The economy continues to struggle and Washington remains largely gridlocked by partisan infighting. Nevertheless, your industry needs you in Washington. Why?

TCIA, in conjunction with other green industry partners like PLANET, seeks to influence the laws and regulations that come out of Congress. Many of vital concern to commercial and utility arboriculture don’t generate headlines and, therefore, progress can't be made.

This summer we will be looking at how Congress resolves the issue of temporary work visits and illegal workers; union organizing of small businesses; restrictions on water use in the landscape; ergonomics rules for repetitive motion injuries; and levels of federal spending on invasive insects and urban forestry.

We advocate on your behalf without millions of dollars in campaign contributions. We can't hire dozens of former congressmen and staffers to go back and lobby their old colleagues still in power. Instead, we have to tell our stories ourselves.

You, a small business owner and voter, have a story to tell that can be as powerful as any lobbyist. You protect the environment, provide jobs, pay taxes, support your communities in any number of ways – and vote.

Your industry needs you in Washington, July 21-23, to tell your story. Join TCIA in making your voice heard by the elected officials who write the laws and regulations that affect your business. There is no one who knows tree care as well as you do. And there is no one a Senator or Representative wants to talk to more than a voter who cares.

Register Now or download a form to be mailed or faxed to (603) 314-5386

TCIA invites all members to gather in Washington, D.C., July 21-23, for the 2013 Legislative Conference and Day on the Hill. The event provides an opportunity to visit with your congressional representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss issues that affect the industry. Attendees will receive an issues briefing before their Hill visits, and first-time participants receive special attention and assistance from veterans of the event. TCIA has once again teamed with The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) as hosts.

Depending on your schedule, you can plan to arrive either Sunday or Monday. See below for a description of the conference’s events. See the schedule before making your travel arrangements!

The conference officially kicks off at 3:00 pm Monday afternoon with the keynote speaker, followed by issue briefings and the Opening Reception and Dinner.

For those who can’t arrive in Washington before 3:00 pm on Monday – or for those wish to spend some time in Washington before the conference – there will be a Reception at 6:30 pm Sunday evening. (In prior years, most attendees have arrived on Monday.)

Arrive Monday, July 22, in time for the keynote speaker, issue briefings and dinner.

3:00 p.m.
Keynote speaker will give attendees a look at current affairs and politics. He will discuss what is happening in the nation's capital.

4:00 p.m.
Briefings begin on key industry issues that will prepare and inform you on the topics you will be taking to your Representatives and Senators in the morning.

7:00 p.m.
Reception and Dinner

On Tuesday, we will start the day at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast on the Hill, then fan out to visit with our legislators. You will be part of a larger group on Tuesday for your visits – unless you want to detour on your own to stop in on your representative.

The landscape in Washington has changed dramatically since our last Legislative Conference in 2011. TCIA has been hard at work to make the best case for commercial arboriculture and to create a regulatory and political environment that benefits the green industry. Issues like safety regulations, chemical use, crane best practices, immigration reform, taxes, workforce issues, and more, affect your business every day. Now, we need you to add your voice as a business owner. We can't be effective without your support.

Circle the dates and make plans to join us in Washington. If you have any questions or require more information, please call Mark Garvin at 1-800-733-2622 or e-mail garvin@tcia.org.

Register Now or download a form to be mailed or faxed to (603) 314-5386

Why we're in Washington

TCIA, through its membership, is organized as a trade association. What does that mean specifically, and how is TCIA different from other groups in the green industry? A trade association is an organization founded and funded by businesses.

TCIA's mission is to "advance tree care businesses." One of the primary ways to protect and advance the industry is through attempts to influence public policy in a direction favorable to our members. TCIA does this with contributions to the campaigns of political candidates through the Voice for Trees political action committee, by supporting or opposing particular legislation, and by working to influence the activities of regulatory bodies such as OSHA and EPA.

There are almost 8,000 national trade associations in the United States, but only one represents the interests of the tree care industry.

No one knows tree care better than the people who run businesses every day, and TCIA – through its dedicated members – will continue to educate Washington on the unique issues and challenges the industry faces.

If you would like learn more about how you can take a more active role in your industry's government relations efforts, please contact Mark Garvin at garvin@tcia.org or by calling (603) 314-5380.