TEXTILES.ORG
Now is the time to register for the 2023 GMA Spring Lobby Days taking place May 16–17, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) members will have the opportunity to meet with their congressional representatives and learn about how the election impacts the makeup of the 118th Congress. Visitors are welcome – Click here to login and register.
With the passage and funding of the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL), our focus now moves to the reauthorization of the FAA, in particular the possibility of a Center of Excellence (CE) for Geosynthetic Sustainability Research. Several of the congressional offices last fall requested that we provide language for inclusion into this reauthorization.
With that in mind, we have provided language that would create a center of excellence similar to those included in the BIL. Good attendance will ensure that we can visit as many congressional offices as possible to further promote the infrastructure benefits of geosynthetics and the inclusion of the Center of Excellence.
Plan to join us in these congressional conversations and register your intent to attend. We make every effort to schedule meetings with your individual congressional delegation, so to ensure that we provide a timely request, please register early and include your local district information so that we can gain meetings specific to your locations.
Invited speakers
Tuesday Evening Prep Dinner: Daniel Elwell
President, Elwell & Associates, LLC
Prior to forming Elwell & Associates, Dan Elwell was deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from June 2017 to November 2020. Before being appointed deputy administrator, Elwell was a senior advisor to Department of Transportation secretary Elaine Chao. During his tenure as deputy administrator, he served as acting FAA administrator from January 2018 until August 2019.
Wednesday Lunch Gathering: Michael Falencki
Deputy Staff Director, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Before becoming the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s deputy staff director in June 2022, Falencki served as Republican staff director for the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit as well as the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. From 2001 to 2006, he worked for Rep. Graves in the roles of legislative assistant, legislative director, and deputy chief of staff.
Schedule at a glance
Tues. | May 16
12:30-5 PM: GMA Executive Council Meeting (30 min break scheduled)
6 PM: Reception and Preparation Dinner – Guest Speaker: Daniel Elwell
Wed. | May 17th
All Day: Meetings with members of Congress and/or key staff
Lunch: Guest Speaker: Michael Falencki
Late afternoon: Debrief with the W&W staff
Exact times, locations and full schedule details will be available soon on the event website.
Learn more about GMA membership
To learn about becoming a GMA member, Lobby Day or anything other GMA questions, please contact GMA’s Executive Director, Fred Chuck at fred.chuck@textiles.org.