ILMA Compoundings March 2017 - 38

IN NETWORK

Cross Connections
Manufacturers Making a Difference
By Tonya Muse

ast year was a year like no one has probably ever experienced. Manufacturers faced many challenges, but we
also had some significant legislative accomplishments.
Now, with a new administration and a new Congress comes
significant change. We must position ourselves to manage
through this change, but it takes a collective effort.
Manufacturers have a busy year ahead, and there are
numerous opportunities to be engaged during this exciting
time. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
will be front and center to ensure manufacturing policies
are pushed forward to boost the economy, grow jobs and
strengthen the industry. From the White House to the
courts to Capitol Hill, NAM will be working with our
corporate members and association partners to push forward
the manufacturing agenda.
Starting off the year, NAM once again embarked on the
State of Manufacturing Tour. At the end of February and
beginning of March, President and CEO Jay Timmons and
the NAM team crisscrossed the country visiting manufac-

NAM's Annual Public
Affairs Conference

NAM's State Government
Relations Group Meeting

March 26-28, 2017

March 28-29, 2017

turing plants, businesses and educational facilities to speak
to employees, students and government officials about the
future of manufacturing.
In March, NAM hosts its annual Public Affairs Conference at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. This
conference is ideal for government relations and public
affairs professionals from corporations and associations who
are engaged in politics, policy and advocacy. The conference
provides attendees an opportunity to increase their expertise
on issues affecting our economic and political future.
On June 20 and 21, manufacturers from across the country will come to Washington, D.C., to participate in NAM's
Manufacturing Summit. Summit participants will engage
lawmakers in small-group lobbying visits, network with
fellow manufacturers and hear directly from members of the
administration and congressional leadership.
I encourage you to participate and help increase the
manufacturing presence on Capitol Hill as we engage lawmakers on the pro-growth policies that are key to a strong
manufacturing economy. Keeping that in mind, NAM
has launched the Friends of Manufacturing network.
This network was created for the millions of Americans
who want to make manufacturing in America everything
it can be, and it provides a platform for those Americans
to explain how government policies affect their livelihood.
Friends of Manufacturing is committed to fighting for smart
government policies that will have a positive impact on all
of our lives. To join the Friends of Manufacturing network,
text FRIENDS to 52886 or visit friendsofmanufacturing.com
for more information.
ILMA and its members are valued partners in the
manufacturing army. Together, we can fight and win for
our members - manufacturers in the United States. Visit
NAM's website at www.nam.org for additional details, tools
and resources.
Muse is the executive director of NAM's Council of
Manufacturing Associations. For more information,
email her at tmuse@nam.org.

MARCH 2017

| COMPOUNDINGS | ILMA.ORG

http://www.friendsofmanufacturing.com http://www.nam.org http://www.ILMA.ORG

ILMA Compoundings March 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ILMA Compoundings March 2017