For several years now, DDC Advocacy has been an enthusiastic sponsor of the US Chamber’s Committee of 100, a prestigious group that provides leading association CEOs the opportunity to increase executive skills, build partnerships, and jointly explore current issues that impact every organization across the entire spectrum of industries. Represented at the gathering were heads of nearly 30 organizations for which DDCA provides advocacy programs and services.

 This year’s meeting was particularly interesting, as DDCA had the opportunity to co-host dinner where Eric Greitens, former Navy Seal, Rhodes Scholar, White House fellow, founder of The Mission Continues, and NY Times best-selling author of "The Heart and The Fist" was our speaker.  The group that gathered was most interested to hear …

DDC Advocacy hosted a lunch and learn session yesterday to provide an overview of strategies shaping today’s legislative and regulatory challenges. It was a huge success! Thank you to all who attended. As a follow up, we wanted to summarize yesterday’s event.

What is the new advocacy reality?

Government relations professionals, lobbyists and political consultants should treat regulatory issues like legislative issues. It has been proven over and over again—issue campaigns that pursue effective advocacy and public affairs strategy yield results and win on issues. Typically, these campaigns are designed to impact legislative and political …

Last night CNN provided the nation with its first glimpse into the larger 2012 Republican Presidential field by hosting a Republican primary debate for seven declared and potential candidates at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.  While more than a few interesting storylines will emerge from that debate, more telling may be CNN’s latest horse race poll, released prior to the fireworks yesterday.

While it is hardly a surprise to see Mitt Romney continuing to lead the Republican hopefuls, digging a little deeper into the numbers provides some interesting clues on not only the candidates, but the issues that are going to shape the primary season. 

Today, more than ever, government relations professionals, lobbyists, and consultants need new ways to impact pending legislation and regulations.  In representing trade associations, corporations, and non-profits, these professionals need every advantage to successfully shape issues and outcomes.  Advocacy is making a key difference on winning or losing. 

Tomorrow, DDC Advocacy will be hosting a lunch and learn session where I will be presenting what the new advocacy reality is. In sum, our presentation will focus on two things:

·         The need to treat regulatory issues like legislative issues;

·         How to effectively impact the regulatory process with advocacy strategies and …

The Government Relations Leadership Forum held a member-guest luncheon this past Friday, sponsored in part by DDC Advocacy. Juan Zarate, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism was the keynote speaker. His remarks were extremely poignant in light of recent events in the Middle East, as he shared his insights into al-Qaeda, terrorism in the Middle East, and the turmoil in North Africa. Juan’s extensive knowledge of the War on Terror led to an extremely engaging Q&A period, during which GRLF members learned that among his most noteworthy accomplishments was leading global efforts to hunt Sadam Hussein’s assets, resulting in the return of more than $3 billion of Iraqi wealth. Juan concluded by reassuring participants that US  resources and our incredibly skilled …

John Dunagan, one of our senior strategists, previously Michigan's Executive Director for the Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign, was asked by The Daily Caller, to participate in a bi-partisan online symposium on the 2012 Presidential Campaign.  In his post, Dunagan explains that the most important issue for the GOP to tackle in the coming 2012 race is the economy.  The Republican nominee must assure the American people that he or she has the answer to 9% unemployment and record deficits, and establish his or her own competency in dealing with America’s biggest economic challenges.  According to Dunagan, the nominee must target key battleground states, such as Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, where the failing economy has hit hardest. 

Many thanks to all for another successful J Street Cup tournament!

On a beautiful Monday in May, government relations professionals enjoyed a round of golf at Mount Vernon Country Club, not merely to bask in the glorious weather, but to support the men and women of our armed services and their families in our annual J Street Cup.

For the 9th year in a row, DDC Advocacy has been a proud sponsor of the J Street Cup to benefit The Fisher House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military services by providing “comfort homes” built on …

The 9th Annual “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner was held on March 29th at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.  Emceed by NBC Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and MSNBC Host Andrea Mitchell, the evening was a great success and for a worthy cause - proceeds of the event benefit the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The mission of the Foundation is to drive research for the prevention, treatment and cure of retinal degenerative diseases affecting more than 10 million Americans.

Since its inception in 1971, the Foundation has raised more than $425 million. DDC Advocacy’s Chief Executive Officer, B.R. McConnon, was in attendance and has been a proud supporter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness for several years.  To learn more about the Foundation, click here.

DDC Advocacy’s B.R. McConnon, Brownstein Hyatt’s Judy Black and Charlie Black.

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