Ahead of NFIB’s 75th Anniversary and Fly-In this week, more than 100 NFIB members from 30 states attended an Advocacy Academy in Washington, D.C., Monday.
NFIB’s Grassroots team partnered with the Congressional Management Foundation for the Advocacy Academy.
“We were able to share their findings with members and engage in interactive training to help them prepare for their Hill meetings and future engagements throughout the year,” said Jessica Cooper, NFIB’s grassroots director.
Topics covered at the Advocacy Academy included:
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How to develop long-term relationships with state and federal legislators and their staff
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How to create stories to move the hearts, minds, and votes of lawmakers
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Use of social media on Capitol Hill
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Creating mini-grassroots networks at home
The training comes before NFIB’s annual Fly-In on Wednesday, when hundreds of NFIB members will visit the Hill to urge lawmakers to make the 20 percent small business deduction from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, among other key small business-related provisions. in in black and white now,” said Dan Thystrup, owner of NFIB member business Adventure Glass, in North Webster, Indiana. “You get energized to want to do it, too.”
According to a recent NFIB member ballot, more than 90 percent of small business owners support permanently extending the expiring provisions of the act.
At present, tax cuts for the vast majority of small businesses expire after Dec. 31, 2025, complicating long-term planning for small business owners.
“It’s going to feel easier (to advocate) because I have (my story) cut in black and white now,” said Dan Thystrup, owner of NFIB member business Adventure Glass, in North Webster, Indiana. “You get energized to want to do it, too.”
