2022 VBA/ABA Washington Summit
In-Person Attendee Event Portal
Thank you for registering for the 2022 VBA/ABA Washington Summit!
We will continue to update this portal as the event gets closer with all of the information you will need to know for a successful visit to Washington.
Program
Learn More About they Keynote Speakers Here!
Agenda
Legislative Issue Briefs
Community Bank Leverage Ratio One Pager
Supervision of Nonbank Small Business Lenders One Pager
Tuesday Afternoon Legislative Visits Information
National Capital Bank has graciously reserved their boardroom at 316 Pennsylvania Ave, just a few blocks behind the Library of Congress, for our legislative visits. As restrictions on meetings on Capitol Hill are fluid, our meeting location might change and the VBA will contact you with any updates. We are working to confirm legislator attendance and will provide an update on their proposed meeting times in advance of the Summit.
*Transportation to the meetings on the Hill and return transportation to the hotel after the meetings and reception is on your own. We recommend grouping up with other Virginia bankers to share a taxi or an Uber.
Legislator Bios
Click here to view the PDF version of the Legislator Bios.
Tips for Your Visits
Bankers make loans and Members of Congress make laws and it is essential that both groups work together to develop a better understanding of the public policy challenges that face banking. The VBA/ABA Washington Summit provides a valuable opportunity to engage with your elected representative. Both the VBA and ABA will provide you with information on specific legislative items for discussion. Please take the time to consider the following Do’s and Don’ts to make the most out of your visit.
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Do your homework on the Member of Congress. Read up so you know a bit about the Member’s background and previous occupation. You can read about House Members here and Senate Members here. In Washington, we may be given as little as 15 minutes with the Member of Congress and/or staff, due to their hectic schedules. Thus, it’s important for you to keep your comments brief and for you to tailor your comments to each legislator. Be sure to use local, personalized examples of how the issue affects your bank and your customers and your community.
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Don’t be impatient or inflexible. Congressional schedules change – often. If they do have to cancel, they will likely send a staffer who handles banking issues. This Legislative Assistant will often do much of the research and voting recommendations on banking issues, so he or she is a good person to know and talk to.
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Dress and pack accordingly, as you might be required to go through security since we might be at the bank and not the Hill. Due to these security measures, it is advisable to leave all non-essential personal items in your hotel room.
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Bring business cards to leave with Members and any talking points you need.
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Don’t be afraid to participate in the conversation! When commenting, introduce yourself, your bank and what you do. Let them know where in the district you live to remind the Member you are a constituent. Leave the Member with a clear impression of the action you want taken. Stay positive even if you do not receive the answer you want. Do not be afraid to say you don’t know if asked a question you cannot answer. The VBA will designate a banker to help guide the discussion with the Members, but there will be time for your comments and questions as well.
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There’s no need to use technical terms or acronyms. Try to frame the issues in everyday language as the member may not be a banking industry expert.
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Thank the Member and their staff and follow up. Thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Take a picture with the Member if there is time and be sure to share it with the VBA. Following up is always a nice touch. The VBA will send the Member of Congress a thank-you note, but feel free to send one as well. In your note, review the issues you discussed and confirm the action that you want the Member to take. Follow-up with answers to any questions the Member had. (Thank staffers by name, too, and your letter is likely to end up on the Member’s desk!)
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Keep the Member involved and stay in touch. Don’t let the Summit be the last time you talk to your legislator. Offer to be a resource on banking issues in your District and consider inviting the Member to an upcoming function (bank tour, community event, etc.) the next time he or she is home in the District. Members and their staff need to be invited to visit banks, understand the basics of how a bank works, and meet their “bank-employee constituents.” The VBA can always assist in coordinating scheduling requests with Members.
Join Us Tuesday Night for a Joint Reception with Maryland Bankers Association, Hosted by FHLBank Atlanta
Hotel Information
The Washington Summit will take place in the heart of downtown D.C. at the Marriott Marquis. Learn more about the hotel and make your reservations here.
Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
901 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
VBA Onsite Staff Contact Information
Matt Bruning
SVP, Government & Member Relations
mbruning@vabankers.org
804.366.8688
Heather Derflinger
Government Relations Specialist
heather@vabankers.org
703.398.9189
Laurie Milligan
COO, VBA Benefits Corporation
lmilligan@vabankers.org
804.347.8365
John Snead
VP, Member Relations
jsnead@vabankers.org
804.929.3033
Bruce Whitehurst
President & CEO
bruce@vabankers.org
804.241.3223
Safety Protocols & Updated COVID-19 Requirements
The ABA has announced updated COVID-19 requirements for the Washington Summit that align with District of Columbia guidelines. While masks are still required in some D.C. buildings and on public transit, taxis and ride share vehicles, attendees will not be required to wear masks to attend ABA’s Washington Summit.
Attendees will be required to provide either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to their arrival at the Marriott Marquis hotel in order to attend the Summit. This process will be managed using the free CLEAR Health Pass app. ABA will share instructions on how to provide proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results via the app closer to the start of the Summit.
If D.C. public health requirements change, ABA will modify its policy accordingly and the VBA will notify you of any changes. Learn more about D.C.’s COVID-19 protocols.