Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1519075
70 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2024 We're a voice for the whole electronics industry... names, have a lot of resources, and tend not to have a problem getting attention. But espe- cially on Capitol Hill, people like to hear from the businesses that employ people within their state and their district, no matter the size of the company. In another example, DoD released its national industrial strategy in early January, and the Assistant Secretary of Defense said the ideas in the strategy came directly from talking with members of industry. at input is imper- ative to the policymaking process. e point is that all these businesses matter. All voices are important and valid. How important is advocacy now, and how do industry members become involved? Cappetto: We are at a moment where policymakers are aware that something needs to be done, and their attention is turned in our direction. Now is the time to have a seat at the table. When people are discussing what needs to be done, you want your voice in the mix. Over the past 20 years, this is the most interest I've seen from Capitol Hill on what's typically considered niche business issues. Koger: e best way to get involved is to send an executive from your company to the Hill and talk to Congress members with us. You are welcome here, and we will help facilitate that visit. Cappetto: In the past, IPC organized an annual "IMPACT Day," where we had multiple indus- try members come to D.C. and meet with members of Congress. We may continue to do that, but we want to be nimble. If there's an opportunity for you to step in and talk to just one or two members on the Hill, we will facil- itate that. We want to have a constant pres- ence, even if it's small. Members of Congress are happy to hear from you. It is a lot of fun. jobs in our states. ere are different visions of how that should look in America. How do you define advocacy, and why is it so important for our industry? How do you engage more of our industry in those efforts, especially when they think their voice is inconsequential? Koger: To me, an advocate is the voice for someone who needs a bigger voice. at's what we're doing for the industry. Obviously, there are many big organizations or corporations whose names everyone knows. ey bring a lot of weight to advocacy, but there needs to be a voice for the whole industry. at's impor- tant as well. Cappetto: We're a voice for the whole electronics industry, but we're also a voice specifically for electronics manufacturing. Our members are involved in other associations, which makes sense for their busi- ness. However, IPC's strength is that, as an organization and by virtue of its broad member- ship, we understand and represent the specific pressures and chal- lenges in value chain manufactur- ing because we talk to members of electronics manufacturing directly. We are dedicated to our members. Where they want us to speak, we are their advocates. This effort represents all industry members, regardless of where you might find yourself on the size spectrum, not just the big guys. Cappetto: Absolutely. Kate and I were at a meeting on the Hill last September with a Con- gressman from Michigan, and we showed him a list of relevant companies in his state. His biggest reaction was to a small company in his district. He was very interested in many of those small- and medium-sized companies. Of course, the big names are well-known brand