October 11, 2012   WASRG Summit, Washington, D.C.

November 17-20, 2012   SGAC Leaders’ Policy Conference, Santa Monica, California

November 28-30, 2012   ALEC States and Nation Policy Summit, Washington, D.C.

We would like to take this opportunity offer our best wishes to the graduates of the inaugural class of SGAC’s State Government Affairs Professional Certificate Program.

State and Federal Communications had two people in the program. President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz and Client Specialist Myra Cottrill received their certificates at the SGAC Annual Business Meeting and Lunch on August 8.

According to SGAC, “The SGAC Professional Certificate Program requires the participants, of which there are more than 100 including the recent 25 honorees, to complete a minimum of 12 courses focusing on:  Ethics/Ethical Leadership; Complying with State Lobbying Laws; Building and Managing Coalitions; Legislative Trends; Lobbying and the Legislative Process; Media and Communications Training; Understanding National State Government Organizations and others.”

Myra Cottrill said, “It is an honor to join 24 colleagues from across the country that completed the program’s rigorous requirements during the past three years.”

We send our congratulations to Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, and Client Specialist Myra Cottrill, who recently completed the State Government Affairs Professional Certificate Program!

A formal graduation ceremony for those who have completed the certificate program will take place on August 8, 2012 at the SGAC luncheon in Chicago during NCSL’s Legislative Summit.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is attending the State Government Affairs Council’s (SGAC) Annual Meeting. Bartz is the president of the Board of Directors of SGAC, the national association for multi-state government affairs professionals.

The event runs from March 21-23 and is being held in Boston, Massachusetts.

You can follow the Twitter conversations from the conference with the hashtag #SGACAnnualMtg12.

My #1 conference of choice is State Government Affairs Council Leaders Policy Conference. I first attended this in 2001 at the Wigwam in Scottsdale and I was hooked. I first met CSG’s Executive Director, David Adkins there and Stan Tretiak, then with Coors, was the conference chairperson and had the CEO of Coors address the group.

You could say I loved it so much, I not only joined the association; I ran for the board, and am now the president!

This year, David Christman, from the National Beer Wholesalers Association, is the conference chairperson. The program is outstanding. Speakers include:

1. Craig Karges—Nationally recognized speaker and author;
2. Margaret Anderson Kelliher—President and CEO of Minnesota High Tech Association;
3. Kevin McCarty—Florida Insurance Commissioner;
4. William Symonds—Director, Pathways to Prosperity Project,
   Harvard Graduate School;
5. Michael Sargeant—Executive Director of the DLCC;
6. Matt Walter—Political Director of RSLC;
7. Dana Perino—Political Commentator, and Former White House Press Secretary; and
8. Cincinnati’s own Johnny Bench—Baseball Legend.

In addition to this great cast of speakers are the exceptional legislators in the audience. SGAC invites the top six (6) legislators from every state. This gives everyone the opportunity to speak with state leaders and develop the important working relationships you will need in 2012. I don’t know where to start, but some of them include:

1. Kansas Senate President Stephen Morris;
2. Maryland Senate President Mike Miller;
3. Georgia Senator Don Balfour;
4. Ohio Representative Ted Celeste;
5. Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus; and
6. Massachusetts Senator Richard Moore.

There is still space available for you at SGAC’s LPC. You can obtain all the needed information at www.sgac.org.

Until next month, take the time to hone your skills, sharpen the saw, and awaken the giant within—okay, too much Covey and Robbins! The point is to stay on top of your game and be the best for your organization.

November 9, 2011 WASRG Summit, Washington, D.C.

November 16, 2011 American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

November 19-22, 2011 SGAC Foundation Leaders’ Policy Conference, Miami, Florida

November 29-December 2, 2011 NCSL 2011 Fall Forum, Tampa, Florida

December 4-7, 2011 Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, Nashville, Tennessee

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is attending the State Government Affairs Council’s Board Meeting.

She was elected president of SGAC in August.

The meeting is being held from September 21-22.

Elizabeth Bartz was elected president of the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) at the annual Member Business Meeting and Luncheon held in San Antonio.

She succeeds departing president Joseph Crosby for the 2011-2012 term.

In addition to our congratulations, we would like to share a video of Elizabeth’s speech at the event, which was held during National Conference of State Legislature’s 2011 Legislative Summit in San Antonio Texas:

Today at the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) annual Member Business Meeting and Luncheon held in San Antonio, Elizabeth Bartz was elected the organization’s president for 2011-2012.

Departing President Joseph Crosby was presented the Steuben Eagle by Elizabeth Bartz in recognition for his leadership and his past year of service.

We are happy to announce Elizabeth Bartz has been nominated president of the State Government Affairs Council.

The official election will be on August 10, during SGAC’s member business lunch at the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit 2011. It is a one-year term.

In addition to owning and operating State and Federal Communications, Elizabeth participates in many professional organizations including:

State Government Affairs Council, Public Affairs Council, Council on Government Ethics Laws, Washington Area State Relations Group, Diversity Business, Innovate to Motivate, American League of Lobbyists, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, US Chamber of Commerce, Society of Professional Journalists, and many local organizations.

Congratulations to you, Elizabeth!