American Wire Producers Association

Steel Wire and Wire Products for America and the World

Meeting Highlights

Registration is Now Open for the AWPA Government Affairs Conference

This year’s GAC is being held September 15-17, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill, in Washington DC. This two-day program will provide valuable time with colleagues, insight into legislation and policy which impacts your business, and the opportunity to continue and strengthen relationships with your Congressional Representatives. AWPA has designed a strong program for this very important meeting. The program opens with a reception, for meeting old friends and checking in with your knowledgeable industry colleagues. The General Session on Thursday will include a briefing on China trade issues by a representative from USTR, and a discussion by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) on the creation of the Congressional Wire and Wire Products Caucus. Congressional Visits will be scheduled Thursday afternoon. Click here for a printed brochure.

We urge attendees to register early for the conference, especially if you are planning Congressional visits. Washington is incredibly busy and Congress will be in recess in August, giving AWPA Staff little time to set up your visits. Early registration is much appreciated and will help make sure your visits go smoothly. The registration fee covers all business and social functions sponsored by the Association, including the scheduling of Congressional Visits. Spouses are invited, at no charge, to attend as guests of the AWPA and are welcome at all functions.

Registration is available online at the AWPA website. To register for the conference you will need to login with the email address we have on file for you and your personal password. If you have not logged onto the AWPA Members Site before, your password is your last name in lowercase letters. Upon login, you will be asked to personalize your password for future use. If you have ever attended an AWPA meeting, or receive regular emails from AWPA, you already have a record in the database. Please do not create a new record. If you have trouble accessing your record, please call 703-299-4434 for assistance.

Spouse/guest registration is listed online in the section ‘Sessions’. Please make sure his/her name is listed in the ‘Manage Special Requests and Guest Information’ section, and the ‘Spouse or Guest Registration’ Session is checked.

Early Bird Registration – On or before August 27, 2010

Online Credit Card Payment: $460
Check Payment or Fax Registration: $490

What’s New

Congressional Visits – You Are the Best Voice for the Industry

This year’s Congressional Visits will take place on Thursday afternoon from 1:45 pm until 5:00 pm, and will be followed by a reception on Capitol Hill. Congressional Visits are, as always, very important to your company and to the AWPA. Legislators need to hear from you - their constituents - on how vital the domestic wire industry is to their district and state. Keep an eye on your inbox - AWPA will be sending information on the issues throughout the summer in The Wire-AWPA News and Events, so that you have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with all the facts you need to communicate with your Congressional Representatives.

You will be armed with the current results of the Industry Identification Project to illustrate to your legislators how much your company, and the industry as a whole, means to their district, state and the nation. You will also be sent the final White Papers that clearly outline AWPA’s issues and positions on policy, regulation and legislation. This year, attendees will meet with their legislators on Capitol Hill to discuss China trade problems, the Wire and Wire Products Caucus, and the state of the domestic rod, wire and wire products industry. Presently, there is movement on a possible currency bill in Congress, should China’s announcement to revalue the yuan prove to be just a small gesture to satisfy the Administration. Attendees will discuss this issue with their legislators and ask for support of the Currency bill and help to move it forward. Specific action will depend upon what progress the bill has made by September.

When you register for the Government Affairs Conference, be sure you check the box for the session labeled “Congressional Visits,” and if you have specific Members of Congress you would like to meet with, please forward an email request to the AWPA Office at info@awpa.org.

Make Your Hotel Reservation Now – September Is Busy in Washington DC!

This year we will return to the Hyatt Regency Washington, a premier hotel located in the heart of Capitol Hill. This ideal location will allow you to maximize your time while in Washington. Strategically located, the Hyatt provides easy access to all the attractions of our nation’s capitol, Congress, and Reagan National Airport. Reservations must be made on or before Wednesday, August 18, 2010. To ensure these special rates and rooms are available, make your reservation early. September is a particularly busy time in the nation’s capitol and hotel rooms are at a premium. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

AWPA members are responsible for making their own hotel reservations by calling the hotel reservations department directly at 202.737.1234 or 800.233.1234 or by making your reservation online. Identify yourself as an AWPA Government Affairs Conference attendee to receive the special group rate of $229/night plus taxes for single or double occupancy. The group rate is available two days prior and two days after the meeting dates, based on availability. All rooms must be guaranteed by credit card at the time of reservation.

Managed by Amber Association Partners, LLC an association management company

You received this email because you subscribed to AWPA’s mailing list. To ensure your receipt of copies of this email in the future, please add mail@awpa.org to your address book.