Member Portal
Advocating for Today, Designing for Tomorrow
NAWB is focused on both the needs of today and the system of tomorrow, advocating for the resources to serve our local communities while actively building a policy framework for the future. This first-of-its-kind event is designed to develop the system of the future to optimize meeting the needs of local communities.
>You’ll hear directly from senior federal officials, national partners, and policy experts on the issues driving the workforce agenda.
>Hands on advocacy sessions will sharpen your message and strengthen your strategy so you can walk into Capitol Hill meetings ready to make clear, compelling asks.
>Your Capitol Hill visits are where you will tell your story so lawmakers understand what local boards need to serve workers, employers, and communities.
Preliminary Summit Agenda
Monday, September 28
1:00 PM
Policy conference opens: federal agency roundtables, data, and a political lay of the land
5:00 PM
Optional dinner meet‑ups (on your own)
Tuesday, September 29
8:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM
Policy sessions continue: partner perspectives, federal agency updates, and a legislative briefing (apprenticeships, Workforce Pell, Medicaid work requirements, and more)
12:00 PM
Lunch & keynote speaker
1:30 PM
Capitol Hill panel
2:30 PM
Break
3:00 PM
Effective Advocacy Through Storytelling on Capitol Hill
4:00 PM
State coordination
5:00 PM
Day concludes; dinner on your own
Wednesday, September 30
7:45 AM
Board buses to Capitol Hill
8:00 AM
Buses depart
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Hill meetings
5:00 PM
Congressional Reception & Presentation of Awards
6:30 PM
Board buses for return to hotel
6:45 PM
Buses depart
SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAYHotel Information
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC
Conference rate: $259/night
The discounted room block expires August 28, 2026.
Advocacy Day App
We will once again use the Advocacy Associates app, which will include:
-
Full Summit agenda
-
Hill meeting schedule
-
Office locations
-
Legislative issue briefs
-
Talking Points
-
Meeting report forms
Helpful Information
Supplies Provided
NAWB will supply everything you need for effective advocacy, including:
-
NAWB’s legislative agenda
-
Detailed Hill meeting schedule
-
Leave‑behind materials
-
Capitol Hill map
-
Key committee lists
What You'll Need To Bring
1. A Success Story
Members of Congress need to hear how your board helps people with the greatest barriers to employment find a path to economic security. Record a video, gather a testimonial, or write a narrative — and share it with us in advance.
2. A One‑Pager
Prepare a one‑ or two‑page summary of:
-
Who you are
-
How your board serves your community
-
Your local economic impact
-
Employers you’ve served
Capitol Hill Rules
Please bring:
-
Government‑issued photo ID
-
Business cards
-
Comfortable shoes
-
Your one‑pager and success stories
Do not bring:
-
Suitcases
-
Weapons
-
Items prohibited by Capitol security
Visit the Capitol Visitor Center rules for more information.
Note: Visitor Center rules may differ from House/Senate building rules.
Hill Day Scheduling
For those participating in Workforce Impact Day on Capitol Hill, NAWB is working with Advocacy Associates to group advocates by state or region so no one advocates alone. During registration, you’ll be asked to provide additional addresses/counties/regions to ensure accurate matching based on your service area. Advocacy Associates will use this information to arrange your individual schedule on Capitol Hill.
Why Participate?
-
Tell the story of workforce development in your community
-
Ensure Congress understands the value and impact of workforce boards
-
Advocate for the resources your system needs
-
No prior advocacy experience required
Who Should Attend?
-
Workforce board leaders
-
Workforce staff
-
Board members and partners
-
Employers who serve on boards
-
Success stories — individuals served by the public workforce system
What To Expect?
-
A briefing on the key legislative issues facing workforce boards
-
Work groups to shape a proactive, future‑focused WIOA vision
-
State‑based coordination to align messages
-
A full day of meetings with Congressional offices
-
A Congressional reception to close the event
Getting To Washington D.C.
By Air
-
Three airports serve the Washington, DC area. They are Reagan National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), and Baltimore-Washington (BWI).
By Train
-
Union Station (Amtrak, MARC, VRE)
Getting To Washington Hilton
From DCA (Reagan National)
Metro: Blue/Yellow → transfer to Red → Dupont Circle (10‑minute walk)
Taxi/Rideshare: ~20 minutes
From IAD (Dulles)
Metro: Silver Line → transfer to Red → Dupont Circle
Taxi/Rideshare: 40–60 minutes
From BWI (Baltimore-Washington)
Train + Metro: Shuttle → Amtrak/MARC → Union Station → Red Line → Dupont Circle
Taxi/Rideshare: 60–90 minutes