Conducting a Successful Fly-In

Breanne McGahey

Public Policy Communications & Advocacy Manager

International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association

Public Affairs Council, National Grassroots Conference

February 7, 2009

About IHRSA •  Only global trade association for the fitness

industry

•  10,000 for profit facilities and suppliers •  22,000 fitness professionals •  Potential to reach 11 million consumers

•  10 member Global Public Policy Department + DC Lobbying Team + Lobbyists in 14 States •  Association staff = 75+

WhatWeLobbyFor

•  Federal–  Preven2oninthehealthcarereformdebate

–  PersonalHealthInvestmentTodayAct(HR245)

– WorkforceHealthImprovementProgramAct(HR1748/S1038)

•  State–  All50;lobbyistsin14–  Salestaxonhealthclubdues

–  Burdensomebusinessregula2ons

–  Taxcredits–  AEDs

LadderofAdvocateEngagement

Office visits

Phone calls

Emails

Petitions

7thAnnualSummitforaHealthierAmericaMay6‐7,2009|Washington,DC

Objec2ves

Advance Progression of 2 Federal Bills By Increasing Congressional Support Via Constituent Lobbying

Building relationships

between constituents and

Members of Congress

Engage constituents in

key Congressional

districts

Provide an excellent

experience

GoodtoGreatinabadeconomyandanewlandscapeinDC

•  Integratedadvocacy–twoeventsandonlinecampaign

•  Namechange•  Mee2ngformat•  Congressionaltargets•  Fewera_endees•  Travelscholarships

•  Morepersonalizeda_en2on–  Customizedlobbyingmaterials,robustdistrictprofiles

•  Increaseimpactoflobbying

•  Buildmoreeffec2verela2onships

EventTimeline2008•  Wednesday–  EarlyMorningWorkouts–  Orienta2on–  IssuesBriefing–  1‐4pmHillMee,ngs

–  PanelDiscussion–  NetworkingRecep2on–  KeynoteSpeaker&Dinner

•  Thursday–  NetworkingBreakfast–  GeneralSessionwithFeatureSpeaker

–  9:30am‐4pmHillMee,ngs

–  ClosingRecep2on

EventTimeline2009•  Wednesday–  Orienta2on/IssuesBriefing–  PanelDiscussion–  NetworkingRecep2on–  Dinner

•  Thursday–  NetworkingBreakfast–  9:30am‐4pmHillMee,ngs

–  ClosingRecep2on

Abbreviated2meline=$131,000insavingsfromlogis2csbudget

Morefundsavailablefortravelscholarships

Target Priority Districts Marketing Register Detailed

Survey

Email from Scheduler Email Updates Schedule

Meetings Briefing Book

Arrive on Site Briefing Binder Grassroots Orientation Issue Briefing

Staff at Meetings Evaluations Follow-up

Post‐SummitFollow‐Up

Advocate

Meeting Evaluation

Legislative Analyst

DC Lobbyists

Congressional Offices

Legislative Analyst

InternalResponsibili2es

•  PublicPolicy:–  GRstrategy– Mee2ngscheduling

– Marke2ng–  Advocatetraining

•  Mee2ngs–  Logis2cs

•  Sponsorship–  Covers50%ofexpenses

•  MemberService–  Telemarke2ngtotargetdistricts

EnhancingtheExperience

•  BriefingBook– Mailed2weeksprior–  Verydetailed–  ‘Everythingadvocatescouldeverneedtoknow’

EnhancingtheExperience

•  Phonecalls•  Emails•  On‐sitebriefingbook–  Detailedprofilesincludebio’s,caucuses,co‐sponsors

•  Orienta2on

•  Webinars

•  YouTubevideos•  Increaseinterac2onamongclubsindistrictpriortovisit

ThingstoWatchOutFor

•  Scheduling– 2staffers,80%oftheir2mefor6weeks

•  Cancella2ons– Policies

•  Managingexpecta2ons(andegos)

•  Groupsthataretoolarge(MD,VA)

Breanne McGahey

Public Policy Communications & Advocacy Manager International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association

bqm@ihrsa.org | 800-228-4772 ext. 180