Featured Speaker
Monday, March 5
Joint PAC Fundraising Luncheon
(ticketed event)
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Alex Castellanos
GOP Political Strategist and CNN Political Analyst
Alex Castellanos is one of the Republican party's best-known and most successful media consultants and strategists. Castellanos has served as media consultant to seven U.S. presidential campaigns, serving on the John McCain for President Ad Council; a senior strategist for the Romney for President campaign; and as a key creative member to the 2000 and 2004 Bush-Cheney campaigns. He has been credited with the discovery of the political "soccer-mom" and has been dubbed "the father of the attack ad." Castellanos has helped elect nine U.S. senators and six governors, and has gained more than two decades of political consulting experience, both abroad and in the United States. Castellanos brings a wealth of campaign strategy, public opinion research, and communications experience to corporate communications and public policy campaigns. In 2008, he was honored as a Fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Conference Sessions
NLBMDA/WDMA Joint Welcome Reception and Silent Auction
Monday, March 5
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The NLBMDA/WDMA joint networking reception is the perfect time to make and renew business connections. Enjoy a relaxed and fun social event and make an impact on the industry's legislative initiatives by participating in the evening's silent auction benefiting NLBMDA's and WDMA's political action committees. All proceeds will go toward promoting candidates who support the industry in Congress. To donate an item, please check the box on your registration form and a staff member will follow up with you.
Lobbying 101
Tuesday, March 6
7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
This optional session offers hints and tips to get your message across clearly and effectively to members of Congress. Those visiting Congress for the first time or seeking a review should attend.
Washington Briefing Breakfast & Keynote Presentation
Tuesday, March 6
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
The annual Washington briefing breakfast will feature keynote remarks from a federal policymaker and insight on what it takes to effectively communicate industry messages. Hear an overview of the current atmosphere on the Hill and review specific talking points you will need to effectively comunicate the industry's position during Capitol Hill and federal agency visits.
Federal Issues Panels
Tuesday, March 6
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hear in-depth panel discussions on some of the critical issues facing the building industry in Washington today, featuring key officials who will share their perspectives on the current status and outlook for these issues in 2012 and beyond.
Capitol Hill & Federal Agency Visits
Tuesday, March 6
12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Your elected officials rely on feedback from the constituents in their districts to keep them apprised of the economic climate and to provide real-world feedback on how legislative actions impact employers and jobs in their communities. In addition, federal agency officials often do not get to hear from those directly impacted by their proposed regulations. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to visit their members of Congress on Capitol Hill and/or meet with federal agency representatives to discuss industry issues and concerns.
Capitol Hill Legislative Reception
Tuesday, March 6
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Share details of your Capitol Hill visit with friends and colleagues and show appreciation for our supporters on Capitol Hill at the annual legislative reception. Members of Congress and their key staff members are also invited to attend.