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44th AnnualLegislative Action

ConferenceFebruary 28-March 1, 2016

Washington, D.C.

Early Bird Registration deadline:January 22, 2016

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 278:00 am–5:00 pm Registration 8:00 am–12:00 pm SNS Credentialing Exam 12:00 pm–5:00 pm SNA PAC Booth1:00 pm–4:00 pm PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION: Congress: Politics, Procedures and Power

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 288:00 am–5:00 pm Registration 8:00 am–5:00 pm SNA PAC Booth8:30 am–9:30 am Regional Legislative Meetings (open to all)9:45 am–10:45 am BREAKOUT SESSIONS - LAC First Timers - Industry Exchange (Part 1) - State Agency Section Meeting (Part 1) - Fine-tuning Your Messages for Successful Media Interviews11:00 am–12:00 pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS - Innovating Your Meal Service with Summer Meals - #SocialMedia: How to Stay Positive, Deal with Negativity and Expand Your Reach - Industry Exchange (Part 2) - State Agency Section Meeting (Part 2)12:00 pm–1:30 pm LAC Luncheon with special performance by The Capitol Steps1:30 pm–2:30 pm OPENING GENERAL SESSION AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER Amy Walter2:30 pm–3:00 pm Networking Break3:00 pm–4:15 pm FIRST GENERAL SESSION: The State of School Nutrition Procurement

4:30 pm–5:30 pm State Presidents & Presidents-Elect Meeting4:30 pm–5:30 pm State Legislative Chairs

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 298:00 am–5:00 pm Registration 8:00 am–5:00 pm SNA PAC Booth8:30 am–10:30 am SECOND GENERAL SESSION: USDA 2016 Update10:30 am–11:00 am Networking Break11:00 am–12:00 pm THIRD GENERAL SESSION: A Critical Link: State Agency Perspectives on Child Nutrition Programs12:00 pm–2:00 pm LAC Luncheon2:00 pm–4:15 pm FOURTH AND CLOSING GENERAL SESSIONS: Part 1: Relationship Building with Lawmakers and Why it’s Important

Part 2: Presentation of the SNA 2016 Position Paper and Charge to the Hill!4:30 pm–5:30 pm State Group—Capitol Hill Prep Meetings7:00 pm–9:30 pm School Nutrition Foundation’s CELEBRATION OF SCHOOL NUTRITION HEROES

TUESDAY, MARCH 18:00 am–5:00 pm Hill Visits

(Times, events and speakers are subject to change.)

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

WELCOME

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Iam thrilled to welcome you all to the

School Nutrition Association’s (SNA)

44th Legislative Action Conference

(LAC)! This is the time to make sure your

voice is heard on Capitol Hill, as Congress

prepares to take the next steps on Child

Nutrition Reauthorization. I am certain

that this conference will provide you with

valuable information that will allow you to

advocate for our school nutrition pro-

grams not only in person while you are in

D.C., but also throughout the year in your

districts. SNA will provide you the tools

to advocate back in your home states and

communities through inviting Congress

to your cafeterias, promoting your pro-

grams, social media and engaging in policy

debates.

We have a fantastic conference aimed

at providing SNA members with the op-

portunity to learn, exchange ideas, engage

in discussions and be inspired. You’ll also

enjoy a new streamlined three-day con-

ference agenda, two luncheons—all in a

beautiful brand-new setting, the newest

and largest hotel in the nation’s capital—

the four-star Marriott Marquis! With over

105,000 square feet of function space, the

hotel is a modern, beautifully appointed

addition to the CityCenter and Penn Quar-

ter neighborhoods—while still centrally

located to area attractions and LAC’s

stomping ground…Capitol Hill!

Our breakout sessions will focus on

key topics essential for successful pro-

grams and will cover summer meals, social

media and media training. We are also

thrilled about our General Sessions that will

continue to explore the political landscape,

the upcoming 2016 Presidential Election

and its impact on the next Congress.

