Ever dream about the chance to talk face-to-face with key decision-makers about the federal regulations that most affect your business — without traveling far from home to do so? Society of American Florists members in three southern states have the opportunity to do just that next month.

The U.S. Small Business Administration will host Regional Regulatory Reform Roundtables in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi during the week of June 3. “The purpose of the roundtables is to hear the concerns of business owners and others about the burden of federal regulations of how those burdens can be reduced,” said Shawn McBurney, SAF’s senior director of government relations.

“The information provided by participants will be used to inform agencies and Congress about regulations that could be modified or eliminated to help small businesses,” McBurney added, noting that the roundtables are part of a continuing SBA series.

In July 2017, SAF member Liza Roeser-Atwood, CEO of FiftyFlowers in Boise, Idaho, attended a similar meeting in her city. During that event, Roeser-Atwood discussed immigration issues and the proposed border adjustment tax.

“We had a great turnout” at the event, said Roeser-Atwood, who drew on her experience lobbying for the industry during SAF’s Congressional Action Days during the SBA discussion.

The first roundtable will take place on Tuesday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, 3414 One Place in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Click here for more information and to register.

The second roundtable will take place on Wednesday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 5069 Sanderlin Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. Click here for more information and to register

The third roundtable will take place on Thursday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hilton, 1001 East County Line Road in Jackson, Mississippi. Click here for more information and to register.

Mary Westbrook is the editor in chief of Floral Management.