PIA/GATF to host printers at Capitol Hill Legislative Conference
Printers invited to attend annual conference scheduled for June 6
Make plans to join your peers from across the nation as the printing and graphics communications industry takes its story and policy agenda directly to Washington, D.C. Deliver our industry’s message first-hand by sharing your personal business perspective directly with legislators and help raise print’s visibility with a critical audience, members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

The government affairs department of Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation is putting the finishing touches on the June 6 Legislative Conference.

“This is an opportunity for printers to speak directly with their elected officials in Congress,” said Jim Tepper, president of Printing Industries of New England, who has participated in several conferences.

“It’s important that our voices be heard,” said the president of the largest trade association to serve printing and graphic communications companies across New England. “Last year we had an opportunity to meet directly with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and thank her for her support of postal reform legislation as chairwoman of the Government Affairs Committee.

“We were accompanied by senior executives from one of Maine’s largest printing companies, so the meeting couldn’t have worked out better,” Tepper said. “Sen. Collins seemed pleased to hear our concerns about postal increases, the negative impact those increases have on our industry, and why reform is so necessary.”
Tepper and three PINE members also met with Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) and staff members of several other elected representatives from New England’s Congressional delegation.

In past years, PINE staff and executives from member companies have met with Rep. James McGovern (D-MA); Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA); Sen. Jim Jefford (I-VT) and others.

“I would encourage anyone who is interested in attending the two-day conference to contact PINE for more details. Business owners and senior executives may not realize it, but they carry a lot of influence with elected officials,” Tepper said. “These elected officials understand that business owners employ voters in their districts. When we come knocking, they listen.”

The legislative conference agenda includes policy briefings on numerous issues identified through national surveys and staff work within PIA/GATF’s government affairs department. The conference also includes briefings and visits by U.S. senators and representatives, White House officials and top Congressional staff on issues of interest to our industry. There a panel discussion on what print’s stakeholders – clients, vendors and suppliers — aim for on Capitol Hill and how effective coalitions achieve allied success. Time is devoted to grassroots and political affairs workshop to help printers better engage in advocacy at home.

Time is devoted to meetings scheduled with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. The day concludes with an evening reception.

Tony Blankley and Eleanor Clift, co-hosts of The McLaughlin Group will be the keynote speakers. Blankley and Clift will present a unique “From the Right” and “From the Left” political perspective and take audience questions.

Tickets are required for the evening event. Proceeds benefit PrintPAC, the PIA/GATF political action committee, and a separate Political EducationFund.)

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill, a short walk from all Congressional office buildings. Hotel accommodations should be made several weeks in advance.

Anyone interested in attending the legislative conference can read more information at the PIA/GATF Web site, www.gain.net, request more information by sending an email to the PIA/GATF government affairs staff at govtaffairs@piagatf.org, or contact PINE at 508-804-4101.