Ep 5: Policy Symposium Preview

Like we told you in our State Summit episode, the spring months are often some of the busiest for our government affairs team! Our signature advocacy event – the Policy Symposium – is only a few weeks away.

Every year, this meeting happens in the heart of Washington, DC and serves as an opportunity for all of our member companies to connect directly with congressional offices and key regulators. The first day focuses on education, with panels from key legislative and regulatory players and remarks from keynote speakers at breakfast and lunch. On the second day – AHRI heads to Capitol Hill en masse for dozens of visits with members of Congress and their staff.

There are a lot of moving parts to this event, and I’m excited to introduce you to several members of our policy team who help to bring them all together!

Register for the Policy Symposium here.

The Capitol Hill visit training webinar recording is available on the members-only dashboard, under the Government Affairs/Advocacy dropdown menu: https://www.ahrinet.org/user/member-dashboard

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:06

Welcome to Making Life Better, an AHRI podcast. Here we'll keep you informed about our upcoming events, important policy issues affecting the industry, updates to our globally recognized and industry-respected equipment certification program, and we'll even share some fun human interest stories and history related to the world of HVACR. This is the place to learn all the ways our members and AHRI make life better for everyone. Welcome back to Making Life Better, an AHRI podcast. I'm Reagan Spencer, the communications manager at AHRI. Like we told you in our State Summit episode, the spring months are often some of the busiest for our government affairs team. Our signature advocacy event, the Policy Symposium, is only a few weeks away. Every year, this meeting happens in the heart of Washington, D.C. and serves as an opportunity for all of our member companies to connect directly with congressional offices and key regulators. The first day focuses on education, with panels from key legislative and regulatory players and remarks from keynote speakers at breakfast and lunch. On the second day, HRI heads to Capitol Hill for dozens of visits with members of Congress and their staff. There are a lot of moving parts to this event, and I'm excited to introduce you to several members of our policy team who helped bring them all together. First guest today is Mackenzie Horrigan, the Senior Manager of International and Domestic Policy at AHRI. She's the one with her finger on the pulse of Policy Symposium Logistics, which includes everything from coordinating with general session panelists to helping organize our Hill Day. Mackenzie, thanks for taking a short break to join us. Of course. Thanks for having me, Reagan. I'm happy to be back on the podcast. We're glad to have you as a repeat guest. So this year's agenda has four general sessions, two keynote speakers, and one Hill Day prep session. Can you tell us about the key topics and issues that Policy Symposium attendees will be diving into throughout the day?

SPEAKER_02 2:13

Absolutely. So our industry, as most of the listeners know, is at the nexus of energy and environmental policy. So those always have been and will continue to be at the core of the topics that we cover at the Policy Symposium. We'll cover them from a variety of angles throughout the symposium, but at the end of the day, those are the two topics we're really keying into. In the morning, we're going to hear from a keynote speaker who's going to help us look ahead at the possible outcome of the midterm elections and what that's going to mean for DC politics. In addition to the energy and environmental policy areas that I touched on this year at the policy symposium, is also going to be an opportunity for AHRI member companies to advocate on behalf of the industry with legislators and regulators at the federal level. So we'll also have a couple of panels that highlight the importance of those advocacy efforts and help give companies the tools that they need to help effectively advocate for themselves beyond the policy symposium.

SPEAKER_03 3:06

And who are some of those speakers and panelists they'll be hearing from? What kind of agencies or organizations do they represent? Great question.

SPEAKER_02 3:14

So for that last piece that I was talking about with advocacy, we're really excited to have invited a bunch of CEOs from related industry associations to give their perspective on how they help shape their industry's advocacy plan. And that will be followed by a panel of government affairs leaders at other industry-related associations. So during both of those panels, we're going to hear from a broad swath of industries that include real estate, buildings, consumer technologies, and fuels, as well as energy advocates and even a utility association. It's important to know what those adjacent and like-minded industries' policy priorities are so that AHRI can look for areas of alignment to for our future advocacy efforts as well. But to start the day off in the morning, we'll hear from Hill staffers that work on those committees of jurisdiction for energy and environmental issues, as well as representatives from the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, and hopefully some other entities that work on those issues that are affecting the HVACR and water heating industry. So hopefully they'll be able to provide insights into the inner workings of Congress and the priorities for the remaining two and a half years of this administration.

