Guide to Hosting a Meet and Greet for Candidates and ...

Guide to Hosting a Meet and Greet for Candidates and Members of Congress

Build relationships with lawmakers and influence public policy decisions.

Disclaimer

Overview

The content of this packet applies only to federal activities. Please consult your legal counsel or local election attorney on local and state matters.

If you have any questions, please contact David Ashinoff, AGC of America's Director of AGC PAC & Political Advocacy, at ashinoffd@ or (202) 547-5013.

Meet and Greet Checklist Overview

Planning the Meet and Greet Determine the objectives for the meet and greet. Decide who to invite. Craft a written invitation to the candidate or member of Congress. Craft an electronic communication to chapter members or company employees. Decide what information the chapter or member company should share with the candidate or member of Congress prior to the meet and greet.

Conducting the Meet and Greet Determine the duration of the event. Make sure participants have the opportunity to introduce themselves. Have an appropriate chapter or company leader introduce the candidate or member of Congress. Keep to the meet and greet format.

Following the Meet and Greet Send a written thank you note to the candidate or member of Congress. Send an electronic communication to the chapter members or company employees that participated. Forward electronic versions of photographs to the press secretary. Regularly update the candidate or member of Congress on developments affecting the chapter or member company. Use social media to recap the meet and greet. Tell AGC of America about the meet and greet.

Overview

Overview

A meet and greet is an event that a chapter or member company hosts to exchange views with a candidate or member of Congress on key issues facing the construction industry. It provides participants with an opportunity to develop relationships with individuals who may be in positions to make decisions affecting their companies, employees, and industry.

Developing relationships early with a candidate or member of Congress through a meet and greet can be a real help in influencing future public policy decisions. Since a strong personal relationship with policymakers is essential to successful grassroots advocacy, a meet and greet is an effective tool in building long-term relationships.

In addition, a meet and greet can help participants evaluate candidates for elective office. The event is an opportunity for candidates to deliver their political messages and policy positions, as well as increase their visibility. Please note that hosting or attending a meet and greet does not obligate anyone to support the candidate in any way.

Planning the Meet & Greet

Overview

The following guidelines will help you plan a successful meet and greet with a candidate or member of Congress at the chapter or with a member company:

Determine the objectives for the meet and greet.

What does the chapter or member company want to discuss with the candidate or member of Congress? Will it be only issues and legislation, or will you also ask him or her to talk about their campaign? If the campaign is discussed or an endorsement made, you must follow certain federal election regulations. Please review the applicable regulations.

especially appropriate. PDF your invitation, and send it to the office/campaign scheduler. If you are unsure who to contact, contact the AGC PAC Director at agcpac@ for assistance.

Craft an electronic communication to chapter members or company employees inviting them to the meet and greet.

Decide who to invite.

Anyone can be invited if issues and legislation are the only matters discussed. If the campaign is also discussed, there are different regulations that apply to different types of audiences - the chapter's or member company's restricted class vs. the chapter's general membership or all company employees.

Decide what information the member company should share with the candidate or member of Congress prior to the visit.

For example, suggest the total number of employees, major projects underway or recently completed, type of construction, safety requirements, equipment, etc.

Craft a written invitation to the candidate or member of Congress.

The chapter or member company should provide a range of dates to accommodate busy campaign or legislative schedules. If inviting a member of Congress, dates during congressional recesses are

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