February 27, 2012 – Are you headed to Washington, D.C., this weekend for SNA's 40th annual Legislative Action Conference (LAC)? Well, get ready for four inspiring days in the nation’s capital—where history happens every day and where you’ll join together with hundreds of your school nutrition colleagues to walk the halls of Congress and help attract attention to school nutrition programs nationwide. This year’s conference will be the largest LAC to date, with more than 900 attendees already registered. If you don’t want to miss being a part of this memorable event but haven’t yet registered, it’s not too late! Simply fill out the onsite registration form and turn it in at the LAC Registration desk when you arrive.

LAC will be taking place March 4-7, 2012, at the JW Marriott Hotel in the heart of downtown D.C., and just minutes from some of the most recognizable landmarks and monuments of our nation. Highlights of this year’s conference will include:

• The “Procurement 101” pre-conference session on Saturday, March 3, which will provide a comprehensive overview of the federal requirements, policies and regulations relating to procurement in school meals programs. You can still sign up to take part in this dynamic session but hurry—more than 70 people have already signed up!
• Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report, will give the keynote address during the Opening General Session on Sunday, March 4.
• You also won’t want to miss the three and a half hours that are being dedicated to the final meal pattern regulation and the implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
• And finally, the Closing General Session on Wednesday, March 7, will bring together viewpoints spanning three generations of agricultural leaders, with former Secretaries of Agriculture Dan Glickman and John Block and former Deputy Secretary Charles Conner all taking part.

And when the learning and lobbying is done on Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6, you will meet old and new friends during the LAC Banquet and the Global Child Nutrition Foundation’s A Possible Dream Gala, a special evening that celebrates the champions of child nutrition.

If you’re starting to pack for your trip, business attire is appropriate for LAC sessions and your day on Capitol Hill. Business-formal to evening-dressy attire is recommended for the LAC Banquet, while cocktail attire is appropriate for the A Possible Dream Gala. The projected weather forecast during LAC is partly sunny with highs in the mid-50s. For current weather information, as well as details about things to see and do in the nation’s capital, visit www.accuweather.com and www.washington.org.

Every meal you serve makes a difference for children in your district, but you can do even more by helping to shape national policies about school nutrition programs and children’s health. Come to Washington for LAC 2012 and let your legislators know, loud and clear, your priorities as a child nutrition expert! To register onsite, please download and complete the onsite registration form and turn in at the LAC Registration desk.

Related Links:

LAC 2012

LAC Onsite Registration Form