America’s Blood Centers (ABC) is excited to host our first annual Advocacy Summit. This event will take place at the Hamilton Hotel in downtown Washington D.C., from June 10-11th (book your room by May 15th to secure the discounted rate), as part of ABC’s Blood Advocacy Week. The Summit will provide a unique opportunity for those new to advocacy, and seasoned veterans, to learn from experts and peers how to advocate at the federal level, build stronger connections with their congressional representatives, and meet with members of Congress and their staff to advance ABC’s Advocacy Agenda. Register here to attend the Summit.
On day one of the Advocacy Summit, attendees will engage with a variety of speakers, learn ways to advance your center’s advocacy efforts with government partners, and hear insights on developing relationships with elected officials to benefit your blood center and the entire blood community. Speakers will include ABC partners who are leading experts in healthcare policy and government affairs, former members of Congress, ABC members who have developed sustaining advocacy efforts year-round, and ABC staff members who are part of our government affairs team.
Panel discussions will cover best practices and strategies to advocate and articulate ABC member blood centers’ priorities and allow participants to ask questions and discuss what has, and has not, worked at your center. Sessions will also include more fundamental elements, such as how not to get lost on Capitol Hill (it happens more often than you might think). Participants must attend the first day of the Summit if they wish to go to Capitol Hill the next day.
On day two of the Advocacy Summit, participants will head to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff. ABC will set up the meetings in advance for Summit attendees. During these meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to advocate for the policy priorities in ABC’s Advocacy Agenda, discuss the importance of your blood center to your community, and thank members of Congress for their support of the U.S. blood supply. During the Hill meetings, attendees will also encourage Congressional offices to participate in a blood drive taking place on the Hill the following day, June 12th, as a part of ABC’s Blood Advocacy Week. ABC and Inova Blood Donor Services will host the blood drive, which will provide an opportunity to remind past blood donors about the act of donating, as well as introduce new blood donors to the need for blood donations.
After spending time on Capitol Hill, ABC will hold an evening reception back at the Hamilton Hotel for participants to share their experiences.
We hope you will take part in this unique opportunity to learn how to advocate at the federal level, build stronger connections with your congressional offices, and meet with members of Congress and their staff to advance ABC’s Advocacy Agenda and your blood center’s advocacy priorities.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lorenzo Rodriguez, manager of Government Affairs or Leslie Maundy, director, Membership Services.