Advocating for Today, Designing for the Future

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.

SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY

Preliminary Summit Agenda

Monday, September 28 

1:00 PM Policy conference opens: federal agency roundtables, data, and a political lay of the land

1:15 PM Congressional Panel

2:15 PM Perspectives from Federal Agencies

3:15 PM Future Framing Session #1

5:00 PM Optional dinner meet‑ups (on your own)

Tuesday, September 29 

7:30 AM Breakfast

8:30 AM Future Framing Session #2

10:00 AM The Honorable Keith Sonderling, Acting Secretary, Department of Labor (invited)

The Honorable Linda McMahon, Secretary, Department of Education (invited)

11:00 AM Future Framing Session #3

2:15 PM Legislative landscape: Where Things Stand (e.g. appropriations, OMB rule, WIOA reauthorization, apprenticeships, Workforce Pell, Medicaid work requirements)

3:15 PM Reviewing The Ask: What you need to know for Capitol Hill meetings and Q&A

4:15 PM Practice “Making the Ask” and 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 (scheduled for you)

5:00 PM Congressional Reception & Presentation of Awards

6:30 PM Board buses for return to hotel

6:45 PM Buses depart

Hotel 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:

Helpful Information

NAWB will supply everything you need for effective advocacy, including:
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:
Please bring:
Do not bring:
Visit the Capitol Visitor Center rules for more information.
Note: Visitor Center rules may differ from House/Senate building rules.

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.

By Air
By Train
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