An in-depth look at how the fitness industry trade association is engaging fitness professionals at its grassroots fly-in in Washington, DC. Presentation given at the Public Affairs Council National Grassroots Conference on February 7, 2009.

1. Conducting a
Successful Fly-In
Breanne McGahey
Public Policy Communications & Advocacy
Manager
International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub
Association
Public Affairs Council, National Grassroots
Conference
February 7, 2009

4. About IHRSA
• Only global trade association for the fitness
industry
• 10,000 for profit facilities and suppliers
• 22,000 fitness professionals
• Potential to reach 11 million consumers
• 10 member Global Public Policy Department
+ DC Lobbying Team + Lobbyists in 14
States
• Association staff = 75+

5. What We Lobby For
• Federal • State
– Preven2on in the health – All 50; lobbyists in 14
care reform debate – Sales tax on health club
– Personal Health dues
Investment Today Act – Burdensome business
(HR 245) regula2ons
– Workforce Health – Tax credits
Improvement Program – AEDs
Act (HR 1748/S 1038)

6. Ladder of Advocate Engagement
Office visits
Phone calls
Emails
Petitions

7. 7th Annual Summit for a Healthier America
May 6‐7, 2009 | Washington, DC

8. Objec2ves
Advance Progression of 2 Federal Bills By Increasing
Congressional Support Via Constituent Lobbying
Building
Engage
relationships
constituents in Provide an
between
key excellent
constituents and
experience
Congressional
Members of
districts
Congress

10. Good to Great
in a bad economy and a new landscape in DC
• Integrated advocacy– • More personalized
two events and online a_en2on
campaign – Customized lobbying
materials, robust
• Name change
district profiles
• Mee2ng format
• Increase impact of
• Congressional targets lobbying
• Fewer a_endees • Build more effec2ve
• Travel scholarships rela2onships

11. Event Timeline 2008
• Wednesday • Thursday
– Early Morning Workouts – Networking Breakfast
– Orienta2on – General Session with
Feature Speaker
– Issues Briefing
– 9:30am‐4pm Hill
– 1‐ 4pm Hill Mee,ngs
Mee,ngs
– Panel Discussion
– Closing Recep2on
– Networking Recep2on
– Keynote Speaker & Dinner

12. Event Timeline 2009
• Wednesday • Thursday
– Orienta2on/Issues Briefing – Networking Breakfast
– Panel Discussion – 9:30am‐4pm Hill
Mee,ngs
– Networking Recep2on
– Closing Recep2on
– Dinner
Abbreviated 2meline =
$131,000 in savings from logis2cs budget
More funds available for travel scholarships

13. Target Priority Detailed
Marketing
Register
Districts
Survey
Schedule Email from
Briefing Book
Email Updates
Meetings
Scheduler
Grassroots
Arrive on Site
Briefing Binder
Issue Briefing
Orientation
Staff at
Follow-up
Evaluations
Meetings

14. Post‐Summit Follow‐Up
Advocate
Legislative Meeting
Analyst
Evaluation
Congressional Legislative
Offices
Analyst
DC Lobbyists

15. Internal Responsibili2es
• Public Policy: • Mee2ngs
– GR strategy – Logis2cs
– Mee2ng scheduling • Sponsorship
– Marke2ng – Covers 50% of
– Advocate training expenses
• Member Service
– Telemarke2ng to target
districts

16. Enhancing the
Experience
• Briefing Book
– Mailed 2 weeks prior
– Very detailed
– ‘Everything advocates
could ever need to know’

17. Enhancing the Experience
• Phone calls • Webinars
• Emails • YouTube videos
• On‐site briefing book • Increase interac2on
among clubs in district
– Detailed profiles include
prior to visit
bio’s, caucuses, co‐
sponsors
• Orienta2on

18. Things to Watch Out For
• Scheduling
– 2 staffers, 80% of their 2me for 6 weeks
• Cancella2ons
– Policies
• Managing expecta2ons (and egos)
• Groups that are too large (MD, VA)

19. Breanne McGahey
Public Policy Communications & Advocacy Manager
International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association
bqm@ihrsa.org | 800-228-4772 ext. 180