And to lighten things up, we will

welcome back the Capitol Steps, a satirical

entertainment group who will poke biparti-

san fun across the aisles.

LAC remains the premier legislative

event because you bring your expertise

from the frontlines of feeding America’s

children and share them directly with

Congress. School nutrition has expanded

beyond the world of cafeteria lunches to

include breakfast in the classroom, supper

programs, after school snacks and summer

meals. This is your opportunity to inform

and educate your elected leaders on the

business side of school nutrition.

Again, welcome to LAC 2016 and on

behalf of myself and the SNA Board of

Directors, thank you for your commitment

to the health of our children.

Jean Ronnei, SNS

2015-16 SNA President

KEYNOTE SPEAKEr &The capitol steps

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2812:00 pm-1:30 pm

LAC Luncheon with Special Performance by the Capitol StepsAfter a productive morning of confer-

ence meetings and education

sessions, a delicious luncheon

awaits you in the Marriott Mar-

quis’ exquisite Marquis Salon.

Make the most of this oppor-

tunity to network with your colleagues

and peers, and then sit back and enjoy a

one-of-a-kind performance by the Capitol

Steps.

The Capitol Steps began as a group

of Senate staffers who set out to satirize

the very people and places that employed

them. The group was born in December

1981, and they continue to dig into the

headlines of the day, and create song paro-

dies and skits which convey a special brand

of satirical humor.

Since they began, the Capitol Steps

have recorded over 30 albums, including

their latest, Mock the Vote. They’ve been

featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS,

and can be heard twice a year on National

Public Radio stations nationwide during

their Politics Takes a Holiday radio

specials.

1:30 pm-2:30 pmOpening General SessionKEYNOTE SPEAKER: AMY WALTER

At LAC 2016, attendees will

be taken on an insider’s tour

of Washington through the

eyes of the woman with her finger on the

pulse of politics. Over the past 14 years,

Amy Walter has built a reputation as an

accurate, objective and insightful political

analyst with unparalleled access to cam-

paign insiders and decision-makers. Known

as one of the best political journalists

covering Washington, she is the national

editor of the Cook Political Report and the

former political director of

ABC News.

Walter has provided

election night coverage and

analysis since 1998 and was a

member of CNN’s Emmy-award winning

election night team in 2006. She has also

been a regular contributor to PBS’ News-

Hour with Jim Lehrer and Washington

Week with Gwen Ifill. She has provided

political analysis on virtually every major

political program on television.

In her presentations, Walter speaks

with aplomb about the electoral process,

congressional culture and the Washington

political scene. Her astuteness, wit and

range of expertise create an engaging,

compelling presentation, and her reliable

and accurate analysis has earned her nu-

merous accolades. Named one of the “Top

50 Journalists” by Washingtonian maga-

zine, Walter has been frequently quoted as

a Congressional election expert in newspa-

pers such as The Wall Street

Journal, The Washington Post

and The New York Times.

As we join together to

advocate for legislation and

policies that positively shape

and impact school nutrition pro-

grams, you’ll be fascinated by

Walter’s insights into the mechan-

ics that make the political machine

run; including her thoughts and

predictions for the 2016 presidential elec-

tion.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 278:00 am-12:00 pm

SNS Credentialing ExamThe School Nutrition Specialist (SNS)

Credentialing Exam will be administered

at LAC on Saturday, February 27. Reg-

istration, approval and payment of fees

must have been completed prior to LAC

and cannot be made onsite. To register,

contact SNA at (800) 877-8822 or certsns@

schoolnutrition.org. Fees: Members: $210;

Non-members: $305; Registration Dead-

line: February 6, 2016

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 271:00 pm-4:00 pm

Pre-Conference SessionCongress: Politics, Procedures and PowerSPEAKER: WALTER OLESZEK

Congress is the “first branch” of

our national government and, like

many institutions, it is constantly

undergoing change. The forces

of change are many—the influx

of new Members, the emer-

gence of new procedures,

the needs of the time, and so

on—and each can affect Congress’s

lawmaking capacities in numerous ways.

