2024 11th ANNUAL

NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE

Event Dates

June 23rd - June 25th

Location

Holiday Inn Capitol, Washington D.C.

About The Conference

NAC 2024 is returning to Washington D.C. for the 11th iteration of the event! Both individuals, small groups, and teams may register. We’ll walk you through the basics of advocacy while focusing on how to build and leverage relationships with elected offcials to advance STEM programs and your team/school’s goals. We will provide a hands-on and practical introduction on what skills you need to be an effective advocate for STEM at the local, state, and federal levels.

We’ve coached over 2,000 students to talk to their Members of Congress and advocate to expand STEM opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations. In order to change our culture to value STEM, we must get our policy makers in our nation's capitol on board, first by knowing about, and then by supporting robotics and STEM education. If we aren’t there telling them about our experiences, who is? This conference will prepare students and mentors for meetings with their Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill.

We will train you on the do’s and don'ts of these meetings and give you time to practice and organize your talking points so you are ready to advocate to your Representatives and Senators. We will be available to help you navigate Capitol Hill and for anything else you may need. This conference will be valuable for those who have attended NAC in the past, as well as new advocates just starting to think about affecting local, state, and federal policy. If this is your first time meeting with your Senators or Representatives, we will focus on relationship building. If you've already formed a meaningful relationship, we will be introducing you to some advanced advocacy techniques in advocating for robotics and STEM initiatives.

The material is geared for high school students, particularly students in robotics. Students will gain a tremendous amount of self-confidence and public speaking abilities as they learn, prepare, and lead meetings with Senators and Representatives. You will also have the chance to ask your school if there are any local issues they would like you to bring forward. Students and mentors alike will be enlightened by how their government works, leading to a stronger interest in advocacy in the future while also creating positive impacts in their community and the rest of the nation.

What is Included?

Each registered participant receives an advance digital briefing booklet of materials, breakfast and lunch on Monday, and refreshments at the reception on Tuesday. We will provide a guide and contact information along with detailed instructions for scheduling meetings with your Senators, Members of Congress, and their staff. You will book your hotel rooms when you register for the conference online.

Who is Invited?

This conference is for mentors, parents, and students on U.S. robotics teams. Students can attend on their own with a parent or chaperone, as an entire team, or with another team.
We highly recommend putting a group together with students from multiple teams in your area to expand your outreach and allow for additional Congressional meetings while you are in Washington, DC. Participants (students/mentors/parents) attend a day and a half of training and then a full day of meetings on Capitol Hill with their Senators and Members of Congress.