You can consider this Silver Anniversary—Part One. On July 1st, State and Federal Communications, Inc. will celebrate its 25th anniversary. WOW! That is a long, long time and I have been here every minute of it.

We are going to take the opportunity to celebrate this event in Akron, Ohio and in Washington, DC and I hope you can all join us.

Feel free to respond to this email and I will make sure you receive an invitation. We are looking forward to opening our doors to all of our clients and friends around the country.

Thank you…Thank you for always relying on our quality services and knowing we are here to make sure government affairs world a lot easier.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

You have probably read our blogs, columns, press releases, and digital media posts about our new publication, European Compliance Laws. As they say, it has opened up the world to the staff and to our clients.

We have only tiptoed into Europe and include compliance resources for Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and the European Union. We are adding more countries in 2018 and the cost for this year is nominal—only $1,000* more for all of these additional references.

I have also started a discussion with Interel Global Public Affairs and have been invited to speak about compliance at its 5th annual summit, Advancing Interests in a New Era, in Brussels, Belgium.

Recently I sat with Fredrik Lofthagen, Interel’s CEO, and his goal for this year’s program is to look to the future and provide thought-provoking topics on how innovation and technology is bringing in a new era of public affairs and the relationship between people, ideas, and organizations.

Many of you remember Jason Jarrell when he was at the Public Affairs Council. He has been instrumental in connecting me with Fredrik and I am very appreciative of these efforts.

Now, please understand, when I am at a table with Fredrik Lofthagen; Florence Maisel, managing partner in France; Grégoire Poisson, managing partner from the EU, and Jason Jarrell, managing partner of the global practice…well, all I can say is I felt a lot like Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack.

In all honesty, learning all about European countries has been eye opening and we look forward to working with the global practice departments of our clients.

Before next month’s issue, I will have also gone on my first cruise on the Mediterranean with my husband, John Chames, as we celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. It is the first time we will be on a two-week vacation together…Truly concerned one of us will go overboard!

Last month I went into detail on what was done in 2017 for our website. Today I am going to list out what we are doing in 2018 to make our website even more valuable.

My conversation a couple of months ago with Research Manager Michael Beckett continued with what he said would be added to our site. Our #1 goal is to continue support to our clients when there are questions and special projects.

1. Our work with our European Compliance is growing. Scotland will be completed and on our site in April. Other countries for 2018 include France, Germany, Austria, and Greece. We are giving our clients a great introductory offer to add European Compliance to the guides you are currently receiving.

2. We like to produce Tip Sheets—one pagers that help you answer quick questions. This year we will publish three of them:

• Social media lobbying (we weren’t talking about that 25 years ago);

• Gift splitting and reimbursement; and

• Restrictions on lobbyist contributions.

3. In addition, we are going to clarify the following in all our jurisdictions:

• Placement agents in our Procurement Lobbying Publication;

• Grass tops lobbying in our Lobbying Laws Publication;

• Procurement lobbying (contracts) vs. executive branch lobbying (rules and regulations) in our Procurement Lobbying Publication;

• Timing of contributions for purposes of aggregation in our Political Contributions Publication; Q&A regarding state contribution limits applicability to local candidates in our Political Contributions Publication;

• PAC contribution match by corporate employer rules in our Political Contributions Publication.

You will also see our familiar Executive’s Checklists in our Municipal Lobbying entries and we are always ready to add more municipalities.

Our team works all year long to make sure the State and Federal Communications website is always up-to-date on the work you need. This isn’t a side business for the company… it is the foundation of our overall business.

If you have any questions about our website, please do not hesitate to give me a call. It has been part of my DNA for a long, long time.

SXSW has been an event I have wanted to attend but I didn’t understand it…And, after being here five days, I don’t know if I understand it because it is huge.

Yes, there is music. There are films. But these are not just walk in opportunities. You need to have the right badge or wristband to attend.

I signed up with the City of Akron as a partner, which meant I had a table in the exhibit booth with the City…And, that is all I could do. I did speak with Libby Wuller and Joshua Hone from Quorum Analytics who gave me advice about signing up for events; but having only 48 hours between the PAC conference and SXSW, I had enough time to pack black slacks. I do thank them for the advice and will put it to better use next year. Also, a special thanks to Apple’s Steve Kester, who sent me a full list of night events. Yeah, after eight hours in the exhibit hall, there was little appetite for night events.

The exhibit booth is huge, and SXSW provides a lot of time for people to walk through. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday the booths are open from 10 am to 6 pm and on Wednesday it is open from 10 am to 2 pm. And, similar to NCSL, if you close up early, you are fined.

I did miss Melinda Gates, Elon Musk, the cast of This is Us and Roseanne because I only had the trade show badge. I could buy another one, which I will do for 2019. The big badge is the Platinum badge, which you can buy now for 2019 for $1,100, which is about $700 more than the regular price and you get in everything.

