AmericanHort’s Impact Washington Summit Returns in September
Following on the heels of Cultivate’23 is AmericanHort’s Impact Washington Summit, the green industry’s biennial legislative conference that is scheduled for Sept. 18-20, 2023, in our nation’s Capital. This summit is more than just a fly-in – it’s an event offering in-depth information from subject matter experts, industry champions in Congress, and administration officials on issues affecting your business. You’ll gain knowledge that prepares you for conversations with your policymakers to protect and promote your business’s rights. Stay on top of key legislative issues that impact your business’s bottom line – including workforce, policy, the Farm Bill, pests and diseases, tax, and research funding.
After receiving updates on these critical topics, Summit attendees will have a chance to step on the Hill and meet with their own legislators. Building a relationship with your representatives is the foundation of grassroots advocacy efforts. Advocacy continues to be a key tenet of AmericanHort’s mission, and we know that if our industry doesn’t have a seat at the table and a presence in Congress, someone else will be calling the shots for us.
When policymakers are looking for information pertaining to legislation or opinions for how to vote on key issues, they look to individuals whom they have relationships with to seek answers. Hill visits during the Impact Washington Summit allow you to open lines of communication with your representatives that position you as a go-to source of information for green industry topics. We encourage participants to invite your representatives to visit your business, a proven effective way for lawmakers to learn more about your operation and the industry.
Headlining the Summit this year will be popular two-term Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan. The story of former Governor Hogan’s journey to elective office is fascinating. Hogan was not a career politician. As a lifelong Marylander and small business owner, Hogan sought to make a difference when he started Change Maryland, the largest non-partisan grassroots citizen organization in state history. When he took office, Governor Hogan quickly became an example of leadership for the nation, accomplishing what many believed was no longer possible: bipartisan, common-sense solutions.
“If you have grown weary – or even cynical – of all things political, you will find Governor Hogan’s message uplifting and inspirational,” says Cole Mangum, Vice President for Operations at Bell Nursery in Elkridge, MD, and immediate past AmericanHort board chair. “We thrived under his vision and leadership and are thrilled that Governor Hogan will join us in September to share his observations, experience, and vision with AmericanHort and green industry leaders from across our nation.”
There will also be an event in downtown D.C. on the evening of September 19 for PlantPAC, AmericanHort’s political action committee, honoring a special Congressional guest to be named. The AmericanHort PlantPAC helps to ensure that candidates who support our industry’s small and family farms and businesses can succeed. PlantPAC is funded solely by individual and personal contributions to support candidates in compliance with federal law.
AmericanHort members are the gold standard of constituents to our nation’s elected officials, making significant contributions to Americans’ economic prosperity and well-being in states from coast to coast. This conference is your chance to connect with policymakers, industry leaders, and fellow green industry business owners to discuss our sector’s challenges and offer solutions. With expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and access to resources and support, this conference is the event for any industry member looking to stay informed and engaged. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your voice heard and shape the policies and practices that impact the industry.
For more information and to register today, visit AmericanHort.org/Impact-Washington-Summit. Additional speakers and details will be announced in the coming weeks.
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