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NEWS | Washington Presentation 2023 Highlights

#WP2023 was a big success for small business!



NSBA Trustee Milan Ghandi meets with Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) during #WP2023 to discuss small-business priorities


NSBA #WP2023 Delegate Eric Schmidt stops for a photo in front of the Capitol between meetings with Members of Congress

Wrapping after two days of important networking and meetings with key policymakers, NSBA’ s Washington Presentation (WP) was more impactful than ever, with nearly 200 small-business owners attending as our advocacy delegates.


NSBA Delegates outside of the Hyatt Regency DCA

NSBA Delegate Montina Fraiser arrives at #WP2023

Headquartered at the Hyatt Regency DCA, WP 2023 kicked things off with NSBA’s quarterly Board meeting, where the Trustees discussed our long-term goals and strategy for supporting small business.


NSBA Board of Trustees convene to discuss long-term strategy and development goals

NSBA Board Chair Bob Trieber and Washington Presentation Chair Tameka Montgomery then began welcoming the WP 2023 delegates, kicking our programming off with a networking lunch and our Advocate of the Year Awards Ceremony.


NSBA Chair Bob Trieber and President & CEO welcome #WP2023 Delegates

This year’s award recipients include award finalists: Hope Blankenship of To the Rescue Bookkeeping, LLC in Diberville, Miss.; Sheletta Brundidge of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh, LLC in Cottage Grove, Minn.; Chyanne Hart of CAAM Logistics in Strasburg, Penn.; and Martha Hernandez of ESO Ventures in Oakland, Calif.


Martha Hernandez of ESO Ventures in Oakland, Calif.

Hope Blankenship of To the Rescue Bookkeeping, LLC in Diberville, Miss.

Sheletta Brundidge of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh, LLC in Cottage Grove, Minn.

Sheletta Makes Everyone Laugh at the #WP2023 Awards Luncheon with NSBA President & CEO Todd McCracken

NSBA also recognized Nora Oliver of 10X Nora Oliver, LLC in Woburn, Mass., with the Rising Star Award—an award for individuals just starting out as advocates for small business.


NSBA 2023 Rising Star Nora Oliver of 10X Nora Oliver, LLC in Woburn, Mass.

The overall award winner was named for the first time publicly, Olalah Njenga of YellowWood Group, LLC in Raleigh, N.C., who shared some inspiring remarks with the delegation.


NSBA 2023 Advocate of the Year Olalah Njenga of YellowWood Group, LLC in Raleigh, N.C.

“There is no job for you,” was the last thing Olalah was told before she began her small business. Instead of shrinking, Olalah chose to rise, and her incredible efforts for small business have continued to soar ever since.


Congrats to the entire Awards Class of 2023!


NSBA 2023 Advocacy Award Nominees and Winners enjoying networking over lunch

NSBA WP Delegates connecting over our welcome lunch.

Joining the delegation were a handful of NSBA’s amazing partners: Amex Global Business Travel, Angel Oak Mortgage, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., and Judy Cyber Services.


NSBA Corporate Partner Judy Cyber Services supporting small business at #WP2023

NSBA Corporate Partner Angel Oak providing mortgage solutions for small business at #WP2023

Thank you to NSBA Corporate Partner Amex GBT for their support of small business and global business travel!

NSBA Corporate Partner Amex GBT supporting small business at #WP2023

Following lunch, the WP Delegates then made their way to downtown Washington, D.C., for a briefing from key administration officials, including: Kylie Patterson – Senior Advisor for Opportunity and Inclusion at the National Institute of Standards and Technology CHIPS Program Office at the Dept. of Commerce; Jeff Stout – Director of SSBCI-Treasury; and Uma Hiremagalur – Deputy Program Director, Capital Readiness Program, Minority Business Development Agency at the Dept. of Commerce.


Jeff Stout – Director of SSBCI-Treasury, and Uma Hiremagalur – Deputy Program Director, Capital Readiness Program, Minority Business Development Agency at the Dept. of Commerce on stage with NSBA President & CEO Todd McCracken

Kylie Patterson – Senior Advisor for Opportunity and Inclusion at the National Institute of Standards and Technology CHIPS Program Office at the Dept. of Commerce on stage addressing #WP2023 Delegates with NSBA President & CEO Todd McCracken

While our group was too large to be accommodated by the White House, the Commerce building is one of the oldest in the Capital, and the auditorium’s opulence of a different era did not disappoint. Delegates then received a briefing from NSBA’s friends at the Prism Group, including an update on our Priority Issues.


