The NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington DC is in March and by the time you read this we will have already returned. Your WBA representatives will have spent hours walking and waiting in the halls of Congress to get a few precious minutes to talk with our elected officials. We’ll have been prepped by experts, armed with one-sheeters from the NAB and WBA so that we can represent our industry to Congress. It’s an amazing undertaking that I hope many of you get to experience some time.
If you ever go to DC to lobby, one of the first things you feel is the energy. Everyone you meet who is associated with the conference, NAB, or lawmakers seem to flicker with an active charge. You expect a slight shock when you shake hands. They claim great joy in greeting you while simultaneously clarifying that you only have a couple of minutes. When it’s time to present to your member of Congress, you hit your soundbites succinctly. They will have questions, many of which have nothing to do with your talking points. A win is when you can both answer their question and somehow point it back to the topic at hand. Don’t forget to make the ask.
During a visit, you recognize the trappings of the Capitol, both physical and mental. Architecture, artwork, landscaping, monuments, security…it’s everywhere and its incredible. But as you patrol the halls you see lines of people waiting anxiously to seek favor with their local politician. Monitors and lit signs frequent the walls, informing everyone that “Votes are in Session.” Certain elevators are reserved for the members of Congress. There is a little underground train that transports members of Congress between the Capitol building and the House/Senate office buildings. Operating since 1909, it provides rapid transit to avoid surface traffic. It’s good to be a member of Congress, I’m sure they get accustomed to that treatment. The cafeterias in the Dirksen Senate basement and Rayburn House are not to be missed. Picture the Star Wars Cantina without the band and everybody is wearing ties. Whether you are in the cafeteria, Senate, or House office buildings they all share one unfortunate similarity; there is no place to sit down. Last year I walked close to 20,000 steps a day. At some point it’s just easier to walk than stand still while you wait between appointments.
But it is a place of great history and accomplishment, tragic failure, obvious frustration, and glimmers of hope. It is a place unlike any I have ever been and I am always glad to have visited. Full transparency: I am pretty stoked to come home, too.
I am happy to share my experience. I also bring it up to encourage those with interest to become active in the WBA. I am honestly surprised to find myself an eight-year veteran of the Board. I have heard others say the same thing, so it’s not just me. But I am grateful for my experience and the people I have met. I strongly endorse it for others to try. Join committees, volunteer at events, attend conferences, seek a board position. A trip to DC is worth experiencing and you could be a part of it.
We have the best membership in the country. We are blessed with an amazing President and CEO in Michelle Vetterkind, VP in Kyle Geissler and Membership Coordinator in Robin Stephens. If you have interest or questions, talk to any board member or our staff leadership team.
Judson Beck
WBA Board Chair
