NAMA announced that its government affairs division recently hosted its April Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. Led by Eric Dell, NAMA’s senior vice president of government affairs, the delegation included Craig Kushner, NAMA board member and president, Monumental Vending in Beltsville, Md., and David Meyers, owner of Jades Vending in Rockville, Md., and past president of the Maryland-DC Vending Association.
The meetings, with members of Congress and staff who serve on the House Financial Services Committee, focused on policy discussions regarding the U.S. Mint’s ongoing research on proposed new metallic coin content. The delegation also worked to introduce lawmakers to the industry and educate them on the economic impact of the vending and refreshment services industry to the national economy and their congressional districts.
“We led discussions with congressional representatives and their staffs who have direct involvement on the future of the coin issue presently before the U.S. Mint,” said Dell in a prepared statement. “In total, NAMA’s delegation met with eight congressional offices, with two of those meetings involving members of Congress,” he continued.
“On my first visit to advocate on Capitol Hill for the industry, I was impressed with the genuine interest and support for the vending and foodservice industry by both staff members and members of Congress,” said Meyers. “I feel like my participation made a difference and I urge others to join the government affairs division for one of the monthly advocacy days.”
“It was nice to meet two local Maryland members of Congress and inform them of what Monumental is doing in their districts and how potential changes in the content of coins will detrimentally impact the industry affecting jobs and small business in their districts,” Kushner concluded.