SPEAKER_03 4:15

Sounds like these sessions will definitely give the full picture of all the moving pieces going on in and outside of Capitol Hill. That's always our goal. So aside from government relations employees who we know will benefit from the content of policy symposium, who else do you think would get value from attending?

SPEAKER_02 4:32

Policy affects everybody. And at the heart of our industry is really regulatory. Everything that we do at AHRI comes back one way or another to regulatory. At the end of the day, a bill becomes a law and it's going to be implemented through regulations. Ultimately, that's going to affect how our members' products are tested and certified. So we'll be covering information throughout the policy symposium that hopefully will provide context of this bigger picture so that even technical staff and engineers who might not think about what's going on in DC very often will be able to take something away from the policy symposium and apply it to their day-to-day work.

SPEAKER_03 5:05

In your opinion, what sets the policy symposium apart from other AHRI events?

SPEAKER_02 5:10

This is our premier policy event. It's the best opportunity for AHRI member companies to get out on the hill and make sure that the industry voice is heard. Building relationships with members of Congress is foundational to the success and longevity of the industry.

SPEAKER_03 5:24

So it's funny that you mentioned that because one of my favorite policy symposium testimonial anecdotes is from Bill Steele, who met with Representative Bob Latta's office during an HRI coordinated congressional visit, I don't remember what year, but they kept in touch. He ended up coming to a barred manufacturing open house, and then they continued that relationship. And Bill Steele was actually his guest at the State of the Union in 2019. So I think that really shows just how these visits are really what you make of them. They can really be the start of a relationship that grows into a very strong professional relationship. And I would consider Representative Latta's office just a friend of industry.

SPEAKER_02 6:08

Absolutely. That's a great anecdote of a very positive outcome of the HRI policy symposium. Thanks for sharing that, Regan.

SPEAKER_03 6:15

Yeah. And he drops it very casually. Like, oh, did you know I've been to the State of the Union?

SPEAKER_02 6:19

As only Bill Seal can do.

SPEAKER_03 6:22

Exactly. So the policy symposium, you know, it can be extremely helpful in planning for the rest of the year and the year ahead, which we know will have a new Congress next year. In 2024, the agenda focused on how to prepare for either more of the Biden administration or the second Trump administration. In 2025, we spent a lot of time looking into the deregulatory agenda of the second Trump administration and where it could go next. So for 2026, is there an overarching theme or message to the event?

SPEAKER_02 6:53

I think this year we're really digging into the importance of advocating for the industry at the federal level, whether that's with Congress, the regulatory agencies, or even at the White House directly. So we're hoping to give members those insights and tools to help them effectively advocate beyond the policy symposium. Hopefully, by hearing from the various perspectives that we've set up through the panels and the keynotes, they can leave the policy symposium with some ideas on how to set up an effective advocacy plan for their own company. And those meetings with the Hill staffers really kick off the beginnings of those relationships. And who knows, maybe more members will be invited to the State of the Union addresses in the future.

SPEAKER_03 7:29

Get a group picture. It'll be great. Great, great. And I want to plug your Welcome to Lobbying webinar that you guys are hosting on April 24th. I think that'll be a great resource to people who want to get started on their advocacy efforts. We'll make sure to link that in the episode notes.

SPEAKER_02 7:46

Awesome. Absolutely. We welcome anybody, but especially if you're attending Hill Day and are planning to meet with offices on the Hill, we see that as a first great touch point to begin your advocacy journey.

