Each year, PPAI hosts its Legislative Education and Action Day event in Washington. This is an important chance for members to take the promotional products industry’s concerns to the halls of Congress and build relationships with legislators and key staffers on Capitol Hill.
But advocacy is not a once-a-year effort. It’s critical that we stay in touch and continue those conversations.
The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 requires Congress to adjourn no later than July 31 of each year unless there is a declared war or other emergency. Members of Congress traditionally spend this August recess back home meeting with constituents, and it’s a great time to advocate for the promo industry in your own backyard.
Federal Focus
Federal legislation and regulation affects the industry as a whole, and PPAI focuses its efforts at the national level. Adverse bills like the SWAG Act, as well as tax rates and labor rules, all have an impact across the country.
Whether you reach out to your senators and representative on your own or through group efforts organized by your regional promo association, now is the time to build on the connections made during LEAD by focusing on local congressional offices.
You can look up contact information for any member of Congress using the congressional directories:
Click on the member’s name to load their website and look for a “Contact” tab or button at the top or bottom of the page. Formats vary, but these pages should provide addresses and phone numbers for all of their offices, as well as contact forms and sometimes even an online scheduling request form.
Request A Meeting Or Host A Tour
You can request meetings at local congressional offices, or better yet, invite your lawmakers to a regional association event or your manufacturing or decorating facilities for a tour and photo opportunity. Note: Requests for August recess meetings should be made by mid-June at the latest.
You should prepare to briefly introduce yourself and your business in these meetings, and then share the scope and economic impact of the promotional products industry in your state – how many jobs, how many small businesses, how much revenue, etc. the industry contributes to your state’s economy. (This information can be found on PPAI’s Promo By The Numbers page.)
But the most successful advocacy efforts center on a clear story or message that includes a specific request for action by the legislator. To address a specific issue or bill, be sure you are prepared to share:
- Specifics on how the issue is affecting the industry/your business.
- Potential adverse effects if the issue is not addressed/the bill passes and is signed into law.
- The name and number of the bill (if applicable).
For August recess messaging, we recommend focusing on:
- The impact tariffs and the ongoing uncertainty are having on your business and our industry as a whole. (Check out these recent findings from PPAI Research.)
- Support for the Modern Worker Empowerment Act to clarify independent contractor rules. (Note: This bill only exists in the House so far.)
- Support for renewal of the African Growth & Opportunity Act trade program, which expires at the end of September. (Duties on these goods could go from 0 to 30% or more.)
And no promo industry advocacy would be complete without sharing actual promo products – but it’s important to be aware of and comply with congressional ethics rules, which apply to staff as well as elected officials. A good rule of thumb is that any gifts must fall under $20 retail value (including decoration).
Be Sure To Follow Up
These visits are meant to build relationships, so follow-up is critical. If you manage to schedule a factory visit or office meeting with your member of Congress, be sure to take photos and post one with your thanks on your website and social media accounts. (Tag PPAI, too!)
Also share the photo and your appreciation directly with the legislator’s office via email, along with any additional information they may have requested during the visit. A written thank-you note sent by mail is also recommended.
While the August recess is a great opportunity to get face time with your members of Congress, it’s also important that regional associations and individual members keep an eye out for legislation and regulation at the state level. Advocacy with your state legislators using these same strategies can build important relationships and awareness of the impact of promo on local, state and larger economies.
Please contact Rachel Zoch, PPAI’s public affairs manager, at rachelz@ppai.org if you have any questions or to request sample call scripts, constituent letters or meeting requests.
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