How to Make
the Most of a Congressional Visit to Your Business
Congressional site visits
can be a highly effective advocacy tool. By inviting your members of Congress
to visit your company, you provide them with a unique opportunity to witness
firsthand the impact of government actions on your industry.
What’s more, these visits can help establish a vital relationship with the
member and their staff, which is paramount to successful advocacy. While
members of Congress may be familiar with certain 3PL issues, it is important
for you, as their constituent, to communicate the specific challenges and
opportunities that government mandates and regulations have on your day-to-day
operations.
Members of Congress want to hear your perspective, and a site visit allows them
to see where the “rubber meets the road,” gaining a better understanding of how
3PLs operate. By setting up an informal site visit meeting, you can help
explain the impact of government policies on your business.
Steps for Organizing a
Congressional Visit
Coordinate with the TIA
Government Affairs Team: We are here to
help you! The TIA team will handle the initial outreach on your behalf. Even if
you do not currently have a working relationship with your
representative/senator’s office, we do! Our team can help facilitate the visit
logistics, ensuring a smooth process.
Once your visit is on the
calendar, our government affairs team will continue to help you prepare by
providing the correct protocols, the latest industry statistics, key TIA policy
issues before Congress, and other pertinent information. All you have to do is
sit back and let them do the talking.
Prepare Your Staff: Inform your staff about the upcoming visit so everyone can help
“spruce” up your office/site, as well as dress appropriately the day of the
visit. Consider displaying a “Welcome Congressman X” banner or a sign in an
area with high visibility. If you work with a local shipper, invite them to
join or mention your relationship, as highlighting your broader footprint can
be impactful.
Contact Your Local
Business Reporter: Once you receive
approval from the delegation’s Communications director, reach out to your local
business and/or community reporters. Inform them that you will be hosting your
member of Congress and provide background information on your company – such as
size and scope of work, how many people you employ, your economic impact on the
community, etc. This helps set the scene for the importance of your business.
If you need help identifying who is the right media contact or how to create a
media advisory, the TIA Communications team is available to guide you!
Take Lots of Pictures: Politicians love a good
picture! Take photos of your leadership team with your visitor, as well as your
staff. Group shots always make good shots. After the visit, post the best
photos on your social media channels and be sure to tag your visitor’s social
media.
The End is Not Really the End: After the visit,
continue to build the relationship by sending follow up thank-you notes and
sharing pictures and any press coverage. Additionally, ask your staff and the
visiting members for their feedback to improve future visits. Furthermore, inform
TIA about the visit, providing a recap and some photos for TIA to share on our
social media channels as well.
Protocols to Remember
DON’T give any gifts: Because of lobbying and ethics rules on Capitol Hill, do not
present the member or his/her staff with any gifts. Instead, provide an
informational packet highlighting your company and the services you provide.
DON’T let the site visit
run longer than the amount of time that has been allotted: Be respectful of the member’s tight schedule and other commitments.
Enjoy the experience: A site visit is a unique
opportunity to showcase your business and help your member of Congress be your
voice in government