Jeff Martin gave what he called an “honest pitch” for operators to get involved with the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association when it hosts its 12th annual National Policy Conference on Sept. 28-29 in Washington, D.C.

“This isn’t a conference built around trade show floors or vendor booths. It’s built around access — direct, face-to-face access — to the legislators, regulators, and staff members who write the rules our industry operates under,” the NIADA CEO wrote in an industry message. “You’ll spend time on Capitol Hill, sit in on briefings covering the issues actually moving through Congress right now, and walk into meetings with your own representatives as a constituent and a business owner in their district

“That last part matters more than people realize,” Martin continued. “Lawmakers hear from lobbyists, trade groups, and national associations constantly. What they hear far less often is from the dealer down the street from their district office; the person who employs their neighbors, sponsors the local Little League team, and can explain in plain terms exactly how a proposed bill would affect a real business and real customers. That voice carries weight precisely because it’s rare.

“One good conversation with a member of Congress or their staff can do more to shape a policy outcome than a hundred position papers,” Martin added.

The second day of the event is when dealers will head to Capitol Hill for scheduled meetings with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the issues directly affecting their dealerships and customers, followed by a Capitol Hill lunch at the Library of Congress sponsored by Agora and a closing reception in the House Budget Committee Hearing room sponsored by PassTime.

NIADA said last year’s National Policy Conference drew 150 attendees, produced 123 meetings on Capitol Hill, and helped raise $104,255 for the NIADA PAC, underscoring the growing role independent dealers are playing in shaping the policies that affect their industry.

The conference kicks off on Sept. 28 with a general session featuring a panel of experts and industry leaders discussing how dealers can influence positive policy outcomes through citizen activism and grassroots involvement.

NIADA said attendees will then hear regulatory updates directly from officials representing the Federal Trade Commission and the Internal Revenue Service, followed by a detailed briefing on the next day’s Capitol Hill logistics and policy priorities, along with an update on recent legislative and regulatory activity in Washington.

That evening, attendees will gather for a PAC reception sponsored by Solera featuring remarks from Rep. Andy Barr, a Kentucky Republican and chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions.

Other key topics on this year’s agenda include right to repair legislation, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) reform, catalytic converter theft prevention, and reform at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

“This year’s conference comes at a pivotal moment for the industry, with reforming the CFPB, protecting the right to repair, fighting catalytic converter theft and modernizing FCRA liability all active in Congress,” NIADA director of government relations and compliance Patrick O’Brien said in a news release. “No one understands the challenges facing independent dealers better than the dealers themselves, and the National Policy Conference gives them a direct opportunity to explain those challenges to the people writing the laws.

“That kind of firsthand advocacy is exactly what moves these issues forward,” O’Brien added.

The conference will be held at the Willard InterContinental in Washington.

“Our voice in Washington only gets stronger when dealers show up and make their case,” Martin said in the news release. “The National Policy Conference is grassroots involvement in action, and it’s what gives NIADA the credibility to advocate for our members all year long.”

For more information or to register, visit www.niada.com/policyconference.