Each time I have attended a Legislative Fly-in, I have felt that my time was well spent and that I had a wonderful time. You will too! NASBP staff make it easy for you. There will be no registration fees to attend this coming year’s NASBP & SFAA Joint Legislative Fly-in held February 28 and 29, 2024. Simply reserve your hotel room and register for the Fly-in. (The host hotel, The Hilton Washington, DC, Capitol Hill, is a few blocks from the Capitol.) Then, in mid-January 2024, complete the Capitol Hill Appointment Form for the outside consultant that NASBP has obtained to set up your appointments with your federal legislators. Completing this Capitol Hill Appointment Form is important because it allows the consultant time to schedule appointments with your legislators.

Wednesday, February 28 will be dedicated as the “Washington Program,” which will be sponsored by Amerisure Surety and will start at 2 p.m. Eastern at the hotel. The “Washington Program” will include political observations from Amy Walter, Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report, and a panel of surety executives who will address current surety market conditions and issues. The panel, moderated by NASBP Third Vice President Monica Donatelli of IMA, will include Mike Ito of Amerisure, Rick Ciullo of The Hartford, and Bob Murray of Zurich North America. The day will conclude with a welcome reception at the host hotel. Thursday, February 29 will be dedicated entirely to Capitol Hill appointments. NASBP will provide you with bullet points or “talking points” to bring to the attention of each Congressperson’s office during your visits with them.

If you have never participated before in a Fly-in, let me assure you that NASBP can answer your questions about the scheduled events to ensure your visit to DC will go smoothly. In fact, let NASBP know that this will be the first time you have attended a Fly-in, and NASBP can explore pairing you with a colleague for the event. In the past, several NASBP members have brought their clients with them to go to their congressional appointments, but that is not required. Other NASBP members have brought their children with them on their appointments. Walking on Capitol Hill and seeing the historic sights and monuments in DC is an amazing experience for kids who are learning in school about the nation’s history and politics. Just ask members who have brought their children or grandchildren, including John Sanders, Jennifer Salm, Mike Olive, Dick Minick, Chris Downey, Howard Cowan, Brad Babcock, and me!

If none of the above has persuaded you to attend, I urge you to participate and share your knowledge of the surety product because it is desperately needed. It is vital for surety professionals to be in front of decision-makers who can impact—negatively or positively—the welfare of the surety industry. There are more than 12,000 staff who work for the U.S. House and Senate offices. Surety bonding requirements have been and continue to be challenged, intentionally and unintentionally, by legislative introductions. Though NASBP and SFAA continue throughout each year to meet with and educate the offices of members of Congress and their staff, these congressional offices gain a fuller understanding of the importance of the surety product when visited and informed by constituents. That is why we need your sales skills during the Fly-in to help convey the significant role bonds play to protect taxpayer funds, preserve local jobs, and advance public works infrastructure projects. Every Fly-in generates many leads for follow-up visits by NASBP staff to continue the dialogue and to cement the interests of individual congressional offices in matters important to surety bonding.

See you this February in Washington DC at the Fly-in!