What Happens on the ALA Fly-in to Washington, D.C.

Mark Your Calendar for April 25-26, 2018

Below is a typical account of the annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. The events are real, but the identities have been altered to protect the innocent.

Participant X catches an early morning flight and arrives at Reagan Airport. After a harried Uber ride across the 14th Street Bridge Participant X arrives at Capitol Hill Hotel, just one block from the Cannon House Office Building. Having dropped their bag with the front desk, Participant X meets up with the others - excited for what is about to unfold.
In the months and week leading up to this point, Participant X received updates on scheduled meetings, talking points, group assignments and insights on how to avoid looking like a tourist.

Day One
The assembled group meets to go over the detailed information found in the participant folders, as well as to discuss policy and logistical questions. The first day’s Congressional meetings are on the House side, and as soon as the pre-briefing concludes, the groups disperse to share the story of the lighting industry. Participant X’s group is scheduled to have seven 30-minute meetings, which is typical on the first day.

Office space on the House side is practically non-existent. Meetings are crammed into whatever space is available. This includes: the Member’s office, the staff office, or a dank conference room. Despite what you see on TV, these meetings are not in some elaborate conference room, but conducted often times in the "halls of Congress" (no, literally the hallway). Hallway meetings are loud, confusing and it can be hard to focus on the task at hand, because in the hallway anyone can walk by, be it a celebrity, a four-star general, a cabinet secretary, or even the vice president. Most of the time, however, it is some other industry shuffling from office to office on their annual fly-in. Occasionally, you will see a frantic staffer chasing after a Member of Congress as bells ring out overhead signaling a vote.

The first meeting goes off without a hitch, but because of votes on the House floor, the schedule is in limbo. ALA staff frantically call offices asking to move the meetings to one of the ante rooms just outside of the House Chamber. Some offices agree, while others delegate the meeting to staff.

Participant X is glad they wore comfortable shoes because there is a lot of walking, a lot of standing around and a lot more walking.

After juggling the schedule, the meetings seem to be back on track. Participant X recognizes the importance of Congressional staff and sees firsthand how contributions to the ALA-PAC do in fact help open doors.

The dialogue during the meetings is fruitful and Participant X gets a picture with their hometown Congressman during the second to the last meeting.

After the conclusion of the business portion of day 1, Participant X enjoys the networking cocktail reception and industry dinner hosted by ALA President and CEO Eric Jacobson. During dinner, Participant X gets to hear how the meetings went for the other groups and exchange ideas with the other attendees on how to approach various topics for day 2.

A group of night owls head out to review the "lighting" at some of the local bars, but Participant X’s feet hurt and they decide to head back to the hotel and crash.

Day Two
Day 2 begins bright and early. At breakfast, Participant X catches up on the evenings events from the late night crowd (all with large cups of coffee in hand). The conversation is cut short as the groups break off to conquer the second and final day of the fly-in – the Senate side.

Almost immediately upon entering the Hart Senate Office Building, Participant X makes several keen observations. The air seems more pure, the volume seems more calm, the staff seems more mature, the office seem more spacious, and the constant state of chaos witnessed just a day ago seems all but a faded memory. This truly is the House of Lords.

Participant X notices that Day 2’s schedule has fewer yet seemingly more impactful meetings. Senators and their staff take personal interest in the meetings, expressing focused enthusiasm to help the industry. The last meeting before heading off to lunch caught one Senator in a sharing mood. The Senator recanted a story of their nightmare of an experience when they attempted to change out a ceiling fan back home. The Senator also managed to weave in a few humorous political anecdotes.

None of the meetings are conducted in the hall.

With all meetings on the Hill over it is time to wrap things up with lunch provided at the Lutron Commercial Experience Center down Massachusetts Ave.

In a whirl, lunch was over and Participant X was stuck in the TSA security line eager to report back on the work that was accomplished over the two-day event.

The 2018 edition of the annual fly-in will be April 25-26. ALA members are encouraged to come and lend their support of the industry by participating in this worthwhile event. To confirm your participation, or for more information, please contact Michael Weems, ALA vice president, government engagement, at mweems@americanlightingassoc.com.