2024 Portland & Seattle Washington, D.C. Fly-In welcomed 140+ participants

The Portland Metro Chamber and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce once again joined forces for the joint advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. presented by Comcast, from April 28 to May 1. With more than 140 business leaders from Portland, Seattle, and across the Pacific Northwest, the trip facilitated direct engagement with elected officials and administration staff.

The trip kicked off with an evening welcome reception setting the stage for networking and preparation for the days ahead.

Andrew Hoan, Portland Metro Chamber president and CEO and Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber welcome attendees at the opening reception.

The next day offered key insights from members of the Biden administration from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, focusing on critical topics such as multimodal freight infrastructure and housing policies. Tracy Hadden Loh, from the Brookings Institution, led a thought-provoking session on the future of downtowns. During lunch, attendees heard from Ron Eidshaug of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who shared insights on the 2024 elections and potential legislative implications. The afternoon sessions featured representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Office of Management and Budget, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, among others. The day concluded with a session by the Federal Rail Administration, paving the way for further dialogue and action.

Congressman Derek Kilmer.

Sessions at the U.S. Capitol covered a broad spectrum of topics, including transportation, infrastructure, affordability, legislative agendas, and downtown revitalization. Lunch featured a keynote address by Congressman Derek Kilmer, emphasizing the need for Congress to better serve the people. Afternoon sessions focused on energy, commerce, and discussions with U.S. Senators from the Pacific Northwest, culminating in the final reception of the trip. The last day began with a special session with retiring Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Joan Mooney from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The day concluded with a debrief discussion on next steps for Portland and Seattle’s shared federal priorities.

Rachel Smith, CEO & President of Seattle Chamber, King County Executive, Down Constantine, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and President & CEO of Portland Metro Chamber at the Capitol Hill reception sponsored by Amazon.

Session at the U.S. Capitol.

This annual advocacy trip serves as a catalyst for collaboration and action, helping shape the future for both of our cities and the Pacific Northwest.

Thank you to all the elected officials and administration representatives who generously agreed to meet with us and shared their time with our delegation.

View Shared Federal Policy Agenda

Thank you to our D.C. Fly-In Sponsors

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