Advocating for Wichita Business

A recap of the Chamber’s recent Government Relations activities One of the Chamber’s four focus areas is advocating for responsible regulations and policies. Providing opportunities for the Wichita business community to connect and form relationships with our elected and government officials is an important part of that advocacy effort. You’ll find highlights below from four events the Chamber hosted over the last several weeks. Washington D.C. Fly-In Each year, the Chamber coordinates a Washington D.C. Fly-In, where members of the Wichita business community meet with the lawmakers who represent our state. This year's three-day Washington Fly-In (May 17-19) included sixteen representatives from a diverse group of industries and interests providing input to elected officials and government staff about the challenges facing the region's businesses. The schedule included meetings at the Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and tours of the White House. Visits with each member of the Kansas Delegation included discussions about the importance of exporting Kansas wheat, cattle, aircraft and other products and services, as well trade issues, reauthorization of the FAA bill, healthcare legislation and the status of the Ozone Standards Implementation Act. The Department of Labor Overtime Rule changes were announced on the second day of the group's visit to the nation's capital and the implications to local businesses were part of every conversation with the Kansas delegation. See a short video recap of the trip below. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUfyaIvYbbgembed] Secretary Soave Visits Wichita The Chamber co-hosted an after-work reception with the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio J. Soave on May 25. Soave was appointed to the position by Governor Sam Brownback late last year, and more than one hundred business leaders and elected officials turned out to hear his remarks about the business climate in Kansas. Find a more detailed recap of the event here. Federal Forum with Senator Jerry Moran U.S. Senator Jerry Moran made a stop in Wichita on June 1 to address 115 attendees at a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. The Senator spoke favorably about the people of Wichita and about his passion "to make things better for Kansas." See a recap of the Senator's main talking points here. Legislative Dinner The Chamber hosted an event in Wichita this week that provided Government Relations sponsors an opportunity to meet with elected officials over dinner to discuss the 2016 legislative session. More than 125 people attended the event and interacted with their representatives. A more detailed recap of the Washington Fly-In trip and a wrap up of the 2016 legislative session appeared in the June 3 issue of The Advocate, a members-only digital newsletter focused on government relations issues. Please contact Cindy Todd at ctodd@wichitachamber.org if you are interested in subscribing to The Advocate.