ATSSA breaks attendance records for annual Legislative Briefing & Fly-In

Association’s annual advocacy day includes dozens of Capitol Hill meetings today

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (April 22, 2021) – More than 100 ATSSA members from across the country gathered this week for ATSSA’s annual Legislative Briefing & Fly-In, which provides members an opportunity to hear directly from transportation leaders and share their priorities with members of Congress and their staff.

ATSSA members voice their roadway safety infrastructure concerns and deliver their insights directly to the people engaged in policy and funding. The two-day event, held April 21 and 22, took place online for the second straight year due to the pandemic.

"Even with the pandemic changing our plans, ATSSA members understand the need to build long-lasting relationships with congressional offices and, once again, have taken up the call to advocate for our roadway safety industry,” said ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith. “These two days provide valuable exposure in our members’ efforts to advance roadway safety. The connections they make with policymakers from their states this week can have value for years to come.”

This year saw record-breaking participation with registration totaling 104 people representing 28 states and Washington, D.C. ATSSA’s Government Relations Team scheduled more than 60 meetings with Congressional offices, which are taking place throughout the day.

Among this morning’s online meetings was one in which ATSSA members from Ohio met with Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), who addressed their questions about transportation and infrastructure and expressed interest in visiting a member’s company plant in Columbus.

On April 21, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack addressed the group as did Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), ranking member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee,committee member Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who serves on the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

“The annual Legislative Briefing & Fly-In is the premier legislative conference hosted by ATSSA, which allows our members to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with lawmakers on Capitol Hill,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “In addition to advocating for roadway safety infrastructure funding, rural road safety policies and ensuring that the Highway Trust Fund is solvent for years to come, members introduce their own companies to congressional offices and describe how ATSSA members have a direct impact on moving Towards Zero Deaths on U.S. roads.”

Plans are already underway for ATSSA’s next Legislative Briefing & Fly-In slated for April 2022.