To ensure leaders of organizations that make up the Maryland Tech Council have tools and resources they need to be effective advocates for our industry, MTC hosted Government Affairs Bootcamps for life sciences and technology company executives to learn how to work within the legislative process to strengthen the business ecosystem and defend innovation.

Speakers discussed the basics of advocacy and lobbying to help leaders formulate a strategy around the kinds of policies CEOs would like enacted in Annapolis and Washington, D.C., especially within the life sciences and technology industries.These sessions engaged leaders on the fundamentals of how to be an effective advocate and walk through different ways to tell your story that impact policymakers, including providing testimony, meeting with legislators in person, and more. The session also discussed specific legislative priorities and include a post-2018-election update and analysis.

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October 16, 2018: Tech/Cyber CEO Government Affairs Bootcamp co-hosted with Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)

Pamela Metz Kasemeyer, Managing Partner, Schwartz, Metz & Wise, P.A.

• Policy 101
• Why You Should Get Involved

LaTara Harris, Regional Director – External & Legislative Affairs, AT&T Services, Inc.

• Past Maryland Tech Council Legislative Successes
• 5G & Cyber Investment – AT&T

Jamil Jaffer, Vice President for Strategy and Partnerships, IronNet Cybersecurity

• 2019 Cyber Issues and What’s on the Horizon

Stacey Smith, Executive Director, Cyber Association of Maryland, Inc (CAMI)

• “Buy Local” Tax Credit (Past Legislative Success)

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November 13, 2018: Biotechnology and Life Sciences Government Affairs Bootcamp hosted by American Gene Technologies

Pamela Metz Kasemeyer, Managing Partner, Schwartz, Metz & Wise, P.A.

• Policy 101
• Why You Should Get Involved

Angie Gochenaur, Director, State Government Affairs – Eastern Region, The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)

Nicole Palya Wood, Senior Director, State Advocacy, PhRMA

• Drug Pricing and Health Care Legislation

Tim Lyden, Chair of Maryland Life Sciences Legislative Committee, Director, State Government Affairs at Eli Lilly and Company

Drew Holden, Senior Associate, Rational 360

• Past Maryland Life Sciences Successes
• Life Sciences Legislation on the Horizon

Brad Stewart, Chairman of Maryland Life Sciences Board, Chief Executive Officer, Immunology Partners

• How to be an Effective Advocate