Everything? Impossible to staff the booth, attend events, see movies, get in line to hear Elon Musk, stay hydrated, eat, and do it for five days, at a minimum. The Interactive badge does allow you to attend sessions and the trade show, but not the films and concerts…you just don’t get a deal on that badge price.

So, if you are interested in SXSW, spend the rest of the year reading from the website about the programs and opportunities. If you have something technologically innovative, you should exhibit it.

Two pieces of advice:

1. It is a no tie zone. You won’t look more professional in your professional business attire. You will look out of place. Lots of jeans, boots, and leggings here.
2. Rest before flying into Austin…There is very little time to do so here.

I am available to answer questions if you have any about SXSW. I am hoping the City of Akron does this again because I did learn a lot and want to see more of the programs.

And, of course, it is the hippest place to be and I want to be hip!!

Check out some more of my photos from SXSW:
 

When we ended our three-ring, three volume publication—about 10 years ago—we had paper everywhere and Kinko’s was our best friend. Trust me, the Kinko’s in Fairlawn, Ohio had to have been the highest ranked store in the country with the amount of work we sent to the 24/7 shop.

Now, everything is on our website, www.stateandfed.com, and though we have far less paper and FedEx (formerly Kinko’s) is still in business but not really printing our updates; we have info…a lot of it.

I met with Research Manager Michael Beckett—as I do every year—to review what we included on our website and what is planned for the next year. Here is a brief list of items included to improve your ability to search for information:

1. Added question regarding gifts from lobbyist employers in both our Executive Source Guide on Lobbying and Procurement Lobbying;
2. Clarified whether federal PACs can contribute to state and local candidates in our Executive Source Guide on Political Contributions;
3. You will see additional information regarding a corporate PAC using payroll deductions to collect contributions;
4. We are now capturing social media regulations in the Grassroots section of both our Executive Source Guide on Lobbying and Procurement Lobbying; and
5. You will see we make sure we have indicated when the date the page was last modified.

And, there is more. The Research Department also:

1. Prepared the 2018 Guidebook so you were able to have it at the beginning of the year;
2. Prepared our Tip Sheet Ethics Implications for Expenditures at National Conferences and a second Tip Sheet on Grassroots Lobbying;
3. Published 549 blog posts on lobbycomply.com;
4. Transitioned to a new web-based database;
5. Prepared a guide on Inauguration activities in the states after the November 2017 elections;
6. Added the following new municipalities to the website: Bronx County, New York; Will County, Illinois; Laredo, Texas; Columbia Missouri; Dorchester County, Maryland; Irvine, California; and Coral Gables, Florida; and
7. Created from a blank piece of paper, the inaugural countries to European Compliance—Republic of Ireland; European Union; and United Kingdom.

What will they do in 2018?   Stay tuned for the April edition of Compliance Now.

In the meantime, let us know if you need assistance driving around our website. We would be happy to give you a tour.

Welcome to our 25th year of providing the lobbying and political contributions compliance answers you need. It has been a lot of fun and we thank our valued clients throughout the years. In our Silver Anniversary year, we have (at least) 25 reasons for you to work with State and Federal Communications.

1. Our ALERTS consulting program for additional assistance
2. Our I COMPLY online publications, the foundation of the company
3. Continuing Innovations to help with your work
4. 24/7 website access
5. Very knowledgeable, caring staff
6. Attendance at major events
7. Sponsorship of many events
8. Thoughtful citizen in the community
9. Commitment to helping college interns
10. Webinars
11. White Papers
12. Tip Sheets
13. Compliance NOW®
14. News You Can Use
15. Guidebooks
16. LobbyComply®
17. Social Media news and updates
18. Working with our subscriber directly to answer questions
19. Working with national law firms and government affairs firms
20. 100% time spent on our core subject matters
21. Focus on corporate social responsibility on local, regional, and national levels
22. 25-year member of the Public Affairs Council—first dues paid in first year
23. 18-year member of the State Government Affairs Council—best decision ever
24. 19-year member of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL)
25. Same owner for 25 years…still pounding the drum as the corporate crusader for compliance

We look forward to working with you in 2018 and beyond.

Thank You and Happy New Year.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, has long been a leader in corporate social responsibility and strategic philanthropy, as well as a fierce defender of her community. Spirit of Philanthropy has recognized Bartz by naming her as one of their “Game Changers” of 2017-2018.

The organization’s motto is: Elevate. Encourage. Engage. That sounds like Elizabeth Bartz to us!

Here is the article that appeared in their publication:

Success That Means Giving Back 

by Connie Swenson

When Elizabeth Bartz was hired in 1983 at State and Federal Associates in Washington, D.C. (founded in 1976), she had no idea that she would eventually own her own business.

