Legislative Action Conference

Be part of advocacy in action when you attend SNA’s Legislative Action Conference in the nation’s capital.

March 5-7, 2023 | Washington, D.C.

Due to overwhelming interest, registration for LAC is now closed and at capacity. At this point, we do not foresee the opportunity for a spot to open. That said, if you are in DC, you could consider checking onsite as there may be last minute no-shows. But please know that we cannot guarantee a spot.

Thank you for being a school nutrition advocate and your interest in attending LAC.

Event Details

What to Expect

Right Time. Right Now.

The Legislative Action Conference (LAC) is one of SNA’s most highly anticipated and informative conferences. LAC allows attendees to experience firsthand the inner workings of the democratic process, learn about current legislative and regulatory challenges facing school nutrition and advocate directly with their legislators.

Need help convincing your supervisor to send you to #LAC23? Click here to download a customizable letter sharing the benefits of attending the conference.

SNA Political Action Committee Booth

With your help, SNA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) works to support, educate and thank Congressional members who are involved in and passionate about SNA issues. Bring your questions and stop by the PAC table at LAC to learn more about how crucial your support is in helping to meet the PAC goals.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

SNA CEUs are aligned with USDA Professional Standards required annual training. Participants who attend the full conference will earn CEUs toward SNA’s Certificate Program, the SNS Credential renewal and USDA Professional Standards. The Professionals Standards Tracking Grid will be available on the LAC23 app to help you keep track of your training.

CPEU Information for RDs AND DTRs

Registered Dietitians (RDNs/DTRs) can also earn CPEUs, but must follow a different process and the instruction document will also be available in the LAC app.  More specific questions about CPEUs should be sent to education@schoolnutrition.org. 

Courtesy Policy

Please be courteous to other attendees and speakers. Turn off all cellular phones and electronic devices during conference sessions.

#LAC23 Schedule

Pre-Conference Workshop

Advocating for your Programs at the State and Federal Level

1:00 pm—4:00 pm. Saturday, March 4, 2023

Successful Legislative Visits: The legislature’s door is open to you. But what are you going to say once inside? This class teaches you how to speak with and what to say to lawmakers in understandable, comfortable, informative, and persuasive ways. You will learn the basics of grassroots face-to-face advocacy, what motivates lawmakers, and how to structure an effective lobbying visit. Preparation and presentation checklists are included.

Speaker: Robert Guyer

A separate registration fee is required ($130). Space is limited.

General Sessions

Opening General Session

1:15 pm—2:30 pm Sunday, March 5, 2023

The Current Political and Legislative Environment
Keynote Speaker: Charlie Cook

For more than three decades, Charlie Cook has been delivering independent, non-partisan political analysis as the founder of “The Cook Political Report," deemed by The New York Times as “a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative.” In this talk, Cook will discuss today’s political and legislative environments in a balanced way, providing insights into the latest from the Biden administration, the interplay between Congressional Democrats and Republicans, as well as an expert outlook for what will happen in Washington this year. He’ll also explore how President Biden and the Democratic agenda will play on Capitol Hill and across the country and the impact this may have on the midterm elections.

First General Session

3:00 pm—4:30 pm Sunday, March 5, 2023

Presentation of the SNA 2023 Position Paper
Speakers: Jessica Gould, PP&L Committee

Members of the SNA Public Policy and Legislation Committee will provide an extensive overview, talking points, relevant background information and more on the SNA 2023 Position Paper. Attendees will leave with the tools necessary to advocate for child nutrition programs with the newly sworn-in 118^th Congress.

Second General Session

8:30 am—10:00 am Monday, March 6, 2023

USDA 2023 Update
Speakers: Melissa Rothstein, other USDA representatives

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be on hand to deliver the annual update on child nutrition. Areas of primary focus will be ongoing and upcoming research, USDA Foods, school nutrition standards and other late-breaking news and updates.

Third General Session

10:00 am—12:00 pm Monday, March 6

Part 1: SNA Update 2023
Speakers: Lori Adkins, MS, SNS, CHE; Patricia Montague, FASAE, CAE

Part 2: Healthy School Meals for All: Successful State Strategies
Speakers: Jodi Risse, MS, RD, LDN; Alisa Roman, SNS; Nicole Melia, MS, RD, LDN; Nicole Meschi, SNS; Molly Brant, RD, SNS

Since federal waivers expired, many states have taken legislative and non-legislative measures to ensure kids have access to healthy school meals. In this session, advocates from California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland and Pennsylvania will come together to share tips and lessons learned from their advocacy efforts, the political realities of their communities and successful strategies and approaches.

Closing General Session

2:15 pm—3:30 pm Monday, March 6, 2023

Part 1: The Supply Chain Saga: Where Things Stand Today
Speaker: Mark Baum

FMI has been addressing supply chain and related challenges since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, and exacerbated by labor challenges, inflation, the war in Ukraine, and other variables and uncertainties. Working with their members, advisors, and solution providers, the association has been collaborating across the value chain to identify root causes, share best practices, develop roadmaps, and provide tools to restore equilibrium and build great flexibility and resilience into the system. Today FMI will share perspectives on these issues and their outlook going forward.