To provide insight and perspective on

this remarkable institution—the “people’s

branch”—are the goals of this pre-confer-

ence session on Congress’s lawmaking pro-

cesses. To fulfill these objectives, SNA has

organized a three-hour program that will

help everyone to better understand the

work and role of the House and Senate.

Specifically, three intertwined topics (The

Evolution of Power in Congress; An Act

of Congress; and Congress and Groups)

will be addressed by top congressional

analyst and scholar, Walter Oleszek. There

will be a brief break between each session.

Fee: $100

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 9:45 am-10:45 am

Breakout SessionsConference breakout sessions include

the popular LAC First Timers Session as

well as a two-hour gathering (Industry

Exchange and State Agency Meeting)

for these important member segments.

Additionally, learn the best strategies

for responding to media requests with

Fine-tuning Your Messages for Successful

Media Interviews.

11:00 am-12:00 pmBreakout SessionsThe breakout sessions

continue with part two of

Industry Exchange and the

State Agency Meeting, as

well as two additional hot topic

learning sessions: Innovating

Your Meal Service with Summer

Meals and #SocialMedia: How

to Stay Positive, Deal with Nega-

tivity and Expand Your Reach.

special sessions& events

special sessions& events

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 292:00 pm-4:15 pm

Fourth and Closing General Sessions Part 1: Relationship Building with Law-makers and Why It’s Important Building relationships with elected officials

can sometimes be difficult and uncom-

fortable. This presentation will help LAC

attendees overcome that discomfort, reveal-

ing the methods and benefits for building

relationships with elected officials. Partici-

pants will learn to whom Congress and state

legislators listen; what congressional staffers

believe are the most effective communi-

cations tactics for influencing undecided

Members of Congress; how to conduct

effective in-person meetings; ways to influ-

ence legislators at town hall meetings; as

well as strategies for effective advocacy in

the state/district.

Part 2: Presentation of the SNA 2016 Position Paper and Charge to the HillJoin us for the presentation of the SNA 2016

Position Paper and what will be an exciting

and inspirational close to LAC. You will leave

prepared for your Hill visits and to meet the

challenges back in your own districts.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 297:00 pm-9:30 pm

SNF Celebration of School Nutrition Heroes (Separate ticket

required—not included in LAC registration)

Join the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF)

and your friends and colleagues for an eve-

ning of celebration as we honor the extraor-

dinary commitment of five School Nutrition

Heroes.

Taking place in the elegant Marquis

Ballroom, LAC attendees will delight in a

delicious plated dinner service and inspiring

stories of heroes.

This event is an opportunity to applaud

the honorees, while also supporting the

Foundation’s efforts to provide scholarships

for SNA members to pursue their education-

al goals.

For more information, including a list

of the 2016 honorees, visit www.school

nutrition.org/SNHeroesCelebration.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18:00 am-5:00 pm

Day on Capitol HillBring your expertise, your passion and

your stories to Washington, D.C., and take

advantage of this annual opportunity to get

your message across to your state’s Con-

gressional delegation. This day is reserved

for visiting U.S. Representatives and Sen-

ators on Capitol Hill. If you plan to attend

LAC, contact your legislators’ offices now to

schedule appointments for this day.

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SNA 2016 Position PaperSNA’s 2016 Position Paper will be available

in January 2016 through the Legislative

Action Center on SNA’s website, as well

as onsite at LAC. If you need a District or

School Profile Sheet to complete and bring

with you for your visits on Capitol Hill, call

(800) 877-8822 and ask the SNA Service

Center to fax one to you or visit www.

schoolnutrition.org/districtprofiles to fill it

out online.

