IAPD Takes to Washington in successful performance plastics congressional fly-in

PlasticsInTheCommunity

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n May 21 – 22, 2024 IAPD members, staff and principals of IAPD’s government relations firm, OGR, gathered in Washington, D.C. USA to represent the performance plastics industry on Capitol Hill. Fifteen members from 14 different companies met with legislators and their staff to tell the story of our industry, advocate for mechanical and advanced recycling and oppose harmful legislation imposing taxes, substitutions and bans on performance plastics.

“I was so happy to see the turnout from the IAPD membership at the fly-in. Everyone was well prepared and energized. We had a full day of meetings on Capitol Hill where we split into groups and met with both congressional Republicans and Democrats to discuss performance plastics and its importance to our society. I was fortunate to meet with my local Congressman, Representative Frank Mrvan (D-IN), to share the impact our business has in his district,” said IAPD Government Relations Committee Vice Chair Leah Konrady, Konrady Plastics, Inc. “Overall, IAPD and OGR made an impact in D.C. I’m excited to see the next steps in our legislative strategy.”

Karen Brock-Amoah, Chris Corona, Susan Avery, and Max Miller posing for a group photo surrounded by military memorabilia

Karen Brock-Amoah, SIMONA AMERICA Group, Chris Corona, CartierWilson LLC and Susan Avery, IAPD photographed with Representative Max Miller (R-OH).

Delegates of the IAPD Performance Plastics Congressional Fly-In dressed formally and taking a group photo in the Sam Johnson Room of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Delegates of the IAPD Performance Plastics Congressional Fly-In photographed in the Sam Johnson Room of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. USA.
Back row, left to right: Bill Barth, Piedmont Plastics – Corporate Charlotte; John Temple, PLASKOLITE; Sher’ron Underwood, Polymershapes – Dallas; Randall Kirkpatrick, Artek, Inc.; Bob Healy, Mitsubishi Chemical Group; Chris Corona, CartierWilson LLC; Deborah Ragsdale, Polymer Industries; Hayden Hess, Industrial Plastic Supply, Inc.; Leah Konrady, Konrady Plastics, Inc.
First row, left to right: Jim Richards, PLASKOLITE; Susan Avery, IAPD; Peter DelGado, Curbell Plastics, Inc.; Mike Howser, Palram Americas, Inc.; Ken Schwartz, Covestro LLC – Specialty Films.

While in D.C., delegates of the fly-in met with 33 legislators and congressional staff members from across the country. Delegates met with legislators and staffers on key congressional committees, as well as those representing the states and districts their companies operate in, offering those in D.C. a powerful look into what real constituents living and working in their regions do, and how their districts benefit from performance plastics.

“The opportunity to present the attributes of performance plastics to our federal legislative members, regardless of party affiliation, is paramount to our members’ continued success and without obstacles,” commented IAPD Government Relations Committee Chair Mike Howser, Palram Americas, Inc. “The fly-in was the best I have experienced as it was well prepared and coordinated to allow us to deliver an aligned message to Congress for supporting performance plastics. Many thanks to the IAPD team and OGR for a solid performance!”

The fly-in served as IAPD’s re-entry into D.C. and the connections made during the meetings on the hill have set the stage for the next steps in IAPD’s legislative agenda.

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