Small Business Owners Meet With Lawmakers

President Bush rallies small business owners around his trade, health care, and tax proposals.

At the U.S. Chamber's Small Business Summit, President George W. Bush praised small businesses and the Chamber for their contributions to the economy and to the policy debate in Washington, D.C.

During his remarks on April 18, the president singled out the Chamber and its members for pushing a pro-growth business agenda, including passage of the economic stimulus bill. "I want to thank members of Congress and members of the Chamber for working on what I believe is going to be a very effective pro-growth stimulus package," Bush said. "Thank you for being dreamers and doers. One of the reasons I spend a lot of time talking about small business owners in America is because I truly believe that you represent what makes America great," he said to a loud round of applause.

The president also called for support of a free trade agreement with Colombia, which has stalled in the House. The agreement, he said, would benefit 8,000 small and midsize companies that currently face substantial tariffs. Summit attendees responded, sending more than 400 e-mails urging their members of Congress to support the deal. The president also promised to veto union card check legislation should it reach his desk, and he warned the audience that the average American will pay $4,000 more in taxes if Congress does not make permanent his tax cuts, which are set to expire in 2010. 

Chamber Members March to Capitol Hill

Many summit attendees took the Chamber's broader economic growth message straight to the Capitol, meeting with their representatives during the Rally on the Hill. Chamber members discussed taxes, energy, transportation, and health care, in addition to trade. Small business owner Jami Bestgen, co-owner of Bachman Jewelers in St. Cloud, Minnesota, discussed small business health plans, federal funding for transportation projects, and preserving earmarks during meetings with Minnesota Sens. Norm Coleman (R) and Amy Klobuchar (D) and Reps. Michele Bachmann (R) and Timothy Walz (D). "We believe that for us to go out and send our messages—not just once but twice—can only help, and hopefully they'll remember them when they're on the floor making decisions," Bestgen said.

Before heading to the Hill, attendees got a thorough lobbying lesson from one of the Chamber's head lobbyists, Rolf Lundberg. And Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue gave a rousing speech, exhorting members to "speak up and be heard."

Chamber members also benefitted from instructional sessions on recruiting, marketing, and staying ahead of the technological curve. Beth Goldstein, founder of Marketing Edge Consulting, discussed her eight marketing milestones, which include knowing your clients' needs and interests, identifying your competitors, and creating alliances with other businesses that target similar customers. Diane Frankenfeld, vice president of eBusiness Strategy at Monster, provided tips on knowing when to hire, finding the right candidates, and conducting interviews. Ronald Monford of Mind Over Machines talked about how to walk the line between budget constraints and technological needs.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) made a strong case for small business health plan legislation, which he has introduced in the Senate, and former White House Chiefs of Staff Andy Card and Thomas "Mack" McLarty, as well as political analysts Charlie Cook and Stuart Rothenberg, opined on the national political scene and the presidential race.

Permac Industries of Burnsville, Minnesota, was voted winner of the Small Business of the Year Award. Seven regional award finalists and 55 Blue Ribbon Award winners were also recognized.

The summit garnered national press attention, including a simulcast from C-SPAN and coverage by Voice of America and The Washington Post. A St. Cloud, Minnesota, radio station broadcast live from the summit.

For online coverage, go to www.uschambersummit.com/.