Grassroots Fly Ins

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+

What We Lobby For  •  Federal  •  State  –  Preven2on in the health  –  All 50; lobbyists in 14  care reform debate  –  Sales tax on health club  –  Personal Health  dues  Investment Today Act  –  Burdensome business  (HR 245)  regula2ons  –  Workforce Health  –  Tax credits  Improvement Program  –  AEDs  Act (HR 1748/S 1038) 

Ladder of Advocate Engagement  Ofﬁce visits Phone calls Emails Petitions

7th Annual Summit for a Healthier America  May 6‐7, 2009  | Washington, DC 

Objec2ves  Advance Progression of 2 Federal Bills By Increasing Congressional Support Via Constituent Lobbying Building Engage relationships constituents in Provide an between key excellent constituents and experience Congressional Members of districts Congress

Good to Great   in a bad economy and a new landscape in DC  •  Integrated advocacy–  •  More personalized  two events and online  a_en2on  campaign  –  Customized lobbying  materials, robust  •  Name change  district proﬁles  •  Mee2ng format  •  Increase impact of  •  Congressional targets  lobbying  •  Fewer a_endees  •  Build more eﬀec2ve  •  Travel scholarships  rela2onships 

Event Timeline 2008  •  Wednesday  •  Thursday  –  Early Morning Workouts  –  Networking Breakfast  –  Orienta2on  –  General Session with  Feature Speaker  –  Issues Brieﬁng  –  9:30am‐4pm Hill  –  1‐ 4pm Hill Mee,ngs  Mee,ngs  –  Panel Discussion  –  Closing Recep2on  –  Networking Recep2on  –  Keynote Speaker & Dinner 

Event Timeline 2009  •  Wednesday  •  Thursday  –  Orienta2on/Issues Brieﬁng  –  Networking Breakfast  –  Panel Discussion  –  9:30am‐4pm Hill  Mee,ngs  –  Networking Recep2on  –  Closing Recep2on  –  Dinner  Abbreviated 2meline =   $131,000 in savings from logis2cs budget  More funds available for travel scholarships 

Target Priority Detailed Marketing Register Districts Survey Schedule Email from Briefing Book Email Updates Meetings Scheduler Grassroots Arrive on Site Briefing Binder Issue Briefing Orientation Staff at Follow-up Evaluations Meetings

Post‐Summit Follow‐Up  Advocate Legislative Meeting Analyst Evaluation Congressional Legislative Ofﬁces Analyst DC Lobbyists

Internal Responsibili2es  •  Public Policy:   •  Mee2ngs  –  GR strategy   –  Logis2cs  –  Mee2ng scheduling  •  Sponsorship  –  Marke2ng  –  Covers 50% of  –  Advocate training  expenses  •  Member Service  –  Telemarke2ng to target  districts 

Enhancing the  Experience  •  Brieﬁng Book  –  Mailed 2 weeks prior  –  Very detailed  –  ‘Everything advocates  could ever need to know’ 

Enhancing the Experience  •  Phone calls  •  Webinars  •  Emails  •  YouTube videos  •  On‐site brieﬁng book  •  Increase interac2on  among clubs in district  –  Detailed proﬁles include  prior to visit  bio’s, caucuses, co‐ sponsors  •  Orienta2on 

Things to Watch Out For  •  Scheduling  –  2 staﬀers, 80% of their 2me for 6 weeks  •  Cancella2ons  –  Policies  •  Managing expecta2ons (and egos)  •  Groups that are too large (MD, VA) 

Breanne McGahey Public Policy Communications & Advocacy Manager International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association bqm@ihrsa.org | 800-228-4772 ext. 180

Grassroots Fly Ins

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