SNA Political Action Committee BoothWith your help, SNA’s Political Action

Committee (SNA PAC) works to support,

educate and thank Congressional members

who are involved and passionate about

SNA issues. Bring your questions and stop

by the booth at LAC to learn more about

how crucial your support is in helping to

meet the PAC goals.

LAC Cafeteria Site Visit Sweepstakes ...Time is Running Out!As SNA continues to promote school nutri-

tion programs in the halls of Congress, we

encourage our members to join us by invit-

ing their Members of the U.S. Congress to

tour your cafeterias. As an incentive, one

randomly selected SNA Member will win a

trip for two to LAC 2016! To enter the As-

sociation’s Cafeteria Site Visit Sweepstakes,

simply invite your federal lawmakers to

your school and provide proof of the visit

or invitation (email, photos, video, news

stories, etc.) to SNA by December 31,

2015. We will accept all invitations dated

back to July 1, 2015. For more information,

please contact SNA Government Affairs

and Media Relations at (800) 877-8822.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)SNA CEUs are aligned with USDA Profes-

sional Standards’ required annual training.

Attendees will earn CEUs for training

sessions at LAC that count toward SNA’s

Certificate Program, the SNS Credential

renewal and USDA Professional Standards.

An electronic training tracking grid will

be available to help attendees track their

training.

Confirmations and Onsite RegistrationAll individuals registering for LAC 2016

before February 15, 2016, will receive con-

firmation via email or mail upon processing.

Plan to pick up your final program, badge

and other materials at the SNA Registration

Desk in the hotel. Onsite registrations also

will be accepted at the prevailing rates.

AttireBusiness attire is appropriate for LAC. You

should bring appropriate professional attire

and dressy, yet comfortable, shoes for your

day on Capitol Hill. Business attire is also

recommended for Monday’s SNF Celebra-

tion of School Nutrition Heroes. Washington

weather at this time of year can be unpre-

dictable, so be sure to pack for possible

chilly or rainy conditions. For current weath-

er forecasts, check www.washington.org.

Planning Your Evening and Local VisitsWhen planning your visit to the nation’s cap-

ital, it’s always best to plan ahead. Call the

Marriott Marquis Concierge Desk at (202)

824-9200 for information on Washington,

D.C.’s attractions. Interactive maps of the

city can be found at www.washington.org.

generalinformation

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Hotel InformationSNA’s 44th Legislative Action Conference

will be held at the newest and largest hotel

in the nation’s capital—the Marriott Mar-

quis! With 1,175 rooms and over 105,000

square feet of function space, this impres-

sive four-star hotel is conveniently located

near area attractions and Capitol Hill.

Marriott Marquis—Washington, D.C.

901 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20001

Reservations: (800) 229-9290

Main Number: (202) 824-9200 (Do NOT call

this number for reservations.)

Check in: 3:00 pm; Check out: 12:00 pm

SNA Discounted Room Rates:

$285 Single/Double; $305 Triple; $325

Quad

Don’t delay! Rooms are issued on a first-

come, first-served basis. SNA’s discounted

room block will be released February 5,

2016, but may be sold out prior to that

date. Room rates do not include a 14.5%

city tax per room, per night. To take ad-

vantage of the conference rate, visit www.

schoolnutrition.org/LAC. To make your res-

ervation by phone, call (800) 266-9432 and

inform the agent that you are with the 44th

Legislative Action Conference so that you

may obtain the special conference rates.

Travel InformationAir Transportation

To reserve your airline tickets, you

may use ATC Travel Management by

calling (800) 458-9383 or online by visiting

www.atcmeetings.com/sna. The closest air-

port is Ronald Reagan Washington National

Airport (DCA).

Ground Transportation

The Marriott Marquis is located 15 minutes

from Ronald Reagan Washington National

Airport (DCA) and approximately 2 miles

from Union Station.

· To reserve SuperShuttle, call (800) 258-

3826 or visit www.supershuttle.com.

