Frequently Asked Questions
What is NADP Advocacy in Action?
NADP Advocacy in Action is the dental benefits industry’s advocacy fly-in to the nation’s capital. This is a very exciting opportunity for the industry to deliver its message and priorities through a strong, unified presence on the Hill. In-person visits with members of Congress will be essential in starting new relationships and strengthening existing ones.
NADP member representatives and volunteers will receive advocacy education and training on April 26 and then meet with their representatives in the U.S. Congress on April 27.
When and where is the NADP Advocacy in Action?
NADP Advocacy in Action will be held April 26-27 in Washington, D.C. with training at YOTEL WASHINGTON D.C. NADP member representatives and volunteers will receive advocacy education and training on April 26 and then meet with their representatives in the U.S. Congress on April 27. Click the "Schedule" tab in the above teal bar to view a tentative event schedule.
How do I register to attend?
Registration for AIA 2023 is now open and available in the horizontal teal bar of this webpage. There is no fee associated with registration.
When should I arrive in D.C.?
Advocates should arrive no later than 1:00 PM at the hotel on April 26. Advocates traveling from the West Coast may wish to arrive on the evening of April 25. Registration and training will be held that afternoon at the hotel.
Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest and most convenient airport to the hotel.
When should I depart D.C. after the event?
Your meetings with members of Congress will be scheduled to end by 5:00 pm ET on April 27. We will then gather for a Dutch treat dinner to catch up and share experiences from the day's meetings. Departing flights can be scheduled for that evening or the morning of April 28.
Why should I attend NADP Advocacy in Action?
Creating and maintaining strong relationships with policymakers and their staff is key to advancing positive dental benefit policy outcomes that increase consumer access to affordable, quality dental care. Studies continue to show that members of Congress and staff inboxes are seeing incredible increases in volume [i]. Managing the increased communications (and responding to advocacy campaigns that often produce form emails and letters) is in addition to the actual duties of lawmaking such as Committee meetings, voting, and drafting legislation. In-person meetings and creating personal connections with members of Congress and staff effectively deliver messages that will be remembered. Attendees will be able to connect with their elected representatives, see how government works, learn more about the industry’s priorities and gain valuable government relations training. Join us in DC to influence the future direction of health policy through face-to-face meetings with policymakers and their staffs.
…But I’ve never met with an elected official and I’m not my company’s spokesperson.
Advocates will come with a variety of backgrounds including government relations, public affairs, clinical, provider relations, sales, operations and marketing. While government relations professionals or lobbyists may be more experienced in communicating with policymakers, congressmen and women look to constituents from their districts or states for their experiences and perspectives on public policy issues. Also, your technical knowledge, clinical expertise, or personal relationship with the legislator may be invaluable for the discussions. While advocates meeting with their representatives for the first time can be nervous initially, it’s good to keep in mind that members of Congress are eager to hear from you. You don’t need to be an expert in the legislative process. NADP will provide pre-event webinars and on-site training that will allow you to practice your talking points. Also, advocates in state and regional groups will connect before the event and support each other during the meetings.
Who else will be attending NADP Advocacy in Action?
Volunteers and leaders from NADP member companies interested in advocating for the industry, learning more about the legislative process, and meeting with Members of Congress. Attendees will have a variety of backgrounds including government relations, public affairs, clinical, provider relations, sales, operations, and marketing.
How can I prepare for my meetings with members of Congress?
NADP will host opportunities for advocates to learn more about the legislative process and ask questions. During pre-event webinars, NADP will review industry advocacy issues and talking points. Advocates can also review recorded webinars on how to effectively communicate with Congressional offices. Links to recorded webinars are available in the “For Advocates” drop-down menu in the above teal bar. Click “Education and Training” to learn more.
What will we advocate for at the meetings with members of Congress? Will there be specific issues we will be discussing?
In all meetings, advocates will educate members of Congress and their staff on the industry and dental benefits with background and experience from their states and districts. NADP’s Commission on Advocacy Policy (CAP) and the Advocacy in Action Host Committee is charged with developing specific talking points on relevant issues.
Will I need to schedule meetings with Members of Congress?
No, NADP will schedule all your meetings with the Members of Congress and their staff. Please DO NOT try to schedule your own meetings. Some advocates may have relationships with congressional staff or Members of Congress that could be helpful to reference when scheduling meetings. In these cases, please let NADP staff know about those relationships and we will work together. It is very important that NADP be the coordinator and touch point for Congressional offices for logistical and scheduling reasons (to avoid groups having overlapping or duplicative appointments). Please feel free to reach out to staff with any questions.
[i] While constituent communication volumes have increased significantly, congressional office staff numbers have not generally increased since the 1970s.