Congressional Plant Tours
Below are a list of items to consider when organizing a congressional plant tour, as well as a U.S. Congressional plant tour sample invitation letter.
SETTING UP THE PLANT TOUR
- contact the district office at least 6 weeks in advance by phone and email - usually the office scheduler. Follow-up if no immediate response. Confirm the scheduled visit by phone and/or email
- aim for a Friday or Monday (lawmaker in the district) or Congressional District Work Period or recess
- once the tour is confirmed, contact the Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Washington Office
ORGANIZING THE PLANT TOUR
- prepare your facility to show its best side
- map out the tour ahead of time. Perform a walk-through to highlight new technologies, practices, procedures and areas of interest. Consider making name badges for key employees involved in the tour. Select who will greet the guests
- alert your employees
- consider posting a "welcome xxx" with name of lawmaker/staff on your sign outside or inside your plant
- do your homework in advance. Read up on your lawmaker/staff biography, voting record and committee assignments
- obtain talking points for key issues for discussion and handout materials from the Metalcasting Industry Government AffairsWashington office
- prepare folder with your company brochure, articles about your company, industry overview and industry position papers to distribute for the visit.
To download the U.S. Congressional sample plant tour invitation letter, click here.
For more information, contact Stephanie Salmon, Metalcasters Alliance for Government Affairs Office, at ss@wafed.com or 202/842-4864.
