NAIFA’s Congressional Congress, May 25-26, will be a virtual event featuring targeted advocacy training with briefings on legislative issues that affect members’ businesses, best practices for conducting congressional meetings, and tips for developing impactful long-term relationships with legislators.

Featured presenters for the May 25 session will include Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), a former insurance professional prior to his service as a federal lawmaker; Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee; American Council of Life Insurers President and CEO Susan Neely; NAIFA’s Government Relations team; and other influential industry representatives. More information on the schedule is on NAIFA’s web site.

On May 26, attendees will participate in virtual meetings with their members of the Senate and congressional staff. They will discuss legislative issues important to their businesses and clients and tell their stories that show the important work they do providing Main Street USA consumers with opportunities to achieve financial security and prosperity.

“The Congressional Conference is one of NAIFA’s signature events and is crucial to our grassroots advocacy strategy,” said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. “The virtual event brings NAIFA members together as a critical mass to advocate on behalf of their businesses, clients, consumers, and the insurance and financial services industry. Virtual meetings, in fact, allow us to offer an even more inclusive event and promote equitable access to advocacy with more agents and advisors able to participate and have a meaningful impact.”

The 2021 Congressional Conference will mark the second year in a row that the event has been held in a virtual setting. Attendance grew last year as more agents and advisors were able to participate from their homes and offices. Unlike last year, this year’s event will feature small group meetings with lawmakers that have become a highlight of past Congressional Conferences.

“COVID-19 and restrictions in place at the U.S. Capitol require us to go 100% virtual this year, but NAIFA members will be meeting with U.S. Senators and will have the same influence as when they meet face-to-face,” Diane Boyle, NAIFA’s Senior Vice President for Government Relations, said. “We have even greater influence when we fully activate our grassroots network. It also helps more financial professionals get to know NAIFA and see first-hand the great advocacy work our association is doing to protect their businesses and clients.”

The Congressional Conference bolsters NAIFA’s prestige among lawmakers and industry partners and enhances the association’s standing as the leading voice for insurance and financial professionals. It is crucial for ensuring lawmakers thoroughly understand the important role NAIFA members play in:

• Providing products, services, and advice that improve the financial security of 90 million American families.
• Promoting financial literacy and self-sufficiency in diverse communities.
• Strengthening the U.S. economy and contributing to the financial health of communities in every congressional district.
• Representing the best interests of their clients and promoting the success of Main Street Americans and businesses.

“The personal stories insurance and financial professionals tell profoundly illustrate how public policies impact their clients,” Mayeux said. “These are stories lawmakers want and need to hear. No one can tell them better than NAIFA members, and the Congressional Conference is our best vehicle for reaching a large, attentive audience of policymakers.”