Every year in May, ERA hosts the Government Affairs Fly-In in Washington, D.C., to help marketers learn about the current political and regulatory landscape facing the industry. It’s an opportunity to take a first-hand role in advocacy, meet fellow industry leaders, and rub elbows with the lawmakers in Congress that most people only see on CNN. And while politics and policy may sound dry at first, past attendees say that the Hill is a lot more exciting when you get involved. “It is much more fun than people expect it to be,” says Tony Altman, vice president and CFO of Motivational Fulfillment & Logistics Services. “Everybody needs to do it once.”
The exclusive event hosts only several dozen people, meaning participants get lots of face time with each other and government officials. “I appreciate the intimate nature of the conference,” says Greg Christiansen, general counsel of National Marketing & Learning, LLC, who took part in his first Fly-In last year. “Attendance is smaller, and it allows participants a greater opportunity to get to know one another. I really enjoyed the panel discussions and the interaction between the presenters and attendees. Attending the Fly-In helps members check the pulse of the marketplace, and any potential regulatory issues that may exist on the horizon.”
“The biggest surprise for me was that the FTC speakers were quite committed to helping our industry,” says Dr. Lori Zeller, managing director of THOR Associates, who attended in 2013 to learn more about the threat of an Internet sales tax. “Before the Fly-In, I wasn’t sure that self-regulation was something that we all needed to commit to. As a result of the Fly-In, I’ve become such a huge self-regulation fan that my agency started an auditing service. Not only did I meet potential business allies, I spent time visiting with politicians and had a fantastic education in government affairs. Every member should attend the Government Affairs Fly-In because of the education ERA provides for the greater good of our individual businesses.”
ERA’s 2014 Government Affairs Fly-In is set for May 20–May 21. Visit www.retailing.org for more information.