2025 VBA/ABA Washington Summit
In-Person Attendee Event Portal

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Thank you for registering for the 2025 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.

Complete this questionnaire to notify us of your attendance plans at VBA-hosted events while at the Summit.

View the ABA Program Here!

Agenda & Session Locations

View the ABA Program Here!

Learn More About the Keynote Speakers Here!

Sunday, April 6 - All events on this day take place at the Marriott Marquis.

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Forum Welcome Reception, Honoring Emerging Leaders Forum Scholarship Recipients

Monday, April 7 - All events on this day take place at the Marriott Marquis.
7:00 - 6:00 p.m. – Registration Open
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. – The Forums Breakfast 
8:00 – 9:45 a.m. – Women and Allies Forum
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Emerging Leaders Forum 
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Networking Lunch 
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Emerging Leaders Forum
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. – Orientation for Capitol Hill Visits
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Opening Reception – Must have a badge to attend
8:30 p.m. – VBA Emerging Bank Leaders Meet-Up (RSVP here; see below for more information)
Tuesday, April 8 – Morning events and lunch will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Registration Open
7:30 – 8:15 a.m. – Breakfast
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. – General Session 
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Luncheon
Starting at 12:30 p.m. - Travel time to get to Capitol Hill visits
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Capitol Hill Visits – See below for more information.*
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – VBA/MBA/DCBA Joint Reception: Sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta at Art & Soul (RSVP here; see below for more information)
Wednesday, April 9 - All events on this day take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Registration Open
7:30 – 8:15 a.m. – Breakfast
8:30 – 11:00 a.m. – General Session 
 
 
 
*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.

Legislative Issue Briefs

2025 Legislative and Regulatory Priorities

More information will be available closer to the Summit!

Tuesday Afternoon Legislative Visits Information

  • Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine: 3:30-4:00 PM

Specific locations and times for additional Tuesday afternoon legislative visits* are still being confirmed. We will provide an update on locations and specific 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

View the key legislator information for Capitol Hill meetings here!

Tips for Your Visits

Bankers make loans and members of Congress make laws. It is essential that both groups work together to develop a better understanding of the public policy challenges that face banking. Both the VBA and ABA will provide you with information on specific legislative items for discussion (see the Legislative Issue Briefs dropdown above).  Please take the time to consider the following do’s and don’ts to make the most out of your visit.

  • Do your homework. 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, customers and community.

  • 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.

  • Dress and pack accordingly, as you will be required to pass through security on the Hill. Due to these security measures, leaving all non-essential personal items in your hotel room is advisable.

  • Don’t be afraid to participate in the conversation! 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. 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!). 

  • Bring business cards and offer to be a resource after the visit. 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 the Maryland Bankers Association and D.C. Bankers Association, Hosted by FHLBank Atlanta

Attendee Roster

View the Attendee Roster here!

Hotel Information

Currently, the ABA housing blocks are sold out over the peak dates of the 2025 ABA Washington Summit. A waitlist option is available, should cancellations occur, and rooms become available.

To add your name to the waitlist, please contact abahousing@spargoinc.com with your name, company, and desired arrival and departure dates.

For your convenience, the ABA has provided a list of hotels that are close to the Washington Summit. Please note, ABA is not currently holding rooms at any of these hotel properties and cannot guarantee availability or rates at any of the properties listed below.

Pre-Summit Briefing – March 27 at 1:00 PM

Register here for the Get Ready Webinar: 2025 Washington Summit, on March 27, at 1:00 PM. ABA staff will prepare you for Capitol Hill visits, and you’ll hear about the Forums and additional networking opportunities at this year’s Washington Summit. ABA speakers include: 

  • Matt Brown, Senior Vice President, State Association Alliance
  • Peter Cook, Chief Communications Officer
  • Lauren Dwyer, Vice President, Executive Education & CEO Programs
  • Cathy Nestrick, Vice President, Women’s Leadership Initiative
  • Joe Pigg, Senior Vice President and Counsel, Sustainable Finance and Mortgage Policy
  • Kirsten Sutton, Executive Vice President, Congressional Relations
  • Caitlin Taylor, Vice President, State Association Alliance

VBA Onsite Staff Contact Information

Gabby Bond
Manager, Communications & Emerging Bank Leaders
gbond@vabankers.org
757.561.3072

Matt Bruning
EVP, Government & Member Relations
mbruning@vabankers.org
804.366.8688

DeMarion Johnston
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association & VBA
djohnston@vabankers.org
804.350.2418

Monica McDearmon
VP, Communications & Financial Education
mmcdearmon@vabankers.org
804.363.9347

Chandler Owdom
SVP, Communications & Strategy
cowdom@vabankers.org
804.839.8420

John Snead
SVP, Member Relations
jsnead@vabankers.org
804.929.3033

Bruce Whitehurst
President & CEO, Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association & VBA
bruce@vabankers.org
804.241.3223