The Society of American Florists’ Congressional Action Days gives the floral industry an opportunity to speak to Congress with one voice. That advocacy is more important than ever because of rising costs, stalled supply chains and labor shortages.
Rising costs. Stalled supply chains. Labor woes.
Make sure Congress understands the impact of these challenges on your business. Join your peers at SAF’s 42nd annual Congressional Action Days March 28-29 in Washington, D.C. to tell your story to legislators.
Congressional Action Days is an opportunity for members of the floriculture industry to show Capitol Hill that our industry matters — and that we vote. During past Congressional Action Days SAF members successfully increased funding and expanded reach for the Floriculture Crops Summary, maintained funding levels for the Floriculture and Nursey Research Initiative, advocated for the need for duty-free access to fresh product, and highlighted the challenges in agriculture labor. CAD is returning as an in-person event in 2022.
The long hiatus of in-person meetings is making our/your time on Capitol Hill even more impactful. Legislators are eager to forge relationships with constituents with election season looming. “Members of Congress and their staffs want to reconnect with their constituents in person so they better understand the issues they should be talking about on the campaign trail,” says SAF Senior Lobbyist Joe Bischoff. “CAD attendees can take advantage of this environment to focus legislators on the issues that are affecting them and their businesses.”
CAD gives the floral industry an opportunity to speak to Congress with one voice — and that advocacy is more important than ever. “Every issue we bring to the Hill will be through the lens of the impact that increasing costs is having on the health of the industry,” says Kate Penn, SAF CEO. “We need to make sure Congress understands the importance of addressing agriculture labor challenges, funding floriculture research and maintaining duty-free access to fresh product — all of which can help combat the inflation burden on floral industry businesses. We’re excited to gather in person again for this time-honored and important event for our industry.”
“If we want things to change, we must be involved and invest our time in getting our needs and perspective to the table with lawmakers,” says past CAD attendee Toomie Farris, AAF, AIFD of McNamara Florist in Indianapolis, Indiana. “SAF’s Congressional Action Days makes that possible. SAF organizes it so that you can learn a lot and help to move the dial on issues.”
Mark your calendars for March 28-29 and look for registration details soon.
Katie Butler is the senior vice president of the Society of American Florists
