Global Issues, Local Impact

I repeatedly hear the same reasons from association members who are nervous about attending the ACMA Composites Fly-In in Washington, D.C. The truth is that there’s never been a more important time to participate, so I want to respond to the common concerns and alleviate any apprehension:

1. News from Washington can be intimidating and seem too large for your business or even our industry to impact.

Whether it’s tariffs, government funding or regulatory concerns, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Here’s the reality: Your representatives in Washington are starving for information on what businesses are doing in their districts to employ constituents, and they want to know how to help you. Not only that, but politicians and their staff prioritize meeting with voters and employers from their districts. Many first-time attendees discovered that their members of Congress didn’t even know they represented the composites industry until we visited them on the Hill during a fly-In.

• I’m not a lobbyist. I don’t know how legislation or regulatory policy works.

ACMA sets fly-in attendees up for success. No policy expertise is required. You don’t need to be a lobbyist. In fact, we don’t want you to be a lobbyist. We want you to show up as yourself; someone who’s passionate about your business, your team and the composites industry. We prepare our attendees via webinars and prep sessions here in Washington, and the ACMA government relations team handles all the details.

Past fly-in meetings have directly led to letters on regulatory concerns, invitations for our industry to testify at hearings, a congressional letter to EPA defending the use of styrene in our industry and better tax treatment for innovative composites companies through advocacy by our members.

One meeting with your senator or member of Congress could help ensure that the next surface transportation bill provides more access to composites or help us get better government data on our industry. It could lead to a visit to your facility this summer and support for grants and other funding opportunities.

• Washington won’t listen.

Other industries are interacting with Washington to ensure they benefit from policymaking. Failing to show up here leaves us at a strategic disadvantage as elected officials continue to make big decisions on trade, taxes and more.

• I don’t get anything out of attending.

Our fly-in is thoughtfully planned every year by the government relations team and packed with informative sessions, access to decision-makers and networking with industry leaders. With such an exceptional program, we know the chance to be in a room with other industry leaders is often the final selling point. As one returning attendee told me, “The hallway conversations are often as valuable as the Hill meetings.”

This event is expected to sell out. With so much to gain, be sure to reserve your spot. Register here today for ACMA’s Composites 2026 Fly-In, which will be held June 9 – 11.

Daniel Neumann is ACMA’s vice president of government relations. Email him at dneumann@acmanet.org.