“In 1993, I bought out my department, State and Federal Communications, from State and Federal Associates, and moved it to Akron,” she says. She relocated the government compliance division back to her hometown and now employs 40, including 12 attorneys, and says she has other positions open she would like to fill.

“We are a company that is unique and valued in our field,” Bartz says. “We are experts in lobbying compliance laws, political contribution compliance laws, and procurement lobbying compliance laws. We are a company with a strong commitment to helping our clients comply with these state and federal laws and regulations.”

Under Bartz’ leadership, the company offers quick access to online, up-to-date information provided on its website each day. She has over 100 clients, which now include GM, Honda, Walmart, Target and Lyft.

But that is not the only aspect of Bartz’ career and life that is unique. Philanthropy has been very important to her. “I grew up Christian. I learned the importance of helping others,” she says. “Outside of your job, what are you doing to make this a better place?”

Today, she is involved with many local charities and passes on the philosophy of helping others her employees. “Every year, all employees participate in the United Way Day of Action. We’ve been involved for ten years; we all get together and do it together,” she says.

“We participate with a lot of nonprofits in Akron and Northeast Ohio including the Akron Urban League, Project GRAD Akron and Akron Children’s Hospital.”

And Bartz wears Kent State University blue and gold proudly. A passionate alum of both the Trumbull and Kent campuses, she has provided funding for student scholarships—one to graduates of Howland High School, her alma mater, the other to promising incoming freshmen in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She also sits on WKSU’s community board and underwrites news programming focusing on election reporting. In October 2017, Bartz received the Kent State Advocacy Award.

“Philanthropy makes the community a better place to live,” she says. “I think it’s important to help people less fortunate. I’ve been blessed. I don’t feel the need to spend any more money on myself.”

It is not too early to start planning…Not for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve. I am talking about 2018 legislative sessions, primary elections, and the November 6th general election.

The Research Department at State and Federal Communications has been busy, busy, busy updating our website with the important dates you need for 2018.

• When will the states go into session? √
• When are lobbying reports due? √
• Will there be blackout periods in 2018? √
• When will the primaries be held in the states? √
• When are pre- and post-election reports due? √
• Does every state have a general election in 2018? √

You just cannot go wrong when connected with the State and Federal Communications Community to know when your reports are due; elections are held; and when legislatures convene, adjourn, recess, and go into special session.

Access is easy for our subscribers. Sign onto StateandFed.com and input your login and password. The world is then at your fingers. If you need assistance with your access information, please call Megan Huber-Kovachik or Tony Didion at 330-761-9960 and they will provide the information.

You might not be able to tell by my desk, but my calendar is organized. Staying on top of these important compliance dates will help you manage your time in 2018.

This year is almost ending, which is hard to believe. Rest assured, State and Federal Communications is at your side for 2018.

Time for your weekly recap of the government and ethics news you can use in this week’s video digest!

State and Federal Communications, Inc. President and CEO, Elizabeth Z. Bartz, was honored Friday, October 13, with the Kent State University Advocacy Award during the university’s fourth annual alumni awards. Elizabeth remains actively involved in Kent State University, especially with incoming freshman.

“I have always felt it was important to pay back Kent State by being actively involved in the alumni program, creating a scholarship and supporting the university and its students,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth works to give back to Kent State and the university’s students through the Elizabeth Z. Bartz Scholarship for seniors at Howland High School planning to attend Kent State university; and the Promising Scholar Program, a scholarship opportunity for incoming freshmen in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Read more about the ceremony from the university’s news paper, The Kent Stater; and learn more about Elizabeth and the Advocacy award from the Kent State Alumni Association!

Writing a monthly column doesn’t come easy for me…I want to find something to pique your interest but not make you fall asleep reading. I was kind of stuck waiting until the 11th hour to write the column when I thought I would see what I wrote in previous Septembers. (So now you will all know I am a technological pack rat and save everything I have written.)

In 2014—three years ago I still have seven (7) states to visit in this country. Now, I know those of you who follow me on Facebook cannot believe I have not been to all 50 states.  I had not completed it by 2014 and I am sorry to say I still have not reached the goal.

I really thought I could knock off South Dakota with Sen. Deb Peters at the NCSL Executive Committee meeting in October but it conflicts with a few other events that week and I cannot get there.  There is still a chance I can knock this off by taking a US vacation to see Mount Rushmore.

Back to the subject. I am now down to the Final Four!!!

• Alabama
• Montana
• South Dakota
• Wyoming

What are your outstanding ones? And, if any of you have Ohio on that list, you need to call me to attend any of a number sporting events—Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland CAVS, Akron Rubber Ducks, or a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I also have season tickets to the home games to Kent State University Golden Flashes. #flashesforever

I have a new goal and there is a new year coming up…Let’s do it!

