Five tips for a successful trip to D.C.

1. Request appointments with your member of Congress now.

• City officials are strongly encouraged to request appointments in advance.
• Check the NLC app (Advocacy Day section) if you requested NLC make appointments on your behalf. NLC will also have an “Ask NLC” booth at the conference where you can get more information about meetings they scheduled for you.
• Be sure to join other Washington city officials on Tuesday, March 12 at 2:30 pm for our meeting with Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.
• Tours of the White House and Capitol must be scheduled in advance. Ask your congressperson’s staff to help you arrange any tours.

2. Allow adequate time to get to meetings.

• Traveling by Metro is often the most convenient and efficient way to get around. For Metro schedules, get the app on iTunes or Google Play. Otherwise, cabs and services such as Uber are abundant.
• Senate and House office buildings are secure, and you will be required to go through a metal detector and have your belongings scanned. Be sure to leave adequate time to clear security.
• Federal office buildings also have security requirements. If you are meeting with representatives of executive agencies (DOT, EPA, etc.) be sure to check with the person scheduling your meeting about the ID requirements and process. Some federal buildings require the enhanced driver’s license
• as proof of identity; if you don’t have an enhanced Washington driver’s license, you can use a passport. Most federal offices require visitors to be accompanied, so allow time to clear security and await the person accompanying you/your group.

3. Be prepared.

• Know what you want to talk about. Be concise but cover the points you want to make. Limit yourself to a few key issues. Most meetings last less than 30 minutes, so budget your time wisely and leave time for discussion.
• Use your city as an example. Explain why an issue is important to you and people in your city. Speak from your personal experience and illustrate your points with real people and examples, if possible. Explain the consequences that adverse action or failure to act will have on your city.

4. Offer yourself as a resource.

• Members of Congress and their staff are sponges for useful information. They make decisions on hundreds of issues each year and do not have time to become personal experts in all of them. Make yourself the person they can turn to.
  • Do you have good data? Share it!
  • Is your legislator supportive of one of your priorities? Offer to help them respond to concerns.
  • Do you have information to share with AWC? Call and offer yourself as a resource to the AWC Government Relations staff.

5. Follow up when you get home.

• Be sure to thank your member (or staff) for meeting with you.
• Reinforce why your city’s issues are important.
• Remind them that you are available as a resource in their local community.
• Invite them to tour city hall or to visit a city project with you.