Automatic Merchandiser serves the business management, marketing, technology and product information needs of its readers including vending operators, coffee service operators, product brokers, and product and equipment distributors in print.
Issue link: http://automaticmerchandiser.epubxp.com/i/261865
ne of the most effective ways to educate elected offcials and successfully advocate on behalf of the industry is by having elected offcials visit your business loca- tions. Through the help of NAMA members, this has already become a successful part of the industry's grassroots advocacy program. Visits to NAMA member busi- nesses is important because it allows elected offcials to meet constituents and job-creators while obtaining a hands-on view of the industry by briefy immersing themselves into the day-to-day operations. Elected offcials vote and educate themselves on many issues, making it diffcult for them to become an expert in areas outside of their educational and employment backgrounds. These visits assist them in flling this educa- tional need as it relates to the vending and refreshment services industry. Before the visit To ensure a successful elected offcial visit the details must be care- fully planned from beginning to end. Industry leaders should begin this process by visiting their elected off- cials in the offcial's offce. This pro- vides the opportunity for everyone to become acquainted and the invi- tation to be made. Before or during these meetings, it is recommended that position papers on important industry issues be provided to the elected offcials to allow them to focus and educate themselves on industry priorities. Many other details are important to ensure a successful visit, including confrming directions and creat- ing an agenda. To protect everyone involved, ethics rules and laws should always be checked prior to the visit. For example, the federal ethics rules are very restrictive on anything of value being given to elected off- cials. This could include the banning of simple gifts such as coffee mugs or pens with your company logo. Lastly, contact information should be exchanged and a professional photographer should be secured to help produce great photos that can be used in media following the visit. During the event On the day of the visit, it is impor- tant that the person who invited the elected offcial greet them. The pho- tographer should be waiting outside to obtain photos of the greeting and should refrain from taking photos in hair nets or other potentially awkward visuals. The structure of the visit should begin with a short meeting, less than thirty minutes, where the elected offcial is briefed on the business overview, its history, the number of employees and community involve- ment. Also, special effort should be made to introduce the elected off- cials to employees. This is important to employee morale and allows the elected offcial to meet constituents. After the event Immediately following the visit, work should begin with NAMA to write and distribute a press release and social media on the visit. The profes- sional photos will be used for these media opportunities. It is also impor- tant to send hand-written and email thank you notes as soon as possible. This will help them to remember you and the industry. The fnal follow-up item is to consider attending other events hosted by the elected offcial. This continues to build the personal relationship. The events may include town halls, business roundtables and other elected offcial events. NAMA is appreciative of the industry's adoption of this advocacy tool and looks forward to helping to expand the number of elected offcials visits. O Elected offcial visit — Making it happen in your market Preparing and executing a facility tour is a great way to get involved in issues that affect the industry. Eric Dell is the senior vice president of government affairs for NAMA. 24 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com February 2014 N A M A I N S I G H T VISITS help elected offcials educate themselves on industry issues. autm_24-27_0214NAMAColumn_F.indd 24 2/5/14 2:29 PM