National Restaurant Association: How to Advocate Like a Pro

July 21, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (CDT)

Description

Inside the Hill: How to Advocate Like a Pro

Advocacy is most effective when it’s personal. Building strong, lasting relationships with your members of Congress—and their staff—is critical to ensuring the restaurant industry’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill and back home.

Join the National Restaurant Association for an advocacy bootcamp designed to help you engage confidently and effectively with policymakers. Led by Dan Roehl, the Association’s House lobbyist alongside a current Capitol Hill Chief of Staff, this interactive session will offer an insider’s perspective on how congressional offices operate and what makes advocacy efforts stand out.

Participants will gain practical guidance on preparing for Hill meetings, communicating key industry priorities, and making your message resonate. The conversation will also highlight the importance of timely and thoughtful follow-up, as well as strategies for strengthening relationships when lawmakers are in their districts—including hosting restaurant tours, roundtables, and other on-the-ground engagement opportunities.

Designed for Association members and prospective members alike, this session will include live Q&A, offering the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from experienced practitioners on how to elevate your advocacy efforts.

Key Takeaways

Participants will learn:

• How to navigate Hill meetings: What to expect in meetings with congressional offices, how to prepare, and how to make the most of your time with members and staff.
• How to communicate your story effectively: Tips for clearly and concisely speaking about key industry issues in a way that resonates with policymakers.
• Why follow-up matters: Best practices for reinforcing your message after meetings and building long-term relationships with congressional offices.
• How to engage beyond Washington: The importance of connecting with lawmakers in their home districts and how to create meaningful opportunities—like restaurant tours and roundtables—that bring your story to life.
• How to strengthen your advocacy impact: Actionable strategies to build relationships, stay engaged, and ensure your voice is part of the policymaking process.