connecting the Two Washingtons
AWB gave members a voice beyond Washington state in 2017
with the addition of a Federal Affairs Summit in September.
I think it’s
always
important to
get out here
and see how
the business
of government
gets done.
kelly fukai,
schweitzer
engineering
laboratories
The summit, held during the annual Policy
Summit, featured both U.S. Sens. Patty Murray
and Maria Cantwell, as well as U.S. Rep. Denny
Heck and a video welcome message from
U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, whose district
includes Cle Elum, the site of the summit.
The elected officials gave AWB members an
update on topics ranging from health care
and immigration to workforce development
and job creation. And they fielded questions
from members, providing attendees a rare
opportunity to hear from, and question, both
of Washington’s U.S. senators in one location.
AWB will expand the Federal Affairs Summit
in 2018 as part of a growing emphasis on
federal affairs advocacy.
In early 2017, as talks increased in
Washington, D.C. about the need for
nationwide infrastructure investment, AWB
entered into an unprecedented partnership
with three other associations representing
Washington’s cities, counties and ports.
Together, the groups published a report
summarizing the state’s infrastructure needs
and opportunities, positioning the state for
future investment.
And in December, AWB led its fourth-
annual D.C. Fly-in. Twenty business leaders,
economic development and infrastructure
advocates accompanied AWB staff in a series
of meetings with Washington state’s 12
congressional delegates.
grassroots alliance
The growing Grassroots Alliance amplified AWB’s voice in 2017, ens