More than 100 industry professionals gathered in Washington, DC, last week for the second annualCement and Concrete Industry Fly-In.  The two-day event included  several panels and policy sessions focusing on environmental, health, and safety regulatory and legislative topics that impact the industry.  

Among the highlights were a welcome/briefing by keynote speakers Sen. Ted Cruz and House T&I Chairman Bill Shuster; an event in honor of Rep.  Jason Lewis; and a closing reception honoring the 2018 Cement and Concrete Champions Rep. Charlie Dent and Rep. Daniel Lipinski.

On the second day, 14 small teams attended more than 100 meetings with lawmakers to urge infrastructure investment and talk about other topics important to contractors, cement producers, and other members of the associations.   

Since the fly-in, PCA’s Rachel Derby says the House  has passed the FAA Reauthorization, which included the industry supported Disaster Recovery Reform Act and provided stable funding for the Airport Improvement Program. It also removed unnecessary restrictions on the PFC, which will allow airports to more effectively finance projects.  Also, sponsorship for the PAID Act has increased  and Congressional offices are even more aware of our industries’ priorities.

Throughout the event, PCA and ACPA, along with members & affiliates of both associations, supported the messages being delivered on Capitol Hill with a robust social media program that emphasized infrastructure investment, while also discussing facts about the importance of cement and concrete industries to the nation’s economy.