Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/860755
BUSINESS An Inside View oming into my internship at the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, I was unfamiliar with the size and scale of the pallet industry. I had always noticed stacks of pallets next to businesses and construction sites, but had never properly used one, let alone understood their significance to the global economy. My interests had always been in politics and the natural world. An interest in forestry and resource management connected me with the wooden pallet industry, and I am both excited and proud to participate in the advocacy of this fine industry. The highlight of my experience so far has been the NWPCA Congressional Fly-In. Getting the opportunity to meet the men and women who represent the pallet industry was a rewarding experience. In a city where ego often dominates the discussion, it was refreshing to see hardworking business owners interact with the lawmakers. As an industry, your importance to the national economy speaks for itself, but of course, a little extra speaking can go a long way. As a first-time lobbyist myself, navigating the halls and sitting down with staff in the congressional offices was truly eye- opening. Speaking as a millennial, face-to-face interaction has never been more valuable than it is today, especially when it comes to activism. Waiting in the congressional offices, I noticed just how frequent the incoming calls were. Most lasted only a couple minutes and were repetitions of the same stale, assuring words. The tone of our personal meetings with staffers was noticeably different. It was as if the noise and bustle of Capitol Hill was silenced and we had their real, undivided attention. Whether every word was written down and memorized is not important, we were there, and they were listening. While it is of course possible and necessary to contact representatives through email or phone, I believe that the fact that our organization showed up in person to discuss our issues will leave a lasting impression. The public's preoccupation on the role of media, and especially social media, in our political system only clouds the importance of the issues; meeting in- person helps cut through that communication barrier. As some of you may remember from our meeting with Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson: "You're either at the table or you're on the menu." Without a doubt, in that moment, we were at the table. Not every politician is our ally, but it is our job as an association to strengthen the alliances we do have while cultivating relationships with those we haven't yet made. I do believe that we have made alliances with Congressman Byrne and Congressman Thompson, and every meeting we had on the Hill could be the start of a new one. These two congressmen were presented with awards because their actions reflect their words: Congressman Byrne had recently visited the Bay C Business Blog By Houston Smith iStockphoto.com/ChrisGorgio 34 PalletCentral • July-August 2017 palletcentral.com