By the time this issue is published, the presidential election will be over, and we will once again see Washington change with a new president and a new Congress. This provides an opportunity for composites professionals to reintroduce ourselves to our representatives, but only if we are proactive in reaching out. The ACMA government relations team is ready to assist you in setting up congressional visits to your company.
Your relationship with your representatives should be prioritized just like any other entity that can have a significant impact on your business. We don’t wait to talk to our bankers, suppliers or customers until there’s a problem; we build and foster these relationships. We should do the same with our congressional representatives and senators.
Inviting a member of the House of Representatives or Senate to visit a manufacturing facility can have multiple benefits for both the company and the lawmaker. We often compare these visits to an initial visit with a new sales lead. They typically last an hour, with a tour of the facility and time to speak with employees and see products.
These visits are about your company and your employees. ACMA will help you prepare, including guiding you to share relevant information, such as the number of employees, annual revenue, key customers and your role in the community. We will help identify relevant policies, legislation or issues to raise with the lawmaker based on their role in Congress.
These visits provide advantages for your company, your employees and our industry.
First, the visit strengthens your company’s relationship with its congressional representative. Building personal connections with lawmakers can be instrumental when advocating for industry-specific legislation. It allows your company to be seen as a trusted resource and a constituent stakeholder whose input is valuable in shaping future policies.
Second, it provides an opportunity to showcase the company’s operations, innovations and contributions to the local economy. Policymakers can have tremendous impact on our ability to manufacture in the United States but may not fully understand the intricacies of composites. A firsthand visit can help bridge this knowledge gap for congressional staff, some of whom have never visited a manufacturing facility. When members of Congress see the complexity and scale of the operations, they are more likely to support legislation that fosters growth, enhances competitiveness and promotes investment in manufacturing.
Third, the visit creates a platform to address specific challenges, such as regulatory burdens, tax programs, workforce development needs and supply chain concerns. Seeing the local impact of these policies can encourage the development of legislation or policies that directly benefit us. For example, a conversation about the cost of innovation can help build support for tax relief for research and development.
Finally, hosting a member of Congress brings positive publicity, highlighting the company’s role as a job creator and community partner. It showcases the company’s commitment to local and national economic health and provides your employees with an opportunity to show their passion for our industry.
If you’ve never connected with lawmakers in Washington, we are here to help. A great opportunity to get started is to attend ACMA’s annual fly-in. The 2025 event will be June 10 – 12 and will include meetings in Congress, educational briefings and networking opportunities. Please consider attending and learn more about this important part of ACMA membership!
Dan Neumann is vice president of government relations at ACMA. Email comments to dneumann@acmanet.org.