Being Heard: the 2017 NACD Washington Fly-In

It’s always important to stand up and be counted in a democracy, and that’s even more true at a time like this, when there are so many competing voices being raised at once.

So it’s vital that organizations like NACD exist, providing not only training and best practices for its membership, but a strong voice of advocacy in Washington. It’s given Coast Southwest the opportunity over the years, during its Fly-Ins, to state its case in person with legislators and regulators who need to understand the concerns and commitment of the companies and people powering the industry.

There’s plenty to talk about

There’s a host of topics that we’ll have the opportunity to discuss with members of Congress and others, from the need to support STEM education to association health plans (AHPs) and the infrastructure challenges looming ahead. Every one of those has big consequences for not only companies like Coast Southwest and the industries they’re involved in, but for the nation as a whole. So getting the ear of the movers and shakers inside the Beltway is crucial to making headway against those issues.

It’s a privilege to be part of an organization like NACD that gives us a necessary voice in Washington. Plus, an experience like the Fly-In makes you grateful to live and work in a country where you’re given the opportunity to make your viewpoints known.

Even in times as fractious as these, that’s a right we should never forget, or deny others.