Written by Renee Clarke, Senior Account Manager, Greenheart Exchange.
With the 118th US Congress return to The Hill, IAAPA Public Affairs Conference spanned multiple events in Washington DC, September 9-11, 2024, organized by IAAPA’s North America Public Affairs team. Greenheart collaborated with over 30 attendees across the amusements industry for this well-choreographed event. The Conference launched with a deeper dive on each of the mindfully selected talking points through engagement with subject matter experts. The day was tied out nicely with an overlapping networking event, IAAPA Meetup: International Spy Museum, bringing even more industry professionals together to connect on the topics at hand.
Utilizing this exposure to topics such as amusement ride safety, workforce, standing legislation around credit card transaction fees, tax reform and more, the group was empowered to have engaging discussions with congressional representatives from more than twenty states.
Why it was important for Greenheart Exchange to be there:
- This annual advocacy event has consistently included the topic of workforce; supporting the BridgUSA Summer Work Travel (J1) program as a key option for the attractions IAAPA represents.
- Specifically, for 2024 the following topics affect our cultural exchange program as all other employee categories [directly outlined by IAAPA for this event]:
- Workforce
- The attractions industry faces significant workforce challenges, including seasonal recruitment and retention issues. IAAPA supports the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Program and adequate H-2B visa to supplement the domestic workforce. The association also advocates for improved federal workforce development programs, vocational education initiatives, and addressing housing and transportation needs.
U.S. DOL Overtime Rule:
- IAAPA supports a balanced approach to overtime regulations that considers the unique operational needs of an industry that hires large numbers of seasonal and part-time employees in addition to full-time year-round staff and advocates for flexible employee classification and compensation structures.
- OSHA HEAT RULE:
- IAAPA advocates for voluntary standards for industries with strong safety records. Should OSHA find evidence that voluntary standards are not adequate in high-risk industries, IAAPA urges industry-specific practices and regional variations.
- Workforce
- Greenheart celebrated its third time participating in this conference; joined this year by other sponsors CENet and CIEE, adding their voices and support as a united effort!
As a sponsor, speaking firsthand with legislators and contributing to the stories shared by attractions on how their operations, financials and seasonal coordination efforts would be adversely affected by the above topics; we made a powerful impression across all states. Further, Greenheart had the opportunity to learn how we, as a sponsor, can better partner with our host employers around the requests presented in these congressional visits.
Personally, my day on Capitol Hill was a crescendo of nine meetings across the House and Senate Side! I got to speak, firsthand, on supporting BridgeUSA’s Summer Work Travel program amongst other key topics influencing the future across the amusement industry directly to the teams of PA, IL and CO!
The Illinois meet-up included the offices of Representative Bill Foster of the 11th congressional district and Representative Daniel K. Davis from the 7th congressional district. Colorado Representatives from the 1st [Diana DeGette] and 7th [Brittany Pettersen] congressional districts with constituent Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technology Corporation.
Connecting with others after their equally busy day on Capitol Hill, we were all impressed by how receptive and knowledgeable the offices were on our topics and requests. The 2024 IAAPA Public Affairs Conference was a very impactful opportunity where goals were not only met but exceeded! Greenheart looks forward to carrying this momentum into our upcoming Winter and launching our Summer 2025 onboarding season and beyond.
Thank you, Renee, for sharing your reflections on such an important event!
If you are a business who would like to host international seasonal staff for a cultural exchange, please visit HirewithGreenheart.org to learn more.
To learn more about Greenheart’s Summer Work Travel program visit GreenheartExchange.org.
The post Collaboration on Capitol Hill: Greenheart Contributes to Advocacy for Attractions! appeared first on Greenheart Exchange.