NSBA #WP2023 Delegates at the Dept. of Comm.,seated in one of the nation's oldest auditoriums

NSBA #WP2023 Delegate outside the Dept. of Commerce

Rounding out the day, our Delegates then met for a rooftop evening reception followed by an exclusive screening of Amazon Studio’s new movie The Burial, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx. Sharing the story of a family funeral home small business working against the pressures of a behemoth company, we were thrilled for the opportunity to watch this powerful movie in the comfort of Crystal City’s Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.


#WP2023 Delegates enjoying an evening rooftop reception

NSBA members and #WP2023 Delegates enjoying Amazon Studio's "The Burial," starring Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx - in theaters this Oct.

NSBA thanks Alamo Drafthouse Cinema for hosting our #WP2023 Delegates for this exclusive screening of The Burial

Thursday began bright and early, with Delegates boarding the buses to head to Capitol Hill. The sun may not have been all the way up, but our attendee’s energy sure was!


#WP2023 Delegates making their way to Capitol Hill for meetings with Congress before the sun was up

NSBA #WP2023 Delegate Montina Frasier and Trustee Calvin Mills on the way to the Capitol

We were ecstatic to welcome some incredible Members of Congress to speak to our delegation over breakfast, including conversations and connections on what Congress is doing for small business policy in the nation’s capital and around the country.


NSBA #WP2023 Delegates connect at our Congressional Breakfast

Members of Congress addressing the Delegates included: Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), and Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03). We were thrilled to see these Members of the Small Business Committee sharing their bipartisan views with such civility, as different perspectives will ultimately lay the foundation for stronger, more common-sensical small-business policy.


Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03) addresses #WP2023 Delegates

Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03) stands with small business

Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO-04) speaks on small-business matters in Congress at NSBA's Congressional Breakfast

Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Member of the House Small Business Committee

Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and NSBA President & CEO Todd McCracken address #WP2023 Delegates

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-28) spared some time for small business before heading to a W&M Committee hearing

Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) speaks on his own experiences as a small-business owner at #WP2023

Rep. Crane connecting with an NSBA #WP2023 Delegate at our Congressional Breakfast

Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13) greeted by long-time friend and NSBA Trustee Milan Ghandi

Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) speaks to #WP2023 Delegates over our Congressional Breakfast

Throughout the breakfast, NSBA leadership provided tips and insight on how to be the best lobbyist and advocate for small business during the Delegates’ congressional meetings. If you missed our virtual advocacy training on Wednesday, Sept. 6, you can view it in full here. Don’t forget to check back for other NSBA resources, including how best to build and grow your relationship with your Members of Congress!


A view from inside one of the Capitol House Office Buildings

The Delegates were off from there to make the mark for small business across the Capitol complex, leaving behind materials and insights on what it’s like to run a small business under current laws, policies and regulations.


NSBA #WP2023 Delegates convene before commencing meetings on Capitol Hill

Click here to download your copy of the handout materials, including focused information on four key NSBA issues prioritized in conversation by the WP Delegates:


• Extend Expiring Tax Cuts

• Enact the Credit Card Competition Act

• Repeal the Corporate Transparency Act

• Nominate and Confirm a Chief Counsel for Advocacy


NSBA #WP2023 Delegates meet with Capitol Hill staff

NSBA #WP2023 Calif. Delegation stops for a photo following their meeting in the Senate

#WP2023 Delegates from Indiana bring style to sit downs with staff and lawmakers during #WP2023

NSBA #WP2023 Delegate John Snyder after a meeting with Rep. Foushee (N.C.)

#WP2023 Delegate Nicole Hassannia thanking the Office of Rep. Sarbanes for meeting to discuss small-business policy

#WP2023 Delegates come together for meetings in the Senate

NSBA #WP2023 Delegates following a meeting with the Office of Senator Jon Ossoff (Georgia)

Thank you to our attendees, our partners, and all of our supporters in Congress for another successful Washington Presentation!


Delegates on their way to meetings across Capitol Hill for #WP2023

Delegates stop for a picture inside the Capitol between meetings for #WP2023

NSBA Delegate poses for a pic in front of the Capitol between meetings

Delegates, please don’t forget to follow up with your Members, and we’ll see you next year!


NSBA #WP2023 Delegate in front of the Supreme Court of the United States, directly across from Capitol Hill

See you next year!

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