AMC Source Co-Presidents, Debra Nolan, CAE, IOM and Gregory Brooks, recently had the distinct pleasure of participating in ASAE’s 2024 Legislative Fly-In, a two-day in-person event in Washington, D.C. that included policy education, advocacy, and networking. The agenda included opportunities to inform lawmakers about their association’s economic impact, promote policies that support a robust and inclusive workforce, and learn key principles and tips for successful policy programs. The event, which took place March 5 - 6, 2024 focused heavily on leveraging the #PowerOfAssociations to strengthen #TomorrowsWorkforce.
Of special interest, attendees advocated for the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1477 / S. 722), which would increase access to industry and professional certifications, as well as tax-advantaged 529 plans. This legislation seeks to reframe 529 plans as “career savings plans”, instead of “college savings plans” by expanding the plans’ unique tax advantages to more people and more opportunities. “AMC Source serves a number of association clients that provide professional development opportunities, including certifications,” shared Brooks, “We know the power of these credentials in society, professions and trades, which is why we invest our time and resources in legislative and other efforts to communicate the value of certification in the workforce." Nolan went on to share, “At AMC Source, we believe in empowering a diverse and inclusive workforce. By advocating for legislation that increases access to professional certification opportunities, we are demonstrating our commitment to tomorrow's workforce, today."
Officially, the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act “allows the use of funds in a qualified tuition program (commonly known as a 529 account) to pay for expenses associated with obtaining or maintaining recognized postsecondary credentials.”
In addition to the valuable opportunity for advocacy, the program featured several speakers that provided insightful, educational presentations. Speakers included:
Michelle I. Mason, FASAE, CAE | President & CEO, ASAE
Lynda Bouchard Patterson, FASAE, CAE | President & Owner, AMPED | Chair, ASAE Board of Directors
The Honorable Robert Wittman | Virginia’s first Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives
Jay Karen, CAE | CEO, National Golf Course Owners Association | Secretary-Treasurer, ASAE Board of Directors
Margarita L. Valdez Martinez | Director of Policy & Advocacy, American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy | Co-Chair, ASAE Advocacy Council
The speaker lineup also included several Advocacy Directors and Public Policy professionals, making for an overall power-packed event.
We invite you to learn more about AMC Source’s partnership with ASAE, including Nolan’s and Brooks’s participation in last year’s ASAE Legislative Fly-In.