Until next month, put your list together of states still left to see and hit the road.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

If you follow me on Facebook you know moss does not grow under my feet. I travel wherever there are meetings where our fabulous clients are together. I knew a long time ago business was not going to stop in at our office on S. Summit Street in Akron, Ohio.

So, we are heading to the NCSL Legislative Summit in Boston for our 18th year. State and Federal Communications is well represented at the Summit and will be in Booth 730 in the exhibit hall. It is a very busy week in Boston, starting with the NCSL Executive Committee meeting Saturday afternoon.

When State and Federal Communications is involved, we are not the wallflowers in the room.

We are a sponsor to the State Government Affairs Council Late Night at House of Blues, and we have a few tickets left if you need one.

We are also sponsoring the coffee break in the exhibit hall on Tuesday, August 8, which is a help to the legislators who are trying to find a cup of coffee during the long day of sessions. And, in case you saw our Facebook ad about a cup of coffee, I can assure you this is 100% compliant.

We love seeing you out on the road. Do not hesitate to stop by and say hello. We will “State and Federalize” your badge.

Peter Drucker once said, “Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.”

I am hardly the person who pats myself on the back about the good things happening at State and Federal Communications—I know it takes a village to make it all happen.

What I do remember is signing a document on July 1, 1993, with my former employer at State and Federal Associates to take on the operation and finances of what is now State and Federal Communications. I do recall I had an upset stomach all day…and will leave it at that because I had never entered into any business agreement prior to that day.

The time has flown…Honestly, when you do something you love to do it really is not work. We have grown and continue to grow. We are anticipating bringing on our 50th employee in the near future and acclimating the staff to FMLA.

What will we continue to do for you?

We will add more and more municipalities to our site because many of you are working with these localities to offer your services. I just returned from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and saw many of you who want to have a great relationship with the mayors.

I never saw the Grateful Dead, but I just read “Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn from the Most Iconic Band in History” by David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan. The Grateful Dead did not listen to large music producers…The band listened to its fans. We always listen to our clients. If you have a question or a suggestion, please contact us because we would not be here if we did not have great clients.

Go International. We completed a review of lobbying and political contributions in Ireland and will soon include it on our site for you to peruse. We have heard many of you are traveling to Europe and Asia and we want to be your source for how to handle international compliance issues.

Thank you for your loyalty. We appreciate and are proud of all of our clients who always want to do the next right thing in compliance.

It is summer time and we are going to attend many conferences this summer and look forward to seeing you along the way.

At the 17^th Annual OMNIKAL National Business Summit at The Harvard Club in New York City on May 18, 2017, State and Federal Communications, Inc., and its President and CEO, Elizabeth Z. Bartz, were honored with a key diversity award as a Top 100 Women-Owned Business in Ohio, and are the only business in Akron, Ohio named to the list.

Each year OMNIKAL (formerly DiversityBusiness.com) collects and compiles data that results in the “Top Businesses Lists” on a state and national level. More than 2 million businesses in the United States have the opportunity to participate in the annual OMNIKAL business survey. OMNIKAL selects winning companies after reviewing each entrant’s business profile, website, and gross annual sales.

State and Federal Communications has won an “America’s Top Business” award every year since 2008.

According to OMNIKAL CEO and Founder Kenton Clarke, “These top privately-held companies are all distinguished by their progressive cultures and dynamic strategies.”

Mr. Clarke explains that OMNIKAL’s “Top American Businesses Lists” offer the most comprehensive look at the strongest and largest segment of the United States economy – America’s privately held companies. These middle market companies are recognized and respected, having truly differentiated themselves in our ever-evolving inclusive marketplace.

Ms. Bartz adds, “Being ranked highly with other leading companies across America is an achievement we are all proud of at State and Federal Communications. It shows our ongoing commitment to deliver quality government compliance information and consulting services to many companies, associations, and corporate and contract lobbyists. This award is an honor for our employees, clients, and the community where we live and work.”

Pictured are State and Federal Communications President and CEO, Elizabeth Z. Bartz; OMNIKAL CEO and Founder, Kenton Clarke; and Pinnacle Group Chairman and CEO, Nina Vaca

Founded in 1993, State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides government compliance information and consulting to Fortune 500 companies; trade, labor, and professional associations; and corporate and contract lobbyists in all 50 states. The firm’s in-house staff of attorneys is expert in state, federal, and municipal laws regarding lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying. The company distributes accurate, comprehensive, and timely information which its clients rely on to maintain compliance with laws in all 50 states, the federal government, Canada, and almost 300 municipalities. For more information, visit StateandFed.com or Contact Us to learn more.