More than 500 restaurateurs from across the country will convene in Washington, D.C., from April 17-18 for the National Restaurant Association’s 26th annual Public Affairs Conference, which will feature House Speaker John Boehner, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressmen Cedric Richmond and Bobby Schilling, and political journalist Ron Brownstein.

The conference agenda also includes the Gala Restaurant Industry Awards Program honoring the winners of the 2012 Faces of Diversity and Restaurant Neighbor awards.

This year’s conference theme, “America Works Here,” is part of the National Restaurant Association’s ongoing campaign that helps illustrate the industry’s story as a leading job creator to opinion leaders.

America’s restaurant industry is the nation’s second-largest private-sector employer, providing nearly 13 million jobs, or one in 10 workers.

During Capitol Hill meetings, conference attendees will provide Congressional members and staff with a better understanding of the integral role the restaurant industry plays in our nation’s economy, and advocate for pro-growth policies and legislation.

The conference will take place at the Renaissance Washington Downtown Hotel, 999 9th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, April 17
6-9 p.m. Gala Restaurant Industry Awards Program
Winners of the 2012 Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity awards will be honored. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) will pay tribute to the winners, while National Journal editorial director and Pulitzer Prize finalist Ron Brownstein, one of America’s top political journalists, will deliver his perspective on this year’s election-year landscape during the program.

Wednesday, April 18
8-9:30 a.m. Legislative Landscape Breakfast Program
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.)
Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner (R-Ohio)