SPEAKER_03 7:57

So the recording of that webinar is available online. It's on our members-only dashboard. So you'll have to log in, but you can get to it and watch it in full. So Mackenzie, thank you for joining us and thank you for all your work going into Policy Symposium. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 8:12

Thanks for having me, Regan. It's always a pleasure.

SPEAKER_03 8:21

So next we're joined by AHRI's Director of Government Affairs, Joe Brady, who will also be very busy during the Policy Symposium. He is moderating two sessions and is a wealth of knowledge for anyone who is making their first trip to Capitol Hill. So Joe, thank you for joining me.

SPEAKER_00 8:37

Happy to be here, Reagan, and thank you so much for taking the time.

SPEAKER_03 8:40

Of course. We're glad to have another friend of the podcast from the policies. So the Hill Day Prep session is a new feature that we've added this year. Can you explain how that session will work?

SPEAKER_00 8:53

Yeah, absolutely. So this will be about a 45-minute session. And for the first 15 minutes or so, McKenzie and I will be going over the three big topics that we will be going up to the Hill and discussing with policymakers and their staff. And that will be EPCA modernization legislation, affordability, and workforce development. After McKenzie and I go over those issues, then we'll break out into smaller individual groups that you will be following up to Capitol Hill and talk about how you would choose to do run of show. This is a great opportunity to also speak with your AHRI team lead to get direction and support on how to best have a meeting flow and be organized.

SPEAKER_03 9:35

So you've been on both sides of those meetings in Capitol Hill, both as a member of congressional staff, now representing industry. What sets a successful meeting apart to begin to build professional relationships with congressional staff?

SPEAKER_00 9:48

Great question. And I think first and foremost is having a clear, concise ask. You know, I think it's really important to keep in mind that Hill staff, regardless of what side of Capitol Hill that you're on or your level of seniority, have a tremendous workload and they're being pulled into a thousand directions. And so, you know, while we as an industry are very technical and very specific in our policy asks, from a Hill or congressional perspective, you know, we are just lumped in with energy. And energy has a very wide range of issues that are covered, right? So the most effective meeting from a congressional standpoint is being able to be clear, concise in what you're asking for and to make a personal connection. You know, learn a little bit about the legislative office you're meeting with, learn a little bit about the staffer that you're meeting with as best as you can, and make a personal connection to the ask that you have with the staff member and their boss. In terms of building out that professional relationship, you know, if you have a footprint in the state and district, that is fantastic. And make sure that they are kept regularly informed on the latest company activity happening in your state and district. You know, after the meeting, it's always important to ask for a business card. That way you can follow up with the staffer, thank them for their time, and continue that regular communication of what's happening back in the state at your facility, or later invite them to a site facility or find unique and creative ways to continue to keep them engaged.

SPEAKER_03 11:24

So you mentioned dropping off a business card, trying to stay engaged with emails and invite them to things. Are there any other strategies that you would recommend as ways to follow up with an office to maintain that relationship?

SPEAKER_00 11:39

Yeah, that's that's a great question. So in addition to making sure that they have your contact information and following up immediately, like say within a week of your meeting, and keeping them apprised of the latest activity happening with your company back in the state and the district, I think another great way to also keep them engaged is let them know what's happening here at AHRI as well. You know, I think one of the great tools that we as a trade association have is that we have a regular consistent presence here in the greater Washington metropolitan area. So for me to go to the Hill, for Samantha to go to Hill, or McKenzie to go to Hill, that's very easy for us to do. And we can continue to keep the drumbeat going on on our policy requests. But also reminding them that we are here as a trade association and have a presence in Washington and you know, encouraging them to reach out to us if there are any questions, comments, or things that we can be helpful with is another great way of following up and continuing to keep folks apprised of what our industry cares about.

SPEAKER_03 12:43

Yeah, and I think that's a great point. Like we're always here to help.

unknown 12:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 12:47

So if someone has listened to what you've said and is still intimidated by the idea of actually going to the hill and going through these visits, what is your message to them?