When booking by phone or online, use

group code 16LAC for $2 off one-

way or $5 off round-trip fares. Fares

are approximately $12 one-way from

Ronald Reagan Washington Nation-

al Airport (DCA); $27 one-way from

Dulles International Airport (IAD); and

$27 one-way from Baltimore Washing-

ton International Airport (BWI). You

must make reservations in advance to

receive the group discount.

· Taxis are available at a rate of $15 one-

way from DCA and $50 to $60 one-way

from IAD and BWI Airports.

• If you are taking the Metro Subway

System from DCA, use the YELLOW

line toward Fort Totten and get off at

Gallery Place–Chinatown Station. The

Marriott Marquis is a half mile walk

from Gallery Place. The round-trip

Metro fare is approximately $6.

Hotel & travelInformation

SNA is committed to making all meeting activities, including food and beverage, accessible to all attendees. Please email your needs, including special dietary requirements, to meetings@schoolnutrition.org. Photographs will be taken of sessions and events at this conference for future use by SNA.

SNF Celebration of School Nutrition Heroes, Monday, February 29, 2016 Separate ticket required for this event. Please visit www.schoolnutrition.org/SNF/SpecialEvents to purchase tickets.

44th LEGISLATIVE ACTION CONFERENCEWashington, D.C. J FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1, 2016

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: January 22, 2016

(Please print clearly) Is this your first LAC? YES NO

Are you a new director? (3 years or less) YES NO Update my contact information

Membership No. Preferred Name on Badge

Name Title (and/or Designation)

Company/School District/Organization (No acronyms, please.)

Mailing Address – q Business OR q Home (Please check one.)

City State Zip

Business Phone Ext. Onsite Contact # (cell phone)

Fax Number Email Address

Please check here to opt out your email address from our published attendee roster.

(*NOTE: Fill out a separate registration form for EACH attendee. See below for fees.)

Registration Information and Fees: EARLY BIRD—EB (rec’d on or before 01/22/16); REGULAR—RR (rec’d on or before 02/15/16); ONSITE—OS (rec’d after 02/15/16). Check desired rate.

EB RR OS

FS member/retired member $475 $525 $555

FS nonnmember $525 $575 $605

Industry member $540 $590 $650

Industry nonmember $640 $690 $750

Patron (1st registrant) N/A N/A N/A

State & Federal government $475 $525 $555

Family/Spouse* $415 $465 $465

College Student** $90 $140 $190

*Family/Spouse qualification applies to those individuals who are not in the industry.

**Photocopy of College ID must accompany Registration Form

Ways To Register:

1. WEB: Register online at www.schoolnutrition.org.

2. FAX: Credit cards and purchase orders only. Download registration form and fax completed registration form with credit card information to: SNA, Attention: LAC Registration at (301) 686-3115. SNA accepts VISA, MasterCard, AmEx and Discover.

3. MAIL: Send registration form & payment to: SNA, Accounting Dept., P.O. Box 759297, Baltimore, MD 21275-9297. Be sure to include the individual’s name on the check stub or purchase order for proper payment credit.

CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations will be assessed a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations must be made in writing and received by Feb. 15, 2016. NO REFUNDS will be made after Feb. 15, 2016 or for NO SHOWS.

Pre-Con Session: Congress: Politics, Procedures and Power, Sat., 2/27, (1:00-4:00 pm) $100

Registration Payment: 1. CHECK enclosed: payable to SNA (ck#__________). 2. PURCHASE ORDER enclosed: (PO#___________).

3. SELECT CREDIT CARD*: VISA MasterCard AMEX DISCOVER

Billing Address/City/State/Zip (Enter the address as it appears on the billing statement)

Credit Card Number Expiration Date

Signature Print Name As It Appears On Card

Date TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $ ––––––––––

*Credit card orders cannot be processed without complete information. If registering by mail, please allow three weeks for processing. Confirmation of registration will be sent via email immediately upon processing.

For the most up-to-date LAC2016 information, visit: www.schoolnutrition.org/lac

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