Independent and buy-here, pay-here dealers from across the U.S. are arriving in the nation's capital today for one of their association's most significant events of the year.

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association's National Leadership Conference and Legislative Summit convenes in Washington, D.C., for the fourth consecutive year, giving independent dealers the opportunity to meet face-to-face with legislators and regulators and make the voices of independent dealers and small businesses heard.

The conference, which begins today at the Dupont Circle Hotel, will be highlighted by Wednesday’s Day on the Hill, when 14 teams of dealers and industry partners will participate in more than 80 meetings with congressional offices, advocating in support of Rep. Jeb Hensarling's Financial CHOICE Act and against a blanket ban on sales of recalled vehicles by independent dealers.

NIADA indicated both of those numbers will be the most ever for the NLC.

In addition, Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) will speak at Tuesday night's PAC Cup Dinner and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) is the featured speaker for Wednesday's Power Lunch during the Day on the Hill.

And today, the conference's opening day will be capped by a new event, the Friends of the Auto Industry Congressional Member Reception, a meet-and-greet scheduled to include appearances by nine U.S. Representatives. That group includes:

Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas)
Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.)
Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.)
Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)
Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.)
Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.)
Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.)
Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.)
Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.)

Tuesday's agenda includes regulatory briefings from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice.

“The National Leadership Conference and Legislative Summit is one of our association's most important events,” NIADA chief executive officer Steve Jordan said.

“By coming as a group, NIADA shows Congress we are a large, committed force representing an industry that has a huge nationwide impact on America’s economy and its communities — a force that must be taken seriously,” Jordan went on to say.