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NAWBO-LA Online Newsletter
June 2008 Issue
Leaders Establish NAWBO-LA Presence During National Advocacy Trip
Jane Skeeter and Daphne Anneet make the voice of women business owners heard as part of Access Washington, D.C., and encourage members to attend the upcoming Access Sacramento
NAWBO-LA leaders brought the voice of women business owners to the nation’s capital in April when they attended Access Washington, D.C., which this year focused on the message of “Building America Together.”
President-Elect Jane Skeeter and Secretary Daphne Anneet joined more than 200 business and civic leaders for the annual advocacy trip organized by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The delegation included several other elected officials from the region, plus representatives from more than 20 Southern California business advocacy and trade organizations.
The event “continued to expand our spheres of influence and further heighten NAWBO-LA’s visibility in the public policy arena,” said Skeeter, who participated on the Small Business Committee. Her team met with lawmakers’ aides to address a number of critical issues, including extension of a research and development tax credit to help Los Angeles manufacturers compete globally.
Added Anneet, “The trip was a great opportunity for NAWBO-LA to enhance its presence in the Los Angeles business community as one of the voices to which Washington needs to listen. It also gave us a chance to strategize on how we can work with other local agencies to address issues important to our membership.”
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Los Angeles business and civic leaders, including members of NAWBO-LA’s leadership team, take part in the 2008 Access Washington, D.C. advocacy trip. (Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Click on image to englarge)
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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce found great value in NAWBO-LA’s participation.
“NAWBO-LA played an important role in communicating our region’s challenges and opportunities during our Access Washington, D.C. advocacy trip, particularly surrounding those issues important to small and women-owned businesses,” said Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gary Toebben. “Partnering with organizations like NAWBO-LA strengthens the power of our voice when we meet with legislators, and helps us advance our shared policy agenda for the region.”
Besides participating on policy teams, attendees had the opportunity to hear remarks from a wide range of high-level speakers, including Mayor Villaraigosa, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Congresswoman and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francicso) and Ambassador Susan Schwab, U.S. Trade Representative. Participants also made the most of the networking events, with Skeeter and Anneet establishing valuable connections with local businesses and agencies that potentially can lead to future partnerships and additional NAWBO-LA member benefits.
Both Skeeter and Anneet encourage NAWBO-LA members to carry the public policy mantle forward by advocating for issues important to them and other women business owners at the upcoming Access Sacramento (see additional story). In the meantime, they look forward to Access Washington, D.C. in 2009.
“It was a valuable learning experience and it was great to be there this year,” Skeeter said. “We hope that NAWBO-LA has an even larger visibility and voice next year.”
To learn more about NAWBO-LA’s advocacy efforts, visit www.nawbola.org/advocacy/. For more information on Access Washington, D.C., visit www.lachamber.com.
Get Access to State Government Via Sacramento Advocacy Trip
Join business owners, leaders and elected officials from throughout Southern California to advocate on important issues during the annual Access Sacramento trip, taking place this year June 16-17.
Led by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Access Sacramento includes a delegation of more than 100 to meet with state lawmakers, members of the governor's office and other decision-makers on issues including transportation, education, infrastructure, general business, health care, energy and the environment. The trip also includes a special luncheon with lawmakers and high-ranking state officials.
Access Sacramento represents an opportunity for NAWBO-LA members to impact public policy on issues that matter most – particularly critical this year at a time when the budget cycle is about to start and fiscal policy is at the forefront.
Space is limited, so book your spot as soon as possible. To register, visit www.lachamber.com and click on “Advocacy,” and then on “Advocacy Trips.” |
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