ALEXANDRIA, Va. -

Like their contemporaries at the National Automobile Dealers Association, leaders from the American International Automobile Dealers Association are urging dealer principals to reach out to members of Congress as they adjourn for their summer recess.

AIADA insisted the best way to forge a meaningful relationship with elected officials is through its Dealer Visit Program.

“We rely on the involvement of our dealers to make an impact on legislators and policymakers,” AIADA said. “There is no better time to host your member of Congress at your dealership.”

The AIADA Dealer Visit Program can allow members of Congress to see first-hand the challenges and rewards of running a successful dealership.

The experience generally consists of a one-hour visit where the lawmaker will come to the dealership, conduct a mini town hall forum with managers and store employees, and tour the facility. By opening the dialogue between dealers and lawmakers, AIADA emphasized both parties can learn about each other’s businesses.

“It is an opportunity to jump start a vital one-on-one relationship between dealers and elected officials and provides the members with a look into how the decisions made in Washington affect the daily lives of dealers and their employees,” the association said.

Last summer, Stevenson Honda in Wilmington, N.C., hosted Rep. David Rouzer, a North Carolina Republican.

“The opportunity was invaluable,” Stevenson Honda general manager Patrick Koballa said about the event that included “a thoughtful discussion about automotive industry issues.”

Koballa added, “Congressman Rouzer got a chance to see the day-to-day operations of our business and how his decisions in Washington impact our community, and Stevenson Honda employees got a chance to talk one-on-one with a key decision-maker in Washington.”

AIADA said the best part of the Dealer Visit Program is the association said it will handle all the details — from scheduling and talking points to media advisories and event logistics.

AIADA acknowledged that August schedules are quickly filling up and now is the time to start planning for your visit. Dealers can contact Sarah Martinez, manager of grassroots and government relations, at Martinezs@AIADA.org or (703) 519-7800 to schedule a dealership visit.