Overview of the Government Relations Committee

The Government Relations and Advocacy committee was established to support advocacy for the meetings & events industry. Ensuring that the voice of the industry is heard and considered by policymakers. By actively engaging with lawmakers and government agencies, the committee can shape favorable policies and regulations that support industry growth and innovation. Additionally, the committee monitors legislative activities to encourage members to stay informed and adapt to changing requirements. Building a collation of planners, vendors, industry influencers to advocate for meetings & events to the government and the general public.  

Why We Advocate – Presentation

Robin Troutman, NACDD

PCMA Capital Chapter 2021 Virtual Global Meetings Industry Day – A White Paper

Mark Decker, MB4 Productions
Lisa French, Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Christine Fry, CEM
Annette M. Suriani, CMP, CFMP, DES, AMS Meetings Solutions
Robin Troutman, NACDD

Summary Write up:
In 2021 as the world grappled with prolonged impacts of the COVID pandemic the meetings and events industry suffered continued shutdown and repeated setbacks. In the face of these challenges, PCMA CC coordinated a virtual GMID event and dozens of virtual Congressional appointments to use our individual and collective voices to educate about the importance of the industry and advocate for recovery legislation. This white paper summarizes the issues addressed and the tactics used to communicate our message.

Why I Vote and You Should Too!

Annette M. Suriani, AMS Meetings Solutions

My grandparents immigrated to the United States in the 1930’s.  They didn’t know each other in Sicily but somehow were introduced to each other in NYC.  Their families came here for a better way of life.  My grandmother  worked as a seamstress and my grandfather worked on the railroad.  They both had a dream…to become US Citizens.

It was a new idea for both of them especially my grandmother since women had only earned the right to vote in 1920.  They both worked hard to become citizens and it wasn’t until the 1970’s when they participated in their first election.  They voted in city, state and national elections until they passed in the 1980’s.

It meant so much to them, especially my grandmother since she was the first woman in her family to not only vote but to own the home her family lived in in Brooklyn.

That’s why I vote.  My grandparents worked hard to earn that right and the women who were part of the suffragette movement worked hard to earn the right for women to vote in this country.  They all made sacrifices so that we didn’t have to.  We should not squander this right.

Not registered?  You can do that right here.

Why You Need to Vote and Not Let Anyone Stop You!

Annette M. Suriani, AMS Meetings Solutions

Last night I had the good fortune of attending a John Legend concert at Wolf Trap with Industry Colleagues thanks to Destination Cleveland.  It was a night of song and stories about John Legend’s beginnings.  I didn’t know much about him although this was the second time for me seeing him.  

One of the stories he told inspired me to write this.

When he was only 15 years old, he entered a contest with McDonald’s (yes the fast food restaurant).  They wanted people to submit an essay about Future Black History Makers for  Black History Month in 1994.  John wrote about himself becoming a famous artist and the positive impact he would have on Black History. He swore to himself that when (not if) he became famous, he would do whatever he could to encourage the Black Vote, fight corruption and discrimination within our voting system and stand up for those who are marginalized.  

Yes he won the essay contest but the point is, as an American Citizen you have the right to vote and NO ONE can stop you.  As the saying goes, See Something, Say Something.  I don’t care what color you are, if you see someone being denied the right to vote reach out to the Department of Justice, the local Board of Elections and yes, the police.

Here’s more information on the voting rights guide.   Always know your rights.

The 14th Amendment, approved by Congress in 1866 and ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons “born or naturalized in the United States,” including former slaves, and guaranteed “equal protection of the laws” to all citizens. In 1870, Congress passed the last of the three so-called Reconstruction Amendments, the 15th Amendment, which stated that voting rights could not be “denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (copied from the History channel website).

So get out there and vote!  It is your right!  It is your duty as an American citizen!  Your vote counts and your voice needs to be heard.

The Importance of Voting – A Right That Every American Has

Annette M. Suriani, AMS Meetings Solutions

I remember going to grade school and sitting in American History and thinking I can’t wait until I’m old enough to vote.  The democracy our forefathers fought for and then women fighting for that same right really resonated with me.  I knew it was a fundamental right and responsibility  of every American to have a voice in electing those who were going to represent us as a nation, as a society, as civil beings.

From the first time I was eligible to vote until now, I have voted in every presidential election, state and local elections and always made sure that if I moved, I registered to vote in my new area.  It was always exciting to me to locate my new polling place.  I even looked forward to going with my parents to vote up until their passing.  It became a family thing.

This year, we as a country, will be voting for the 48^th President of the United States.  It is your right to have a say in that. If you don’t vote you are giving up the opportunity of shaping our country, standing up for your rights and most importantly, being a bad example to future generations.

It’s really simple and you don’t even have to leave your house to register.  Just click here  and follow the prompts.  See you at the polls!

Labor Strikes: How To Prepare

Darryl Diamond, CMP. Associate Director of Meetings, Talley

You have a meeting next week in California, but you’re worried that the ongoing hotel workers’ strike will affect your guests’ expected service. What do you do?

In Southern California, members of the Unite21 labor union representing thousands of hotel workers have staged intermittent walkouts since early July, demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. Contracts covering more than 15,000 workers and more than 60 hotels expired on June 30.

The golden rule is to communicate, communicate, and then communicate some more.

1. Tell your attendees what is happening and what they might expect.
2. Talk with the hotel and ensure there is a written plan for how the property will maintain service/staffing levels while your guests are there (if the property’s workers join the picket lines during your event).
3. Reach out to the union representatives to discuss your meeting and when strikes/protests may occur. Explain that you may not contractually be able to cancel the meeting, but perhaps they could delay a planned protest.
4. Review your contract. If you have a service level clause, work with the hotel to relocate your entire event or the parts that will suffer with fewer hotel staff (meals, general sessions, etc.).

This is not an ideal situation for planners, hotel workers, or property management. However, if we continue to have open and honest communications, the parties will be able to work out their differences and your event will go on with few, if any, interruptions.

Want to get involved?

Contact Government Relations & Advocacy 2023 Chair Sandy Yi-Davis, [email protected], with Strategic Meeting International.