SPEAKER_00 12:57

You know, don't be. I mean, it's as simple as that because, you know, at the end of the day, it's a conversation, right? I think again, these Hill staff are being spread into a thousand different directions. And so for you, it's just an opportunity to speak to what you know and speak to the day-to-day that you face as an engineer, a government relations professional, or anything else in between for your company and putting a human connection to it. It's also important to keep in mind that Hill staff are generally very young. You know, when I was working on the Hill, I started off I was right out of school. So I was 22, 23. So most of the people you're going to be meeting with are going to be in that early 20s to late 20s range. And so you got to keep in mind that it's it's just a friendly conversation and there's nothing to be intimidated about.

SPEAKER_03 13:42

And you've so you mentioned a couple different ways to repair in terms of, you know, having the concise message, making sure you're up to date on our asks. Is there anything else you would recommend people do ahead of these meetings?

SPEAKER_00 13:55

Uh ahead of these meetings, you know, if if you have a personal relationship with some of the staff that you're going to be meeting with, you know, it's not necessarily a bad idea to follow up beforehand if if you know your schedule and say, hey, I'm coming to visit in Washington and looking forward to our discussion. If you have that personal relationship before you you you hit the hill, just making sure that those staff know you're coming. That's that's a great way of being connected. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 14:24

Good to know. I think that is all of my questions. Is there anything else we didn't touch on that you'd like to add?

SPEAKER_00 14:29

No, just looking forward to meeting more members in a couple weeks. As you mentioned, I'm the new director of government affairs and started back in August of last year. So it's always a pleasure to meet more members, get to learn all the great work that you all do and being a part of the HVAC R and water heated industry.

SPEAKER_03 14:45

I did not realize this was going to be your first policy symposium. That is excellent.

SPEAKER_00 14:49

Yeah. Very exciting.

SPEAKER_03 14:51

I think you're gonna love it. Well, thank you so much for joining me, Joe.

SPEAKER_00 14:55

No, thank you.

SPEAKER_03 15:04

Last but not least, we have policy analyst Riley Poole. She is one of the key drivers in scheduling all of the Capitol Hill meetings that will happen on May 19th. Riley, thanks for joining me. Thanks, Reagan. So I'm excited you're here because I have always been curious about how this works. How do you go about scheduling more than a hundred meetings that will all happen on the same day?

SPEAKER_01 15:25

Yeah, we typically start out with a House and Senate target list. So this usually comprises the Senate Environment Public Works Committee, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, as well as the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and we'll go through that list and contact their staffers with a kind of generic invite email. Once we've kind of handled that, we'll dig into the rest of the broader House and Senate, as well as states that have a large manufacturing footprint or have a lot of jobs that are contract related or H vacuum water heating industry related. But this year we came up with the idea of using a shared inbox so that everyone involved kind of has access to that and it mitigates any scheduling issues or communication issues day of. So really we just we schedule, we have a tally system on our whiteboards. Feel free to stop by and check that out. It's kind of like a fantasy football draft, but for Hill Day meetings that we've been using to track. That way we'll know how many meetings we need, what time we need them for. But really, it's just a lot of time on email.

SPEAKER_03 16:35

So we know that this year's fantasy football winner is going to come from the policy team.

SPEAKER_01 16:39

Right, right. Hopefully it's me, but we'll see.

SPEAKER_03 16:43

There's still time. So, how many Capitol Hill groups are we expecting this year? And about how many meetings will each group attend?

SPEAKER_01 16:51

So this year we are expecting between 18 to 20 groups. It might be a little smaller this year and more intimate, uh, which is always uh it makes a really fun day when you get to be more one-on-one with membership. And then for meetings, between seven to eight, either all on the House side, all on the Senate side, or for some of the unlucky people, both. And that's when you'll get your steps in.

