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What the heck is going on in DC? And why you should pay attention!

Shane DowneyDirector, Public PolicyGlobal Business Travel Association

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“Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”        - Abraham Lincoln

 

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Global Advocacy

• Passenger Safety, Privacy & Efficiency

• Health of Travel the Travel Infrastructure

• Fair Taxation & Fees

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GBTA Advocating for You

• Increase PFC from $2.50 per passenger to $5.00

– incremental increases of 50 cents from 2013 to 2017

• $7.50 per one-way trip in FY 2017

• S. 1476 – cut government travel by 75%

• U.S. Visa Policy

– In the past 10 years, overseas travel - increased by 40%

• United States’ share of international arrivals dropped from 17 to 12.4%

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Legislative Symposium Scholarship

• Chapters that have met Partner status by TBD

– Drawing

• 2 chapters will get 1 registration and $500.00 for expenses

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Helping Chapter Liaisons

• Name of Committee – Government Relations

• Place Capwiz widget on website

– http://www.capwiz.com/nbta/dbq/stickers/?command=fedstickers

• Put online PAC donor link on website

– https://secure.donationreport.com/donate.html?key=WLXVYZPCEMI1

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Government Relations Committee

• Using the GRC as a resource

– Dianne Bradley – Chair (Austin BTA)

• Toni Bonnette-Verdi (DFW BTA)

• Jennifer Steinke (AZ BTA)

• Cindy Gillen (Chicago BTA)

• Max Schroeder (Chicago BTA)

• Jeff Johnson (Rocky Mountain BTA)

• Jim Lennon (Conn/West BTA)

• Making the Liaison a part of the Chapter meeting program

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2011 Chapter Challenge Partners

Arizona BTA

Austin (TX) BTA

Central & North Florida BTA

Chicago BTA

Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) BTA

Georgia BTA

Michigan BTA

North Central (MN) BTA

North Carolina BTA

New England BTA

Ohio Valley BTA

Pittsburgh BTA

Rocky Mountain BTA

Texas (Houston) BTA

St. Louis BTA

Silicon Valley BTA

Utah BTA

Virginia BTA

Wisconsin BTA

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2011 Chapter Challenge Winners

Large Division – Texas BTA

Mid Size Division – Ohio Valley BTA

Small Division – Arizona BTA

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6th Chapter Challenge is ON!

NBTA is challenging it 40 Chapters to engage their elected officials

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Chapters meeting these 5 tasks will be recognized as Partners

• 30% of membership sends a communication to one of their elected officials through the Legislative Action Center

• Invite an elected official to speak at a chapter meeting or host an NBTA Government relations focused meeting

• Chapter sends a letter to their Representative or Senator endorsing an NBTA endorsed bill or vote

• Request a meeting with an elected official in your state

• Raise $1,000 in PAC contributions regardless of Chapter size, must have 30% of members contribute

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30% of membership sends a communication to one of their elected officials through the Legislative Action Center

• Chicago BTA (Morgan Cook)

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Invite an elected official to speak at a chapter meeting or host an NBTA Government relations focused meeting

• New England BTA recently had

– Securing the Speaker

– Expectations vs. Reality

• futile quest

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Request a meeting with an elected official in your state

• Pittsburg BTA met with Rep. Altmire in pitt

– Setting up a local meeting

• Different atmosphere

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Raise $1,000 in PAC contributions regardless of Chapter size

• 30% of members contribute

• Chapters that raise most money Win– Division of Chapters

• Division 1 = less than 100

• Division 2 = 101 to 150

• Division 3 = 151 and greater

– Based on 2009 reported totals

• Texas BTA – Christle Johnson

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Impact the Debate

• Legislative Action Center

– http://capwiz.com/nbta/home/

What is the Impact to My Program if I Don’t Act?

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Political Action Committee

NBTAPAC MISSION: Make the United States Congress not only pro-business travel but pro-GBTA

What is the NBTAPAC?• An association of people who voluntarily pool financial resources to

support candidates of office who understand and support the business travel industry

NBTAPAC is the only PAC that represents the business travel industry’s concerns

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NBTAPAC and You

It all starts with YOU who

contributes to the NBTAPAC who

donates to Congressional campaigns that support the business travel industry who

works once elected to promote our issues through legislation and voting

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PAC Contribution Rules

PAC Donation Limits • A person can only contribute up to $5,000 to a PAC per

calendar year

NBTAPAC Cannot Accept: • Contributions from Corporations

• Contributions from Chapters

• Contributions Non-US citizens who are not permanent residents

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How to Donate

Fill out NBTA PAC Contribution form

• Cash, personal check or credit card acceptable

– One time or Monthly options

GBTA website

• http://www2.nbta.org/usa/govermentrelations/Pages/NBTAPAC.aspx

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NBTAPAC Donor Levels

SHOW Your Dedication to the Industry

• Contributors at the following levels are recognized at Convention

– PLATINUM MEMBERS  -  $2,000 +  GOLD MEMBERS  -  $1,000 +SILVER MEMBERS  -  $500 +BRONZE MEMBERS  -  $100 +

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Shane Downey

(703) 236 – 1131

sdowney@gbta.org

Questions & Comments