07/05/2006
As weather is heating up, so too are the elections, and it's important that the small-business community connect with candidates. A candidate meet-and-greet event provides small-business owners the opportunity to interact with candidates and elected officials in an informal and welcoming manner while discussing important issues affecting your business. The meet-and-greet is a time to ask questions, talk about your own experience as an entrepreneur, and lend your support to an individual promoting small business on the campaign trail.
Since small businesses are the backbone of your community, when you host an event, bring your colleagues, employees, friends, family and fellow small-business leaders together with the candidates. The entire community will benefit from the success of your business and the candidates you and NFIB support. As a leader, this is your opportunity to make an impact.
"We as business need to be heard," said Karen Oertel, a small-business owner from Stevensville, Md. "We need to speak to the issues, and need to explain to decisionmakers to let them know the impact of your business."
Holding a meet-and-greet is also a way to help NFIB's campaign to help maintain America's small-business majority in Congress. If you would like to make your business available for an event, please contact NFIB's political staff at political@nfib.org or (800) 552-NFIB. When possible, our staff will offer assistance in securing a candidate who is supportive of small business.
