Manufacturers Tell Washington “Hear Us”

Hundreds of manufacturers descended on Washington last week for the 2017 Manufacturing Summit, the National Association of Manufacturers’ annual fly-in.

Here are my three takeaways from the event:

1. Washington is listening to manufacturers.

That was evident in the lineup of speakers who came to address the hundreds of manufacturers who descended on Washington: from Vice President Pence, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt spent time meeting with a group of manufacturers as well. They were eager to talk about our priorities—tax reform, regulatory reform, infrastructure investment and workforce development—and how we can work together to accomplish the goals and deliver a transformational jolt to our industry.

Here are a few impressive stats that demonstrate our impact:

·        500+ Participants

·        225 Meetings held on Capitol Hill

·        550+ Press hits

·        108 Member of Congress Interactions

·        1,351,936 Livestream viewers

·        57,595,153 Digital users reached

2. This is our moment.

Now is the time to get our leaders to act on our agenda; we don’t have time to waste. We have to seize this moment.

Speaker Ryan chose the NAM Summit as the venue for his first major address on tax reform. He told the audience, “Transformational tax reform can be done, and we are moving forward. Full speed ahead.” He said Congress will “give it all we have.” We need to do the same.

Vice President Pence pledged continued White House action on regulatory relief and infrastructure investment. Secretary Acosta and Leader McCarthy urged manufacturers to help shape workforce development efforts.

I encourage you to watch these leaders’ remarks here.

3. Advocacy must be a year-long priority.

This successful event cannot be a once-a-year affair. Manufacturers across the country have to be active and vocal all year long to make a difference—to ensure our leaders hear us.

That’s why, this year, we urged everyone to take the Manufacturing Challenge—10 actions that will advance our cause. The NAM has invested resources to equip our members and their employees with the tools needed to be effective advocates any day of the year. If you need help, just ask.

Learn more at www.nam.org/mfgchallenge/ or by texting MFGChallenge to 52886.

The Manufacturing Army is more than 12 million men and women who make things in America—and millions more who believe in the promise of our work. We cannot and will not be ignored. This our moment. Let’s seize it.