Part 2: The Science of Health
Speaker: Marty Makary, MD, MPH

How can students eat healthier, avoid chronic diseases, and pay attention in school in better? There’s power in the new science of food. Dr. Makary, a Johns Hopkins health expert, will discuss how new research is pointing us to some surprising new findings that can improve well-being and address food insecurity in America.

Events

SNS Credentialing Exam: Earn SNA's School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential

9:00 am—1:00 pm Saturday, March 4, 2023

Ready to earn your School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential? Take the exam at #LAC23. Registration, approval and payment must be made in advance and cannot be done on site. Click here to register or email certSNS@schoolnutrition.org.

Fees

Member Fee: $225
Non-Member Fee: $325

Registration deadline: Monday, February 20, 2023

SNF Dance Party

7:00 pm—10:00 pm Monday, March 6, 2023

SNF will let the good times roll again by hosting the 2023 SNF Dance party at LAC on Monday, March 6, 2023. Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to party with The Rollex Band, the most-requested dance party band on the entire East Coast. Watch them perform here.

The School Nutrition Foundation is excited to host this special occasion in support of all SNA members. We expect a sell-out crowd, so buy your tickets today because space on the dance floor is limited. Click here and add the SNF Dance Party to your cart. Tickets are just $150 for school nutrition professionals and $250 for industry members.

Hill Visits

8:00 am—5:00 pm Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Bring your expertise, your enthusiasm and your stories to Washington, D.C., and take advantage of this annual opportunity to get your message across to your state’s Congressional delegation. This day is reserved for visiting U.S. Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill. If you plan to attend LAC, contact your legislators’ offices now to schedule either in-person or virtual meetings for this day.

Hotel and Travel

The SNA room block at the JW Marriott is full and the housing cut-off is 2/2/23. You may still be able to get rooms at the property on your own, but it will be for a higher rate. There is still plenty of inventory in the city and you can find hotels and rates by going to Hotels.com and searching for properties close to the JW Marriott.

Hotel Accommodations

J.W. Marriott Washington D.C.
(Headquarters Hotel)

1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 393-2000

Check-in: 4:00 pm; Check-out: 12:00 pm

Reservation Information

SNA Discounted Room Rates: $329 single/double, plus tax (currently 14.95%). Each additional person is $30+tax per night.

REMINDER: Conference registration is required before you will be allowed to reserve a room within SNA’s discounted hotel room block. After you’ve submitted your payment and received your order confirmation, you will be given access to the Housing Reservation system, with a unique housing registration link tied to your individual registration. If you are having issues booking or updating your room reservation online, please call the JW Washington, D.C., hotel directly at the above number and state that you need assistance with your SNA Legislative Action Conference reservation. Don’t delay! SNA’s discounted room block will be released on February 3, 2023, but may be sold out prior to that date. SNA reserves the right to cancel, without notification, any reservation that does not have a corresponding registration for LAC 2023.

Cancellation policy: Reservations must be canceled ten (10) working days prior to arrival date, and a cancellation number must be obtained to avoid a penalty of one night’s room and tax charge.

Hotel Amenities, Services and Cleaning Protocols

Travel Information

Air Transportation

Your travel arrangements can be made by calling Corporate Traveler at (571) 302-7187, emailing Rachel.Kronlein@corporatetraveler.us or by going to SNA’s online reservations system at https://portal.fcm.travel/SNA. Book early for the best flight options and lowest fare availability. The closest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Please be aware that a $30 convenience fee will be included if you book through Corporate Traveler.

For travel tips, visit the Traveler Resource Hub from our partner Corporate Traveler, which includes helpful resources such as handy checklists, FAQs and links to travel providers detailing their health and safety measures.

Ground Transportation

The JW Marriott is located 15 minutes from Reagan National Airport (DCA) and 2 miles from Union Station.

UBER is available for approximately $30 from DCA and approximately $70 from IAD.
Taxis are available at a rate of $30 one-way from DCA and $70-$90 one-way from IAD and BWI Airports.
If you are taking the Metro from DCA, use the BLUE line toward Largo Town Center and get off at Metro Center Station.

City Information

Planning Your Evening and Local Visits

When planning your visit to the nation’s capital, it’s always best to plan ahead. For information on Washington, D.C.’s attractions and interactive maps of the city, visit www.washington.org.

Registration

REGISTRATION FEES:

EARLY BIRD RATE—EB (RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE 2/1/23)
REGULAR RATE—RR (RECEIVED BETWEEN 2/2/23 and 2/25/23)
ON-SITE RATE—OS (RECEIVED AFTER 2/25/23)

Do not mail/fax registrations. Registrations will only be accepted online.

Membership Categories	EB	RR	OS
FS Member/Retired Member	$555	$605	$635
FS Nonmember	$605	$655	$685
Government Rate (Federal or State)	$555	$605	$635
Family/Guest*	$495	$545	$575
Patron (1st Attendee)	$0	$0	$0
Industry Member	$640	$690	$750
Industry Nonmember	$740	$780	$850
One-Day Registration	$300	$300	$300

*Family/Spouse qualification applies to those individuals who are not in the foodservice industry.

