Invitation only.

This will include meetings for both the ARA Political Action Committee (ARAPAC) as well as the ARA Public Policy Committee. If you are part of either of these Committees or are interested in grassroots advocacy, this meeting is for you!

If you are a part of the ARA Member Services Committee or are interested in identifying what ARA member retailers and suppliers need to be competitive, this meeting is for you. 

Invitation only.

Enjoy a plated lunch and network with fellow ARA members.

Listen in to the subject matter experts speaking to timely public policy issues. More information on the speakers will be shared closer to the event. 

This meeting is limited to only members of the Investment Committee, which is made up of ARA Board members.

If you are a part of the ARA Conference Planning Committee or would like to contribute to the planning of future ARA Conference & Expo events, this meeting is for you. 

All attendees are invited to the Networking Reception, held Monday from 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. at the El Rey restaurant, located directly below the ARA office suite at 4201 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, Va. This is a short 5-minute walk from the meeting space at the Westin Arlington hotel. View walking directions HERE.

Enjoy beer, wine, and margaritas along with chips, salsa and guacamole. Tours of the ARA office will be offered.

Note: wrist bands will be inserted into registration badges for those signed up to attend. If you did not sign up but would still like to attend, visit the registration area or see an ARA staff member for a wrist band.

The ARA Board of Directors are invited to a private dinner at the host hotel following the reception.

Note: this is limited to ARA Board of Directors.

During breakfast, participants will learn about what to expect during the meetings with their elected representatives in Congress later in the day on Capitol Hill. 

The legislative fly-in visits will take place in congressional offices on Capitol Hill in Washington. This is an opportunity for ARA members to meet with their legislators in Congress along with their staff to discuss issues related to ag retail. 

ARA members will be grouped by their state and assigned specific meeting times with their elected officials in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Specific meeting times will be shared closer to the event. 

One bus will be available outside of The Westin Arlington to shuttle participants to Capitol Hill at 8:30 a.m. Note: If you have a Congressional Visit on the earlier side, please plan to call a ride share with your group in order to ensure timeliness.

Following visits with members of congress, attendees are invited to join congressional leaders and staff for refreshments.

Following our Congressional Reception, ARAPAC Donors are invited to a reception and dinner with members of congress at the Capitol Hill Club from 7-9pm. For more information on how you can attend, please contact Richard or Hunter (richard@aradc.org and hunter@aradc.org).

Enjoy breakfast provided at the host hotel. 

All ARA members are welcome to observe the ARA Board of Directors meeting. In addition to the meeting agenda items, Surface Transportation Board chair Martin Oberman will present as our guest speaker.