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.
Registration Rates
Rates are per participant and are due in full upon confirmation
Join SASA now for as little as $25/year
Early Bird SASA Member Rate | $295.00 per person | Available until 3/29/24 |
SASA Member Rate | $325.00 per person | Available until 5/17/24 |
Late SASA Member Rate | $355.00 per person | Available after 5/17/24 |
Non SASA Member | $355.00 per person | Available anytime |
Refund Policy: Registrations are fully refundable until March 21st, 2024. Names of participants can be switched anytime until the event. Hotel rooms are fully refundable up until May 17th, 2024.
Member Pricing: To access member pricing please click on the link at the bottom of any of our newsletter or login to your SASA Member portal on JoinIt.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Our SASA staff is happy to help or answer any questions you may have.
Please email or call: 248-419-1189 or [email protected]
Register Online at www.mysasa.org
Conference Agenda
(The agenda will change as speakers are confirmed)
Sunday, June 23, 2024
9:00 AM | First Timer’s Session (optional) |
11:00 AM | Lunch on Your Own (w/ participants from your state) |
12:30 PM | Capitol Ballroom Doors Open |
1:00 PM | Welcome |
2:00 PM | Government Overview |
2:15 PM | Policy Legislation |
3:15 PM | Break |
3:30 PM | Keynote Speaker |
4:00 PM | Appropriations 101 |
4:45 PM | State Advocacy Conference |
5:00 PM | Trivia (Prizes) |
5:30 PM | Walk to the Capitol for Team and Group Pictures Dinner on Your Own |
Monday, June 24, 2024
7:30 AM | Breakfast Opens |
8:00 AM | Capitol Ballroom Opens |
8:30 AM | What's Going on in DC? |
9:00 AM | ESSA and Title IV-A |
9:45 AM | State Advocacy Conference |
10:00 AM | FIRST's Advocacy Efforts |
10:30 AM | Break |
10:45 AM | CHIPS |
11:30 AM | Career and Technical Education |
12:00 PM | Lunch & Teambuilder |
1:00 PM | REC Foundation Update and Advocacy Efforts |
1:30 PM | How to Run an Effective Meeting & Capitol Logistics |
2:15 PM | Advocacy and Your Local School Board |
2:30 PM | Live Practice Meeting |
3:00 PM | Panel Discussion w/ Q&A |
4:00 PM | State Breakout Meetings and Practice |
5:30 PM |
Adjournment- Dinner on Your Own Walk to the Capitol Building for Pictures (Rain Date) |
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
8:00 AM | Hill Meetings Based on Your Team/State Schedule |
5:00 PM | SASA NAC Congressional Reception |
7:00 PM | SASA NAC Congressional Reception Ends - Conference Adjournment |
Additional Travel Planning
Destination Airports: You can fly into any of the three airports: Reagan (DCA), Dulles (IAD), or Baltimore (BWI), Reagan is closest. Dullers or Baltimore may offer cheaper flights, but you may need a Shuttle Service to get from the airport to the host hotel. You should plan to arrive at the hotel by 8am on Sunday, June 23, 2024 if this is the first time you are attending the conference. Otherwise, plan to arrive at 12pm. You can make arrangements to fly out anytime on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 or later.
Destination Transportation: Reagan is the closest airport and is just a quick cab or shuttle ride to/from the hotel. You may also take the Metro from either DCA or IAD. If you plan to ride the Metro, you may want to buy a SmarTrip Metro Card.
Host Hotel
$239.00 per room/night plus 15.95% taxes and fees
Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street SW, Washington DC, 20024
(within walking distance to Capitol Hill)
Room Type: 2 Queen Beds (Sleeps 4). Amenities Include:
- Starbucks on property
- Complimentary wireless internet
- Rooftop outdoor pool
- In room refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker
- Fitness room
- In-hotel restaurant, lobby market
- 24-hour room service
Note: No outside food or beverage allowed in the hotel.
Check In: 3 pm / Check Out: 12 pm / Check In Age: 21
What Should I Bring?
Each student or mentor should have:
- Business cards (at least 10 each)
- Informational one-page handout on your Team / School District (at least 10)
- Umbrella in case of rain
- Swimsuit
- Comfortable shoes and casual clothes for sightseeing in the evening
- SmarTrip Metro Cards
(if you want to go sightseeing: purchase in advance at www.wmata.com)
What Should I Wear?
- Sunday and Monday, you will wear team uniforms.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Formal dress attire for Tuesday Capitol Hill meetings
(suit and tie, pants suit, other business professional equivalent) - Wear two pairs of socks with dress shoes to avoid blisters from all the walking.
2024 National Advocacy Conference
Registration Information
Registration & Room Block Reservations
Group leaders wishing to hold a courtesy block of registrations and rooms for up to 15 days without deposit, please BOOK ONLINE by going to mysasa.org or call SASA at 248-419-1189. All holds will expire not later than 05/17/24. This event has limited capacity and space is on a first come, first served basis. Fully paid registrations will receive priority confirmation. Additional terms and conditions apply. Registrations are fully refundable until March 21st, 2024.
What is SASA?
SASA is the Student Association for STEM Advocacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging students in advocating to expand STEM opportunities to underprivileged individuals and underserved communities. We have developed over 2000 informed, confident, and prepared student advocates over the last 10 years to make their voices heard within federal, state, and local governments.
Note for Group Registration: If you are registering as a team, we suggest bringing up to 12 for the optimal group size for your Congressional meetings. You can certainly have more people attend, but you may not want to have the entire group over 12 in each Congressional meeting. You can also register as an individual if your team does not want to come, or you might be able to tag along with a nearby team. PLEASE COMPLETE ONE REGISTRATION PER GROUP ONLINE at www.mysasa.org. For groups larger than 10 please contact the SASA staff at [email protected].
PAYMENT: If you choose to pay with check, please REGISTER ONLINE and send a check made out to Student Association for STEM Advocacy to the address 9340 Dixie Highway Clarkston, MI 48348 within 14 days to maintain this registration. If you choose to pay with a Personal or Business Credit Card, you will be able to process that payment through our online registration system. Contact us if you need any help with payments. We accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit card payments, checks, and school purchase orders.
PLEASE NOTE: By registering for this conference, you understand the payment guidelines above, and acknowledge that your registration will only tentatively hold your space for up to 14 days until payment is received. Registrations with payment receive priority confirmation, and all holds will expire no later than May 17th, 2024, or upon booking after this date. You will pay any final balance due by May 17th, 2024 or at time of booking after this day.
Contact our SASA staff for more details, pricing, and questions at:
248-419-1189 or [email protected]