SPEAKER_03 17:17

Believe that. So these visits, like you said, they're an important way to show Congress, you know, how diverse our industry is by showcasing all the different types of companies that manufacture HVACR and water heating equipment. What are the other benefits that you've picked up on of attending these in a group?

SPEAKER_01 17:33

Yeah, that's a really good question. I think beyond those factors you listed, it really is just a day that you get to hang out with people that you don't typically interact with with our committees here, at least on the policy side. They're closed committees comprised of people that see each other every month and have worked together for a very long time. Policy Symposium is not closed like that. So oftentimes you're in a group with people you've either never met or work on completely unrelated things. So you not only get to voice policies and different legislation that is important to our industry, but it's just a day that you get to mingle with others, learn new things about different companies. And really, oftentimes the best moments are when you're walking, I guess I should say running between meetings, just in the hallway chatting. So I think it it makes you more knowledgeable of everyone involved.

SPEAKER_03 18:29

Yeah, I think that's a really good way to put it. I felt that way at State Summit this year. It felt like there's the networking events, which is a great opportunity to talk to everyone, but it almost felt like you really get to know people more during these legislative visits.

SPEAKER_01 18:42

Right, definitely. And it's just it's fun for the members to get to know each other more.

SPEAKER_03 18:49

So you will be leading a group this year. Can you walk me through your day in the life on Capitol Hill with AHRI members?

SPEAKER_01 18:56

Yes. So my day always, no matter what the Hill Day is, starts with a 0.5 wide angle photo with my group. It's something that I have now gotten asked about, and I think members like it. And I've seen them on LinkedIn. It's just funny to start the day that way, and those are always my favorite photos. So after we check that off, we'll usually go to our first meeting. You kind of get into the groove of it, you figure out your script, uh, who who says what. And I I think around the third meeting is kind of when you move into the having fun part. And of course, they'll be running around, there'll be late, early meeting times, meetings in the hallway, but it really is just fun. It's it's a day where you get to talk about this year, the Energy Policy Conservation Act and the modernization, as well as our HRI priorities, but also workforce development, which is a super important topic this year. But yeah, it it should be a fun day. It should just be a lot of of walking. You'll close your Apple watch rings if you use one of those.

SPEAKER_03 20:02

I believe that. So you mentioned the walking. What is your best advice for setting yourself up for success? So we know there will be the sessions on the issues, briefings, the handouts with our priorities, like you mentioned, to give to staff you meet with. But I'm thinking of things like wear comfortable shoes or pack snacks. So what's your Capitol Hill must do best advice?

SPEAKER_01 20:26

Yeah, I I don't have a perfect answer to this question because everyone's different. Like, yes, wear comfortable shoes. It may be hot outside, check the weather. I always make sure my water bottle is with me and that I learned quickly last year was very important. It's also okay to take a break if you need to take 10 minutes to go get a snack. If you're tired or hangry, it's you're allowed to do that. Go step outside, get some air. But we we do put a lot of useful information into our briefing materials. So as long as you're brushed up on that and what we are going to talk about on Hill specifically, you should be good to go. The members live this every day. This is their job. They have the stories, the anecdotes that Capitol Hill really appreciates. So it should be like muscle memory for them. But like I said earlier, just try to have fun. The day goes by so quick, and then we have to wait a whole other year. So as long as you feel confident and prepared in where the industry stands on EPCA and workforce development, which we provide to you, it it should just be really fun and and cheerful.

SPEAKER_03 21:34

I like that. Cheerful Capitol Hill visit.

SPEAKER_01 21:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 21:37

Well, thank you so much for joining us. Do you have anything else you would like to add?

SPEAKER_01 21:40

Nope. Just register, come join us. We're meticulously planning, and I think it's gonna be a really good event this year. There's a lot of momentum up there.

SPEAKER_03 21:49

It's great. Thank you for taking the time to tell me a little bit about what goes into this process so everyone can understand it. Yeah, thanks so much. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and rate our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And please feel free to share a lot of money.