professionals the opportunity to meet with senators and representatives for the first time.
Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 is a core component of Ribble's One Voice initiative, an NRCA campaign launched in 2017 to unite the roofing industry to speak with one voice about matters critical to the industry's continued success. NRCA believes the roofing industry has matured to the point where the views and concerns of contractors, manufacturers, distributors, architects, consultants and others have aligned, providing a clear consensus to move the industry forward together.
NRCA has been reaching out to manufacturers, distributors, architects, consultants and other industry professionals to encourage them to become more engaged with NRCA. Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 will enable the roofing industry to come together with "one voice" to address government policy issues affecting roofing industry employers and workers.
A focused agenda
Hotel rooms and event space have been secured at the Marriott Marquis and Renaissance hotels in downtown Washington, D.C. Event participants will travel to Washington, D.C., Tuesday, March 6. A reception featuring Mick Mulvaney, a former South Carolina congressman and President Trump's director of the Office of Management and Budget, will be held that evening at the Marriott Marquis. Mulvaney will provide an update about Trump administration policies of interest to the roofing industry. Following the reception, participants will have an open evening.
On Wednesday, March 7, attendees will gather for a breakfast program featuring Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and a close NRCA ally. Sen. Johnson will provide an overview of the upcoming congressional agenda and provide insights regarding current political developments. Immediately following breakfast, participants will receive a one-hour advocacy training session, including how to most effectively convey the roofing industry's message during meetings with senators and representatives.
Following the advocacy training session, participants will take a short bus ride to Capitol Hill. Although details regarding the specific issues to be discussed are subject to change depending on developments in Congress, the message is expected to focus on legislation to reduce burdensome regulations and provide solutions to workforce development needs.
Upon arrival on Capitol Hill, attendees will participate in three to five meetings with senators and representatives to convey the industry's message. Participants' meetings will be scheduled by Prime Advocacy, a Washington, D.C.-based firm specializing in providing logistical services for large advocacy events. Each participant will receive his or her personalized schedule before the meetings. The event concludes after the congressional meetings.
Speak out
NRCA strongly encourages all industry professionals to participate in Roofing Day in D.C. 2018. The event is open to all; you do not have to be an NRCA member to participate. The goal is to bring 1,000 or more roofing professionals from throughout the U.S. to Capitol Hill to ensure the industry's collective voice is heard.
The registration rate is $49 per person, which includes the evening reception, breakfast and advocacy training session, transportation from the hotel to Capitol Hill and congressional meeting scheduling for each participant. Additionally, upon arrival in Washington, D.C., participants will receive advocacy materials conveying the unified roofing industry's message regarding key policy issues.
Additional information about Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 and registration instructions are available by clicking here. The guaranteed rate for hotel rooms expires Feb. 13; please register as soon as possible.
NRCA also urges interested roofing industry leaders to be team captains to help recruit participants from their states for the event. Team captains who recruit 10 participants to register and attend the event will receive one free hotel night and will be recognized during the breakfast program March 7. Additional information about being a team captain is available by clicking here.
As a roofing industry professional, you won't want to miss being a part of this groundbreaking event. Your participation is vital to making Roofing Day in D.C. 2018 a transformational success. On behalf of NRCA's leadership and staff, we look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C., next month!
Duane L. Musser is NRCA's vice president of government relations.
This column is part of Rules + Regs. Click here to read additional stories from this section.
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