An expected 500 restaurateurs from across the country will convene in Washington April 17 to 18 for the National Restaurant Association's 27th annual Public Affairs Conference.
The 2013 public affairs conference theme, "Carry the Message – America Works Here," is part of the National Restaurant Association's ongoing campaign to tell the industry's story as a leading job creator to opinion leaders. The restaurant industry is the nation's second-largest private sector employer of more than 13 million individuals and an engine of economic growth. The America Works Here slogan encompasses the industry's workforce, its diversity, and the opportunity the industry provides, as well as the integration of the business into Americans' daily routines. The nation's nearly one million restaurants serve 130 million people every day.
During Capitol Hill meetings, conference attendees will provide members of Congress and staff with first hand experiences, articulating the need for pro-growth policies, including tax and immigration reforms, as well as reforms to the 2010 health care law. The conference agenda also includes the Gala Restaurant Industry Awards Program honoring the winners of the 2013 Faces of Diversity and Restaurant Neighbor Awards.
