The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

In that effort, we have recently added abridged jurisdictions to our website. These entries, condensed due to the limited number of relevant local laws, provide the core information our clients need for their government relations work.

The new jurisdiction is: Yuma, Arizona.

Enjoy these fun photos from the 2015 NCSL Legislative Forum in Seattle, Washington!

Many of you are working on your 2016 budgets, and I would suggest a few of the Public Affairs Council conferences be included to help with your government relations work.

If you have some funds left for 2015, attend the State and Local Government Relations conference from September 23-25 at the Hilton Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. This is the absolute best 101 program to learn about state and local government relations. We have used this as a stepping-stone to all first-year staff to learn more about the subject.

The premiere conferences offered by the Council are in 2016—National Grassroots Conference, January 25-28 in Orlando, and the National PAC Conference in Miami from March 7-10. Yes, it is winter, and yes, they are in Florida. However, set that aside and think about the sessions where discussions are held about:

1. Case studies involving grassroots programs;
2. Branding your grassroots program;
3. Educating the members of your grassroots or PAC programs;
4. Ethics, Gift Rules, and Legal Guidance (my favorite session);
5. Engaging Senior Executives;
6. Operating a Successful PAC;
7. Communicating Across Generations;
8. Hosting a Candidate Fundraiser;
9. Auditing and Assessing Your PAC; and
10. Setting a Course for Your Professional Development.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I serve on the PAC Board of Directors (but there are 160 of us, so no one really notices me) and I am on the Advisory Committee for both of the 2016 conferences…But, that should show my commitment to the Council and how much I treasure and value its contributions to the public affairs industry.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. I would be happy to discuss the value and importance.

Until next month, remember professional development is something you should always push for to help you with your career.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

President and CEO

President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz has been featured in the milestone section of Crain’s Cleveland Business – Akron News.

Her dedication and hard work for the past 22 years has established State and Federal Communications, Inc. as the Compliance Standard in government affairs as it relates to state and federal laws and regulations.

You’ll find the feature article here.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications is excited to stand with the Akron community in celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Akron Urban League. The Urban League held its 90th Anniversary Gala event on Friday, August 21, 2015. Our company was proud to be a Gold Sponsor.

Bartz took to the stage to help with the event’s live auction. She serves as a member of the Urban League’s Board of Directors as well as on the 90th Anniversary Gala Committee.

Today’s Akron Roundtable featured Dr. Danielle Sarver Coombs, Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kent State University. In her presentation, “Come to the Party, Leave the Flip-Flopping at Home: Essential Lessons from the 2012 Republican Primaries,” Dr. Coombs  analyzed the 2012 presidential campaigns from the perspective of a communications expert and talked about what lessons 2012 might hold for the 2016 campaigns.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications presented the questions from the audience. You can listen to a recording of the talk on WKSU next Thursday at 8 p.m.

On August 4th, members of State and Federal Communications made their way to the Firestone Country Club to attend Executive Women’s Day. Presented by Astellas Pharma, Inc., the event took place during the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. It brought together women in executive positions from companies and organizations all over Northeast Ohio, including Morgan Stanley, FirstMerit Bank, and the Greater Akron Chamber.

Starting off with a welcome from Vanessa Letera, a Senior Sales Representative from Astellas, Letera urged the audience to remember to make time for themselves and their own health. After the welcome, a panel discussion commenced, moderated by Lee Jordan, an anchor at ABC Cleveland affiliate Newsnet5. The panelists consisted of Patricia DePompei, President of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital; Jo Seymour, Vice President of The Seymour Group at Morgan Stanley; and Sarah Flannery, Partner at Thompson Hine. The topics discussed ranged from career challenges to handling and deciding priorities on the path toward success.

Keynote speaker, Carey Lohrenz, spoke about how she was able to translate lessons she learned as a naval aviator into the workplace. Being in charge of a team of pilots taught Lohrenz about teamwork. “The single most important component to a team’s success is knowing your purpose,” said Lohrenz.

At the conclusion of her presentation, attendees were invited to go on a behind-the-scenes tour or to a networking session.  Participants were also given the opportunity to try out their golf game on the first hole in the course.

Thank you to Astellas and the PGA TOUR for the opportunity to attend this event.

The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

In that effort, we have recently added another abridged jurisdiction to our website. These entries, condensed due to the limited number of relevant local laws, provide the core information our clients need for their government relations work.

The new jurisdiction is: Peoria, Illinois

Enjoy these photos from recent August events.

For the second year, our summer interns have taken advantage of the Akron  Intern Edge program.  Intern Edge, a program offered by Torchbearers and Leadership Akron, serves as a conduit between interns and established community leaders, as well as organizations and groups making a positive difference in our community, to show Akron’s advantages. Each Intern Edge session offered interns access to community decision-makers and lessons for personal and professional success.

[photo left to right:  Elizabeth Scozzaro, David Jones, Sophia Avouris, Costa Janos, Nikos Frazier, and our Human Resources Director, Sharri Roper.]

Sr. Compliance Associate, James Warner, Esq. met with Janelle Snoderly during the Walmart Manufacturing Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas.

As Elizabeth Z. Bartz, State and Federal Communications, Inc., president and CEO, introduced Dr. Beverly Warren, President of Kent State University, she slipped in a selfie with Dr. Warren.

[Photograph by Nikos Frazier, Social Media Intern]

Dr. Beverly Warren enjoyed a photo opportunity with the 2015 State and Federal Communications, Inc. interns,
after presenting the keynote speech at the United Way of Summit County’s 13th Annual Power of the Purse luncheon.

Akron staff participating in the WASRG Luncheon in Washington, DC, where Federal Compliance Associate, Rebecca South, was elected 2015 President of WASRG.  Congratulations, Rebecca.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State & Federal Communications sits down with Team Intern to reflect on their involvement with Intern Edge 2015. Intern Edge, a weekly meeting of Akron area interns, sought to connect interns with local leaders and help them develop as leaders in the community.

Produced by Nikos Frazier

Music by Bensound.com

On June 29, State & Federal Communications’ Team Intern attended an Akron RubberDucks afternoon game at Canal Park.  Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State & Federal Communications, extended the invitation to our parents or family members to accompany us.  It was really exciting to be able to meet the parents of team Intern and learn a little bit more about them.  Most of Team Intern brought at least one parent, and Elizabeth Bartz brought her husband, John Chames, as well as her parents and visiting sister and brother-in-law.

Seated in a suite, the air conditioning was very much appreciated by everyone.  Near the end of the game the team mascot, Webster the duck, came into our suite and we were able to take pictures with him.  The game itself almost went into extra innings, but the away team, Bowie Baysox, scored the winning run in the 9th inning.  Despite the loss, the game was a fun experience for all of us.  After the game ended Elizabeth Bartz took the opportunity to say goodbye to two of the interns, Elizabeth Scozzaro and Costa Janos, who were finishing their internship two days later.

Yesterday was my first time to attend a Public Affairs Council (PAC) conference. The Digital Media and Advocacy Summit was great!

I really enjoyed the sessions – they were timely and relevant, and I loved the variety of speakers. I also think it speaks volumes about the quality of the conferences organized by PAC, when you get to the last session of the day and the majority of attendees are still awake and present!

Take a look at the summit’s amazing agenda. I will definitely plan to attend future PAC Conferences.

State and Federal Communications, Inc., is excited to announce our participation as an exhibitor at the 2015 NCSL Legislative Summit, August 3-6 in Seattle, WA.  While creating your agenda for the week, make sure visiting our team at Booth 921 is a must-do item!  As The Compliance Standard, we will be ready to answer all of your compliance questions.  So join us as we anticipate another successful event!