Registration Details

Full registration includes access to all General Sessions, Educational Sessions and Luncheons, as well as full access to the digital content on the #LAC23 app for up to 30 days post-event. Confirmation of registration will be sent via email immediately upon processing. If you registered others, each individual will receive their own confirmation. If paid by mail, please allow up to two weeks for processing.

Note: A separate registration fee is required to attend the Pre-Conference Workshop and the SNF Dance Party (Limited availability).

Conference Scholarship

The J.T.M. Food Group “Jack Maas, Jr.” LAC Scholarship will provide members with the opportunity to attend SNA’s Legislative Action Conference (LAC) 2023.

Recipients of the scholarships will each receive $1,000 to cover registration, airfare, hotels, and meals. Each scholarship recipient must comply with his/her school district’s policy on out-of-district travel.

SNF will award four (4) scholarships for LAC 2023. Two (2) of the scholarships will be for First Timers only.

To apply, visit the School Nutrition Foundation’s Conference Scholarships.

Refunds/Cancellations

We’d hate for you to miss the conference, but if you must, cancellations and requests for refunds must be received in writing by February 25, 2023. Refunds will be processed less a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be made after February 25 or for NO SHOWS. Requests m ay be submitted via email to meetings@schoolnutrition.org.

Transfers

Registrants who are unable to attend the conference may transfer their registration to another individual within the same organization, provided advance written notice is forwarded to meetings@schoolnutrition.org. Please provide your name and the individual’s name whom you are transferring your registration. All transfers must be received by February 25, 2023, and will not be accepted onsite.

Need to Make a Change?

To make any changes, such as your registration type, and contact information, or to purchase tickets to an event or register a guest/family member, contact us at meetings@schoolnutrition.org or (800) 877-8822, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Resources

Review and utilize the following resources to maximize your conference experience and make the most of your time in the nation’s capital. Check back for other valuable tools!

SNA 2023 Position Paper
Reimbursement Rate Fact Sheet
Meals for All Fact Sheet
Nutrition Standards Fact Sheet
Regulatory Burdens Fact Sheet
2023 Position Paper Talking Points
2023 Position Paper Infographic
LAC Attendee Template Press Release
Sample Tweets & Social Media Posts

District Profile Worksheet
Download, print and complete a district profile sheet for each of your legislator meetings so that you have your relevant information ready to share!

SNA Advocacy Toolkit
Your one-stop guide contains all the information you need to be an effective advocate for school nutrition programs. Be sure to check out pages 14-19 for critical tips on making the most of your meetings with your legislators!

SNA Action Network
Locate your legislator bio and contact information! Check if they have voted for or sponsored key school nutrition program bills. Taking a few minutes now to do the research will pay off exponentially during your meetings.

SNA’s Political Action Committee (PAC)

Learn more about PAC and how you can get involved. Your donation is critical to the success of our policy goals, so be sure to stop by the PAC Booth at LAC. You can also

Getting Around Capitol Hill (Video)
Need help getting around for your day on the Hill? Plan ahead—check out this printable map of Capitol Hill

#LAC2023 Mobile App
The app will make it easy to access the event content and connect with other attendees during and before #LAC23. Download the official app today!

Download on Google Play
Download on Apple App Store

LAC 2023 Feedback Form Return
Complete your feedback form after your meeting with your legislator.

FAQs

CPEU Information for RDNs AND NDTRs

Registered Dietitians (RDNs/DTRs) can also earn CPEUs, by using the training tracker. SNA no longer offers CPEU certificates for in-person conferences. According to the Commission of Dietetic Registration's (CDR) Professional Development Portfolio Guide, ANC is eligible for CPEU credit, without a CPEU certificate, and the training tracking is sufficient for RDN/NDTR's CDR Activity Log. For additional information on the CDR Professional Development Portfolio, visit this link.

LAC Conference Sponsors

LAC Gem Club Sponsors

Diamond Club

Ruby Club

Heartland School Solutions

LUNCHABLES

Rich Products

Pearl Club

Cool School Cafe

General Mills Convenience & Foodservice

J & J Snack Foods Corp.

SFSPac Food Safety & Sanitation System

Traulsen, a division of ITW/FEG

Vulcan, a division of ITW/FEG

Winston Foodservice

Sponsorship & Advertising

Sponsorship opportunities include:

Conference Tote Bags. As the exclusive sponsor, your company will be top of mind throughout the year as all attendees continue to use these attractive, reusable bags during and after the conference in their daily lives.
Hotel Room Drops. Drop an item or collateral piece in the rooms of school nutrition operator attendees. One company each night: Sunday & Monday.
Conference Wi-Fi. Meeting attendees appreciate the opportunity to check their email and correspond with family and friends while away from home at LAC. Attendees will think of you when they access the complimentary conference wi-fi and look for login information in the conference learning journal.

Visit our sponsorship & advertising page for more information.

Future Meetings

Location	Dates
Washington, D.C.	March 3-5, 2024
Washington, D.C.	March 9-11, 2025
Washington, D.C.	March 8-10, 2026
Washington, D.C.	March 7-9, 2027
Washington, D.C.	March 3-5, 2028