Sep 23, 2004
WASHINGTON, DC — September 23, 2004 — The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) will co-sponsor the food industry’s “Day in Washington” meeting June 6-8, 2005.
     

“The Day in Washington meeting provides an important opportunity for the food retailing and distribution industry to educate the new 109th Congress about critical issues affecting the grocery business and American consumers,” N.G.A. President and CEO Tom Zaucha said. “We will discuss with members of Congress a number of important issues that affect our members’ businesses — including the repeal of the estate tax, health care and other important issues that will arise in 2005.”
     

“The timing of this event is critical. In mid-2005, we expect Congress to be making decisions on a host of major issues crucial to the future of our industry. These include tax reforms, health care costs, and pension legislation just to mention a few,” said FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. “Another reason to attend is that there is no more effective way to shape public policy than to meet with your members of Congress face to face.”
     

The Day in Washington will begin at noon June 7 with a luncheon keynote speaker followed by a general session with speakers from the administration and Congress. On June 8, attendees will breakfast on Capitol Hill and spend the day meeting with members of Congress on key legislative issues. The associations will hold committee meetings Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, June 6 and 7, respectively, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington prior to the Day in Washington meeting.
     

FMI and N.G.A. are pleased that Food Industry Association Executives, a group representing local, state and regional food association executives, will co-host the event. “The unity of our associations on a number of key issues will send a strong message to Congressional leaders,” Zaucha said.