WASHINGTON -- Members of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce gathered in the nation's capital this week to meet with federal agency officials as well as members of the Arkansas congressional delegation.
They weren't the only Arkansas businessmen in town. The chambers of commerce in Jonesboro and Fort Smith also sent groups to learn and lobby on Capitol Hill.
This is the Hot Springs chamber's third annual fly-in and it's becoming increasingly popular, according to Jim Fram, the organization's president and chief executive officer.
"The first year, we had 12. Last year 21. This year 33. Next year we're probably going to have to find a larger venue," he said.
The rapid growth "tells us that people are concerned about federal issues that impact Hot Springs and Garland County and they're interested in coming up here to find out how we can work with our members of Congress in making things better," he said.
Tuesday, they met with five of the six members of the state's congressional delegation and checked in with the National Park Service. They also toured the U.S. Capitol with a fellow Hot Springs resident -- 4th District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman. Wednesday morning, they were greeted by Jane Chu, the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts and an Arkadelphia native.
Before leaving town, they also got a briefing from Staci Pies, Google's senior public-policy and government relations counsel.
Les Warren, president of Hot Springs Title, said the visits are important.
"We've started building a really good rapport with our delegation, getting to where we know their staffs," he said.
When a problem arises or a question pops up, they now know who to call, he said.
"It's become a very competitive world. You're either moving forward or you're moving backwards. ... You're either becoming a city that survives or you're going to decline," he said.
On the day they headed for home, an entourage from Craighead County was just arriving.
Mark Young, the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce's president and CEO, said that roughly three dozen people would be coming.
"I think we've probably been doing this for 15 years or so. Maybe longer than that," he said.
The face time with officials is helpful, he said. "Having those relationships certainly benefits us as a community and as business people, so I think it's extremely important," he said.
The Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce wrapped up its annual Washington fly-in Wednesday night. Its itinerary included a trip to the Pentagon and visits with lawmakers from both Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Sam Sicard, chief executive officer of First National Bank of Fort Smith, said about 15 area businessmen participated.
Washington crafts "a tremendous amount of regulations" and when businesses encounter problems, it helps to have elected representatives who are willing to listen, Sicard said.
"Our congressmen and our senators are there to represent us, represent our state, of course, and our communities. As employers we want to address some of the challenges we have, some of the concerns we have and issues we have and give them the opportunity to assist us," he said.
Some of those concerns include Labor Department-mandated changes to overtime-eligibility rules and the ability of online businesses to conduct business in Arkansas and elsewhere without having to charge or collect sales tax revenue.
Although Fort Smith is in the 3rd Congressional District, Westerman was careful to carve out time so he could meet with them.
While the city itself may not be in his district, Westerman represents parts of Sebastian County and says that a lot of his constituents commute to jobs in the other district.
The first-term Republican said he tries to meet with every chamber of commerce group that comes to town, even if the visitors aren't technically his constituents.
Other Arkansans on Capitol Hill are the same way, he said.
"I think it has to do with being a small state," he said. "The district lines, we don't hardly think about it in those terms. We want people from Arkansas to know that our delegation is working together for the whole state."
U.S. Sen. John Boozman agreed that chamber groups are a priority.
"I think they're very important. Certainly the chambers of commerce are the biggest advocates for job growth and development in their region. They know their areas better than anyone else, and they're truly a great voice on the ground in the particular community that they represent, so it allows us to get face to face with them," the Rogers Republican said.
There'll be more opportunities for chamber of commerce face time next month.
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, which includes businesses from across the state, is to hold its 57th annual Washington Fly-In and Congressional Dinner on May 24. More than 100 people are expected to make the trip.
Business on 04/15/2016