An HFA member receives a “demand letter” from a lawyer alleging his store’s website doesn’t meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and threatening a lawsuit unless the retailer pays the lawyer’s sight-impaired client. How should he respond? A furniture retailer is alarmed that a dresser fell over and killed a toddler in his city. What can he do to help prevent accidents like that? A tax glitch makes it impossible for a store owner to write off the cost of improvements to his showroom and warehouse. How did that happen?

These and countless other issues came up during the past year and were addressed by HFA’s Government Relations Action Team. HFA government relations liaison Doug Clark and HFA lobbyist Chris Andresen will talk about these issues and how they can affect your business. They’ll also look ahead to what might happen next year. Find out more about the association’s Government Relations Action Team and how you can get involved and help make government work for our industry, not against it.

Presenter: Chris Andresen, Vice President, Dutko & Home Furnishings Association Lobbyist and Doug Clark, Home Furnishings Association Content Manager and Liaison, Home Furnishings Association Government Relations Team

Chris works extensively with clients to identify policy opportunities and threats to create detailed legislative and executive strategies. His broad experience includes working with companies, universities, non-profits, and trade associations in the following sectors: workforce development, consumer products, manufacturing, retail, biotechnology, renewable energy, criminal justice, mental health, technology, and higher education. Chris frequently presents to corporate Boards of Directors on the overall state of Congress and the Administration, focusing on the impact their actions have on business activities and decisions.

You’ve heard from the cable news talking heads and pundits, now it’s time to hear from HFA’s lobbyists, Chris Andresen and Bill Simmons from Dutko. They’ll give a view from the Beltway as they talk about the recent mid-term election, the Wayfair ruling, and what 2019 looks like for the furniture industry—and your businesses. Join us for a live Q&A!

PRESENTED BY:
Bill Simmons, Managing Principal, Dutko
Bill draws upon an entrepreneurial background combined with his government service to specialize in appropriations, transportation, higher education, tax, energy, environment and natural resources issues.
After working in business for several years, he started his career on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant for issues as diverse as appropriations, transportation, energy, communications, taxes, banking, agriculture and the environment. He has worked at Dutko for nearly 20 years.

Chris Andresen, Vice President, Dutko
Chris works extensively with clients to identify policy opportunities and threats to create detailed legislative and executive strategies. His broad experience includes working with companies, universities, non-profits, and trade associations in the following sectors: workforce development, consumer products, manufacturing, retail, biotechnology, renewable energy, criminal justice, mental health, technology, and higher education. Chris frequently presents to corporate Boards of Directors on the overall state of Congress and the Administration, focusing on the impact their actions have on business activities and decisions.

You’ve heard from the cable news talking heads and pundits, now it’s time to hear from HFA’s lobbyist, Chris Andresen from Dutko. He’ll give a view from the Beltway as he talks about 2018 and what it looks like for the furniture industry—and your businesses.