Join CAA and the Connecticut Tourism Coalition for Arts, Culture + Tourism Advocacy Day on April 8!
This is an opportunity to collectively show our political leaders how valuable we are to the future of Connecticut. Your presence and voice are essential during this budget planning process to highlight the tangible benefits of investing in our industries, from building new jobs to developing vibrant cities, attracting visitors and millennials, and to expanding state tax revenue.
LOCATION
Legislative Office Building
300 Capitol Avenue
Room 1D
Hartford, CT 06106
SCHEDULE
9:00 a.m. Advocacy Day Prep Meeting – Exclusively for CAA Members
- What to Expect at Advocacy Day
- Legislative Session 2019 Update and Policy Recommendations
- Tips for Advocating for the Arts
- Brief Q & A
9:15 a.m. Registration + Exhibit Tables
- Pickup your name tag and materials for the day.
- Socialize, network, and visit tables from various arts, culture, and tourism partners from around the state.
10:00 a.m. Program
- Welcome from hosts CT Tourism Coalition and CT Arts Alliance
- Remarks from Wendy Bury (Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition) and Stephen Tagliatela (Saybrook Point Inn), co-chairs of the Lamont-Bysiewicz Transition Arts, Culture and Tourism Policy Committee
- Remarks from legislators, including Representative Toni Walker and others to be announced
- Remarks from the Department of Economic and Community Development, including Randy Fiveash from Office of Tourism, Liz Shapiro from the Office of the Arts, and others to be announced
11:30 a.m. Tourism Caucus Meeting
- This meeting is open to the public and usually televised on CT-N, so a standing-room-only crowd from arts, culture, and tourism is essential to make our collective message clear.
- Welcome from Senator Paul Formica and Representative Dorinda Borer plus remarks from other legislators in the caucus
- CT Arts Alliance and CT Tourism Coalition have specifically invited representatives to speak to the caucus members
- Agenda includes a discussion about changing their name to Arts, Culture, and Tourism Caucus
TO PREPARE FOR THE DAY
- Tell the legislators who represent where you live and work that you are attending Arts, Culture, and Tourism Advocacy Day and invite them to the program and caucus meeting. Not sure who they are? Search for them here.
- Educate yourself on our policy recommendation to increase arts, culture, and tourism funding, which CT Tourism Coalition, CT Arts Alliance, CT Humanities, Marine Trades Association, CT Restaurant Association, and, most recently, the Speaker’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Tourism have endorsed.
- Plan your travel, especially if this is your first time in the Legislative Office Building (often referred to as the “LOB”). Here is an interactive map and the detailed directions for driving and public transit. Plan enough time to get through security.
- Make a plan for lunch. There is a cafeteria in the Legislative Office Building, but you are also welcome to pack your own food and snacks.
- Bring some swag! We encourage you to bring materials that represent you and your organization, but please plan to bring home these materials at the end of the event.