ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Equipment Dealers Assn. (EDA), in conjunction with its regional affiliates, Far West Equipment Dealers Assn., Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Assn., Midwest-Southeastern Equipment Dealers Assn. and United Equipment Dealers Assn. have released their Virtual Legislative Fly-In Agenda.

The groups typically hold their annual Fly-In in Washington, D.C. in March, but the onset of COVID-19 forced them to cancel the event for 2020. “We are disappointed we won’t get to D.C. this year,” said Natalie Higgins, vice president of government relations, “but after weighing all of our options, we decided that it was in the best interest of our members and staff to wait. However, our legislative priorities remain the same, so it was important to us to find an alternative way to get members involved in our advocacy.”

Instead, the associations have worked to put together a robust virtual fly-in, including programming that is comparable to what would have happened in person in D.C. The schedule includes panels on rural infrastructure and regulatory reform as well as briefings from the EPA and Department of Commerce. The virtual fly-in even includes meetings with legislators. “One of the most enjoyable and influential activities at our annual fly-in is the opportunity to meet face-to-face with a member of Congress,” says Kim Rominger, CEO. “Since we can’t sit in their offices they’re joining us virtually for a candid conversation about topics that are important to equipment dealers.”

All sessions are meant to be intimate and exclusive, just like the trip to Washington. Dealers must be active EDA members to attend and no more than 50 attendees will be permitted per session. There are four longer format sessions that include a policy briefing and a meeting with a legislator, plus a fifth session focused on the 2020 election.

Session dates & Topics:
July 15: Infrastructure Panel + Off the Record with Mitch McConnell - Invited
July 29: EPA Right to Repair Enforcement Update + Off the Record with Congressman Mike Bost
August 12: Regulatory Reform Panel + Off the Record with Joni Ernst - Invited
August 26: Commerce & Trade Update + Off the Record with Cory Gardner - Invited
September 9: 2020 Election Analysis & Update
 
Click here for Full Session Details
 
Dealers who wish to attend one or more sessions can contact Alex Hoffman with EDA to verify membership status and RSVP.  Please email those requests to ahoffman@equipmentdealer.org.