May 12, 2000
PARTNERSHIP RELEASES AGENDA FOR ANNUAL D.C. LOBBYING TRIP

GREATER DES MOINES – May 12, 2000 – More than 135 local business and community leaders will participate in “DC2K,” the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s annual lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., June 14-16, 2000.  The agenda for the 2000 lobbying trip is built to advance these themes:  advocacy, education, and networking. 

“Our mission is three-pronged,” said 2000 Partnership ChairTeresa Wahlert, Vice President of US West-Iowa. “We will promote and secure federal funding for Greater Des Moines’ economic development and infrastructure projects, we want to increase understanding of federal policy initiatives and how they impact our members and our local economy, and we want to expand business opportunities for our members by developing new personal and professional relationships with Central Iowa business leaders, international trade representatives, as well as our governmental representatives at all levels,.”

This year the Partnership will focus its efforts on four regional agenda priorities:

Economic Development – designation of the City of Des Moines as an EPA      Showcase Community – specifically advancing the Riverpoint West project as a model of urban infill and revitalization;

Transportation – securing additional slots at Ronald Reagan National Airport in order to provide non-stop flights from Des Moines to Washington D.C.;

Workforce – increase the immigration cap for workers who qualify for H-1B Visas and to obtain additional federal resources for INS alien worker certification processors; and

International Trade – strengthen trade relations between Central Iowa businesses and China and promote congressional action to secure Permanent Normal Trading Relations (PNTR) status for China.

In addition to these initiatives, the Partnership will continue to promote the many regional and local priorities that are important to local businesses and the community.   

“This year’s trip to D.C. promises to be one of the most productive we’ve ever organized,” said Partnership President & CEO Mike Blouin. “Iowa’s congressional delegation has a great reputation for working together.  We will continue to build on the strength of these relationships during the trip.”

 

Event Highlights:

Wednesday, June 14, 2000

12:30 p.m. – Briefing on Future of E-commerce and Impact on business growth

1:30 p.m. – US Chamber of Commerce Briefing – China Policy (PNTR) Status

4:30 p.m.  – Iowa Delegation Update

5:30 p.m. – The Iowa Reception

Thursday, June 15, 2000

8:00 a.m.  – Congressional Breakfast

10:30 a.m. – Administration Briefing

2:00 p.m.  –  Congressional Staff and Agency Visits 

2:30 p.m. – Partnership Officer Press Briefing

Friday, June 16, 2000

8:00 a.m. – Congressional Staff Breakfast

9:45 a.m. – 1:30 pm  Small Group Visits,  Embassy Visits

3:00 p.m.  – Flight to Des Moines from Reagan Nat’l Airport

The Partnership delegation will depart from the Des Moines International Airport June 14, 2000 at 8 a.m. and will return June 16 in the early evening. To arrange interviews before, during or after the trip, please contact Susan Ramsey by voicemail at the Partnership, (515) 286-4954, or by cell phone at (515) 229-5618.

 

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