Sometimes, an important part of legislative advocacy involves swapping state fair stories.
During the 2026 CAI Congressional Advocacy Summit, advocates took a few moments to share their fond memories of attending the Minnesota State Fair and sampling popular treats, such as cheese curds, before getting down to business.
The friendly exchange highlighted the value of building connections and nurturing relationships with congressional staff and lawmakers when discussing issues important to community associations.
More than 100 advocates from 27 states and the District of Columbia gathered on Capitol Hill last week to educate federal lawmakers and their staff on policy issues affecting those living and working in communities nationwide and to ask for their support on several priorities affecting associations now before Congress.
During meetings with staff from Minnesota representatives Ilhan Omar and Tom Emmer, Alyson Astleford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Chris Charbonneau, CMCA, and Jim Rosvold, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, kibitzed while soliciting congressional support on several key industry issues. They each brought their own informed perspectives to the breezy discussion. Their low-key, affable style smoothly combined industry knowledge with humble, succinct requests. They didn’t just ask for something; they deftly posed questions and subtly built on previous conversations with staffers.
The interactions illustrated an astute and effective way of approaching advocacy. Successful activism is a sophisticated blend of easy banter, information, and relationship building. The Minnesota trio offered a master class in graceful industry advocacy during the summit in Washington, D.C.
Federal disaster relief, insurance and housing affordability, condominium financing and safety, amateur radio, and the repeal of the Corporate Transparency Act were among the federal priorities advocates addressed during the summit. Many of these issues have been on the congressional docket in the past, but the history may be helpful in cementing awareness of the industry and cultivating long-lasting relationships with lawmakers and their staff that will foster future legislation protecting community associations.
>>Learn more about the Congressional Advocacy Summit in “CAI Takes Advocacy to Capitol Hill.”
