NAIFA is hosting the 12th annual Congressional Conference May 19-20 in Washington, D.C. Day 1 of the event at the Westin DC Downtown will feature targeted advocacy training with briefings on legislative issues that affect financial professionals’ businesses, clients, and communities. Washington insiders at Congressional Conference will offer attendees best practices for conducting congressional meetings and tips for developing impactful long-term relationships with legislators.
On Day 2, attendees will go to Capitol Hill for meetings with their Senators, Representatives, and congressional staff. They will discuss legislative issues important to their businesses and clients. This year’s legislative focus is tax reform, including provisions impacting pass-through businesses and the corporate state and local tax (C-SALT) deduction important to insurance companies and bearing on the cost of insurance products for consumers. The experiences of NAIFA members and their clients offer unique insights into the important work financial professionals do providing Main Street USA consumers with opportunities to achieve financial security and prosperity. Their stories illustrate how tax law and other policy decisions impact families, small businesses, and the overall economy.
Drawing on the example of Life Happens, a NAIFA community and producer of powerful Real Life Stories presentations, NAIFA members will tell stories about how their businesses are vital to the financial health of their clients. These are often heart-wrenching presentations that spotlight the importance of insurance and financial professionals and the products and services they provide in the lives of families and individuals across the country.
“Participating in political advocacy and contributing to the grassroots impact of NAIFA’s Congressional Conference are important ways insurance and financial professionals serve the best interests of American consumers,” said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. “Being involved in the political process goes hand-in-hand with providing crucial financial security products and services. NAIFA members work face-to-face every day with Main Street Americans who are the constituents of our elected officials. They understand better than anyone how laws and regulations made in our seats of power impact everyday consumers. Their stories resonate with lawmakers.”
NAIFA President Doug Massey, said, “The Congressional Conference is a hands-on event where financial professionals have meaningful influence and make a real difference. Meeting with our elected officials in their Capitol Hill offices is as thrilling as it is impactful. NAIFA’s political advocacy and the opportunities NAIFA provides to participate in the system, build relationships with lawmakers, and protect our industry and clients have been important to my own professional success.”
Featured speakers on Monday, May 20, include the Honorable Mike Flood (R-NE), Chairman of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. An expert panel on “Tax Reform and the Future of Financial Security” moderated by Laura Weiss, Tax Reporter at Punchbowl News will feature NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, American Council of Life Insurers Vice President of Tax Advocacy Doug Lathrop, New York Life Senior Vice President and Head of Governmental Affairs Julie Herwig, and NAIFA Trustee and financial professional Barb Pietrangelo. Panelists will offer insights on how financial professionals can help clients navigate the evolving tax-legislation environment and what the industry must do to ensure policies support financial security for all Americans.
NAIFA is the only association of insurance and financial professionals advocating at federal, state, and interstate levels. Through events like the Congressional Conference, state-level legislative days, and in-district meetings during the summer congressional recess, NAIFA develops and empowers members who are politically involved. NAIFA also offers members a training course known as the Financial Security Advocate Academy, which covers a continuum of topics on how to be effective in grassroots advocacy. Those who complete the course receive the Financial Security Advocate badge, which is displayed online and on social media.
The Congressional Conference bolsters NAIFA’s prestige among lawmakers and industry partners and enhances the association’s standing as the leading voice for producers. It is crucial for ensuring lawmakers thoroughly understand the important role financial services professionals play in:
The event is open to all financial services professionals, including those exploring membership in NAIFA.