State and Federal Communications is always a supporter of our Northeast Ohio treasure, WKSU.

This year we are proud to be a sponsor of WKSU’s coverage of Election 2014!

With each election, the company’s President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz encourages greater voter-turnout: “Exercise your right to vote! It is your personal opportunity to be heard!”

The WKSU Election 2014 page aptly says: “Even though 2014 is not a Presidential Election year, there are many important races throughout Northeast Ohio and across the state. The WKSU newsroom will offer in-depth coverage of the races and issues that affect the region.”

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is offering her expertise today in Washington, D.C. at the Association of Government Relations Professionals Lobbying Certificate Program session on State Lobbying. Congratulations, Elizabeth!

One of the attendees gives this reaction on Twitter:

If you would like to know more about today’s training, here is a decription from the AGRP website:

The states are a breeding ground for new legislation and regulations that will affect your stakeholders and can potentially lead to federal action. Influencing legislators and policy makers at the state level can be a critical component to your overall lobbying efforts. In this upcoming AGRP LCP course, you will learn:

• How to successfully identify whether or not you need to engage at the state level
• Best practices in finding and working with state lobbyists
• How to evaluate your state lobbying efforts
• Making sure that your efforts are compliant with state rules and regulations

The October Akron Roundtable luncheon featured Kent State University President Dr. Beverly Warren. Dr. Warren adjusted her scheduled presentation “Reflections from a New Northeast Ohioan” to address the dramatic events of the past 24 hours revolving around the Ebola crisis. She discussed the university’s crucial role in providing health professionals who are on the front lines meeting the health needs of the community and offered her vision for the future of Kent State University.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is Vice President of the Kent State University Alumni Board of Directors and enjoyed a visit with Dr. Warren at Akron Roundtable.

Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it’s you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don’t you take it
You’re gonna make it after all
You’re gonna make it after all

I am definitely going to date myself with this column, but it must be written. I totally forgot all about Mary Tyler Moore until someone posted the Minneapolis statue on Facebook during the National Conference of State Legislatures. It had me thinking and remembering the influence Mary Richards had on me becoming a professional business woman.

Think of it…what did we have before Mary Richards? Not many. Mary had her own apartment, job, budget, and friends. And, she had the great “a” and “z” bookends, which I attempted to create in ceramics class. [Yes, I still have them.]

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, was honored recently by the Akron Urban League as one of seven awardees named Women of Power for 2014.

According to the organization’s website, “Women of Power Awards are granted to women who have made a difference in the organizations where they work and also to the community at-large.”

The Akron Urban League is a non-profit working very hard to “improve the economic, cultural, social, educational, and recreational conditions affecting all citizens of Summit County, particularly African Americans, other minorities, and those most in need.”

A luncheon will be held at the Akron Urban League on November 6, 2014.

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

I figured it is time to list the states I still need to visit. In this government relations industry, we have the opportunity to go to many states. And, with two meetings in Anchorage, many of our colleagues have seen them all from Alabama to Wyoming.

I started a list a year ago when Sen. Bruce Starr from Oregon was elected president of NCSL and had scheduled an executive committee meeting. But, alas, I was unable to attend, so it remains on the list.

Here is a list of the states. 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 or a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I personally have season tickets to the home games of both the University of Akron and Kent State University…Now, those are hot teams!

Back to the subject. I am now down to the final seven (7) and know in 2015 one will be knocked off the list because of CSG’s Midwest Legislative Conference.

1. Alabama — Lost a chance in 2013 when Kent State University was in the football playoffs but could not get back in time for business meetings.
2. Hawaii — Big surprise this is still on my list.
3. Montana — Does this state still not have a speed limit? That’s what David Letterman says.
4. North Dakota — Ding, ding, ding…Off the list in 2015.
5. Oregon — Hmm. Maybe a trip to Nike is in order.
6. South Dakota — Could I knock off this state after MLC next year?
7. Wyoming — I guess we have to go to Jackson Hole.

It is possible. It is not a race…just a goal to finish.

Until next month, put your list together of states still left to see.

Thank you,

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

 Here are a pair of photos from the International BIO International Convention in San Diego, California.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is speaking today at the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials & Treasurers (IACREOT) Annual Conference in Bonita Springs, Florida. The event runs from July 19-24, 2014.

Bartz is presenting “Ethics in Elections: Challenges and Applications from a Compliance Perspective” at 3:00 p.m.

You can follow the Twitter conversations from the conference at #IACREOT.

On the third Thursday of each month, State and Federal Communications attends the Akron Roundtable luncheons. However, July 17th was a special day for us. The luncheon featured keynote speaker Diane Laney Fitzpatrick, author of the book Home Sweet Homes: How Bundt Cakes, Bubble Wrap, and My Accent Helped Me Survive Nine Moves.
 Our President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz, a dear friend and fellow Kent State alum of Fitzpatrick, introduced the Ohio native at the Roundtable to talk about how “The Journey of a Thousand Miles… is for Amateurs” and just how she has redefined the meaning of “stay-at-home-mom.” The entire audience was often thrown into spells of laughter as Fitzpatrick comically recalled the eight lessons she learned through her 7,000 mile journey across the states.

Immediately following the program, State and Federal Communications hosted a reception for the speaker, held on the second floor of our building. A large portion of the crowd from the Roundtable luncheon attended the gathering and enjoyed the refreshments as well as a second opportunity to talk with Fitzpatrick. Towards the end of the reception, Elizabeth presented the speaker a Greater Akron book with a spread featuring State and Federal Communications. It was the perfect gift for Fitzpatrick to keep Akron in the back of her mind just in case she ever wants to return!

It is summer and you know what that means in state government affairs. Meetings. Meetings. Meetings.

Okay, I know many of you will not be at the first one but I will see you at many of the other places across the continental United States.

1.  Greek Orthodox Clergy-Laity Congress—July 6-10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;

2.  National Governors Association—July 10-July 13 in Nashville, Tennessee;

3.  Council of State Governments MLC—July 13-July 16 in Omaha, Nebraska;

4.  IACREOT Conference—July 23-24 in Bonita Springs, Florida;

5.  NCSL Legislative Leaders—July 24-25 in Washington, DC;

6.  Council of State Governments National and Western Annual Conference—
August 9-13 in Anchorage, Alaska; and

7.  National Conference of State Legislatures—August 18-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Now that is a lot of traveling for anyone to handle. I skipped a couple of the other regional CSG meetings because…well, I do need to stop at the office and home every once in a while.

Follow the travel either on Facebook or Twitter @elizabethbartz. You may enjoy the photos and the opportunities or it just might tire you out. Either way, it will not be boring.

Looking forward to sharing with you my reflection of owning State and Federal Communications for 21 years in next month’s issue. Stay tuned.

State and Federal Communications is proud to be a sponsor and associate for The Council of State Governments Midwest Legislative Conference in Omaha, Nebraska!

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is attending the conference, which runs from July 13-16.

The CSG website offers the following explanation of the event: “The Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting is a family-friendly, regionally focused event designed to meet the needs and interests of state legislators from our 11-state region. Held in a different Midwestern city every year, the four-day event features policy sessions on issues of critical importance to this region and its legislators.”