For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 8, 2008

New Seminar Shows Association Members How to Persuade Elected Officials

The new year brings a new round of Washington, D.C. fly-ins for associations and their members. They now have a new learning resource that teaches them how to deliver a powerful message to their elected officials. It’s the new “Climbing the Hill” seminar from Barks Communications.

“Successful associations realize that their members’ livelihoods depend on their ability to deliver a power-packed message to members of Congress,” said company President Ed Barks.

“Association members arriving in town for a legislative fly-in are too often sent up to Capitol Hill with little more than a map, a pat on the back, and wishes for good luck,” he continued.

“Our Climbing the Hill seminar substitutes knowledge and preparation for blind luck,” he added. “This public policy course helps association members organize their message and teaches skills they need to drive that message home when visiting lawmakers.”

Climbing the Hill reviews what to expect when visiting Capitol Hill. Each session covers such issues as the importance of Congressional staff, the brevity of most visits, and insights into key members of Congress.

Barks points out that the seminar also enhances job security for association executives: “If members look bad because they are unprepared, it comes as no surprise when association executives take the heat.”

Videotaped exercises accompanied by review and expert critique from Ed Barks also play an integral educational role in every session.

Another critical element of Climbing the Hill is its concentration on leveraging Capitol Hill visits once an association’s members return home. “Meaningful Washington, D.C., fly-ins must be more than one day affairs,” Barks emphasized. “There is a direct correlation between public policy success and commitment from association members to engage the Senator or Representative on a sustained basis back home.”

Contact Ed Barks at (540) 955-0600 to reserve a Climbing the Hill seminar. Learn more about the offering at www.barkscomm.com/climbingthehill.

Ed Barks works with corporate and association executives who need to communicate effectively in public, and with consultants who want to keep their clients happy. He is author of the book The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations. As President of Barks Communications since 1997, he has taught more than 3000 business leaders, association executives, government officials, athletes, entertainers, non-profit executives, and public relations staff how to succeed when they communicate in public.