Air Travel Essentials Explained

In the world of business, advocacy is a powerful tool for driving growth and creating opportunities. One such avenue is the fly-in trip, a strategic venture that brings business leaders from cities and states to Washington, D.C. for meetings with legislators and policymakers about issues crucial to the local business community.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers a Washington, D.C. Fly-In Program for member organisations, providing access to top U.S. Chamber policy and advocacy experts for a programme tailored specifically to their business priorities. However, it's essential to note that non-members are not eligible to receive briefings from the U.S. Chamber's experts or other benefits associated with the trip.

Coordinating a successful fly-in trip involves careful planning and organisation. Selecting dates depends on the purpose of the trip and the availability of hotels, venues, legislators, and policymakers. The number of people a fly-in group should bring on a trip can vary depending on the organisation's goals and the nature of the specific event.

Two vital materials to provide attendees are an itinerary and a trip guide. The itinerary outlines the schedule of events, including welcome receptions, dinners, breakfasts, briefings, meetings with federal officials, tours of the White House and U.S. Capitol, and receptions with federal officials. The trip guide, on the other hand, includes sponsor information, trip contacts, agenda, speaker information, congressional directory, blank note pages, venue, hotel, and restaurant recommendations.

To schedule meetings with members of Congress during a fly-in trip, think about which legislators you want to meet with and what issues you want to discuss, contact the legislators' offices to request a meeting, and consider requesting a meeting with a member of their staff if the legislator is unavailable.

Hosting a fly-in is a valuable membership benefit and can be used as a tool to engage prospective new members as well. A visit to Washington, D.C. can help business leaders gain access to key decision-makers and administration officials, including Members of Congress and leaders from federal agencies.

Fly-in trips provide an opportunity for business leaders to advocate for local, state, regional, and federal issues that are important for business growth and job creation. They also offer learning opportunities on a variety of topics, such as policy issues, industry trends, and best practices. Furthermore, they can provide attendees with exposure to new markets, customers, and partners, and a platform to network with other business owners and professionals in their community.

To measure the success of a fly-in trip, consider metrics such as attendance, engagement, policy outcomes, media coverage, and return on investment. Many organisations use these trips to generate both sponsorship and attendee revenue. To attract sponsors, create a clear sponsorship package that includes information about the event, including the expected number of attendees, the demographics of the attendees, and the benefits of sponsoring the event.

Various venues for briefings and receptions are suggested, including AT&T Forum, The Darcy, The Graham Georgetown Rooftop, Grand Hyatt Washington, Capitol View at 400, The Jefferson, Library of Congress, National Press Club, The Observatory at America's Square, The Rooftop at the Embassy Row Hotel, Top of the Gate, and Vue Rooftop DC.

To schedule a tour of the U.S. Capitol, visit the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center's website and fill out the online form to reserve a tour, contact the Facilities Management Division at 651-201-2300 to make a reservation, or contact your member of Congress directly. To schedule a tour of the Library of Congress, contact the Visitor Services Office at (202) 707-8000 or email them at [email protected] to arrange a special docent-led tour. To schedule a speaker from the White House Administration, contact the White House Office of Public Engagement by submitting a request through their website or by calling 202-456-1414.

Joining the U.S. Chamber provides access to these benefits. Fly-in trips provide an invaluable opportunity for businesses to make their voices heard in the nation's capital and contribute to shaping policies that foster growth and job creation.

[1] Note: For more detailed information on scheduling a briefing from a U.S. Chamber policy expert as part of a fly-in trip program, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Membership: You must be a dues-paying member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to request a briefing from their policy and advocacy experts. 2. Contact the Chamber: Reach out to the U.S. Chamber's government affairs or events team to request a briefing during your fly-in trip. They can provide guidance on how to arrange such meetings. 3. Customize Your Itinerary: Work with the Chamber to tailor your trip's agenda to include a policy briefing. This typically involves setting up a meeting with U.S. Chamber experts, possibly during events like breakfast policy briefings. 4. Plan Ahead: Provide all necessary details in a trip guide, including sponsors, trip contacts, agenda, speaker information, and any other relevant details. This helps ensure a smooth and organized trip. 5. Communicate with Attendees: Distribute the trip guide to attendees in advance, either in print or digitally, to keep everyone informed about the schedule and logistics.

Advocacy is a central tool in the business world, promoting growth and opportunity creation.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce proposes a Washington, D.C. Fly-In Program for member organizations, offering customized policy and advocacy guidance.
Careful planning and organization are crucial for a successful fly-in trip, considering factors like legislator availability and venue selection.
Attendees should receive an itinerary and a trip guide, detailing events, meetings, and other logistical information.
Meetings with members of Congress can be scheduled by identifying key issues and contacting their offices to request a meeting.
Fly-in trips offer advantages to businesses, including exposure to decision-makers, learning opportunities, and networking chances.
Success metrics for fly-in trips might include attendance, engagement, policy outcomes, media coverage, and return on investment.
Besides members, sponsors can also be attracted to these events, benefiting from detailed sponsorship packages and expected attendee demographics.