Industry Leaders Gather at Legislative Conference to Set Priorities

Posted April 1, 2022 at 4:35 pm




TRSA recently concluded its 12th Annual Legislative Conference in Alexandria, VA, with industry executives presenting a unified message on key legislative and regulatory priorities impacting the linen, uniform and facility services industry. The action-packed conference, which took place from March 29-31, featured committee meetings, facilitated discussions for supplier partners and next-generation executives, a keynote presentation by a noted Washington journalist, an awards ceremony for top companies and executives, and meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill.

The event kicked off on March 29 with a Supplier Partner Workshop facilitated by Kate Zabriskie, founder, Business Training Works. The workshop, which also featured a networking reception for attendees, focused on developing skills for having difficult conversations with your customers around issues such as supply-chain problems, labor shortages and other strains. Topics discussed during the two-hour workshop included:

  • Understanding areas that stress customer relationships
  • Holding brain-friendly conversations
  • Showing empathy
  • De-escalating

The Legislative Conference continued the next day with committee meetings at the Westin Old Town Alexandria. Committees that met at the conference included:

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
  • Education
  • Environmental
  • Government Relations
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality/F&B
  • Human Resources
  • Industrial, Uniform & Workwear
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Next-Generation Executives
  • Safety

Following the committee meetings, Reid Wilson, national correspondent, The Hill Newspaper, delivered a keynote address on the current political climate in Washington, DC, as well as key indicators to look out for as we approach the 2022 midterm elections in November. Wilson noted that things don’t look promising for the Democratic Party, which currently holds control of the White House and narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. With that in mind, several factors could influence the elections between then and now, including:

  • The economy – will inflation subside or continue to be problematic, and what will be the effect of upcoming rate increases from the Fed?
  • 6 Committee – damning evidence being released regularly, but will it register with voters?
  • Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade – would potentially ignite Democratic enthusiasm and turnout
  • War and peace – how will the war in Ukraine play out and affect our domestic politics?

After Wilson’s keynote address, attendees were briefed on issues by two veteran Hill staffer/political professionals – one Democrat and one Republican. The discussion was designed to prepare attendees for their Hill Day meetings the next day. The day concluded with a networking reception and the Annual Industry Awards dinner. Click here for more on the dinner.

Special thanks to JENSEN, Kannegiesser ETECH, G.A. Braun, Brim, Lavatec, Pellerin Milnor and Unitex International for sponsoring the 12th Annual Legislative Conference & Annual Industry Awards.

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