Washington Forum

2023 Washington Forum

Monday, October 30-Wednesday, November 1

The Forum includes presentations and briefings from national and global experts on pertinent policy, technical, regulatory, and management issues impacting the surface finishing industry, including environmental regulatory issues, labor and workplace trends, tax policy, economic outlooks, supply chain challenges, globally regulatory developments, and political and election outlooks.

Recent speakers at the Forum have included Jake Sherman- Founder, Punchbowl News, Jeff Weiss- Partner, Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, Marc Freedman- Vice President of Employment Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Michael Chipley- Cyber Security & Information Systems Information Analysis Center.

In addition, Washington Forum Participants also have the option during the event to meet with their own congressional representatives and staff to educate them about the importance and impact of the surface finishing industry, the challenges facing companies, and specific policy priorities of concern.

Registration & Hotel Arrangements

Member-Rate: $695
Non-Member-Rate: $895

The Washington Forum will be taking place at The Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City. Please make your hotel arrangements by October 6.

When booking flights, remember as an NASF member you receive a Delta discount. Click here for instructions.

Working Agenda

Monday Afternoon, October 30, 2023 | Ambassador Room

1:00 – 5:00         NASF Board of Directors Meeting – Ritz Carlton

Monday Evening, October 30, 2023 | Diplomat Room

6:00 – 8:00         NASF Forum Welcome Reception – Ritz Carlton, Salon II

                                           Debra Shore, EPA Region 5 Administrator (Chicago) Invited

Tuesday Morning, October 31, 2023 | Diplomat Room

8:00 – 8:10         Opening Remarks          

                                           Waasy Boddison, NASF President

                                           Rick Delawder, SWD Inc., Chairman, NASF Government Advisory Committee

8:10 – 8:30         NASF Update:  The Industry Agenda

                                           Christian Richter, The Policy Group

8:30 – 9:30         Automotive Industry Policy Agenda and Supply Chain Priorities

                                           Mark Bacchus, Senior Manager, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Toyota

                                           Catherine Palin, Senior Attorney and Environmental Director, AAI

                                            Bill Frymoyer, Vice President, Public Policy, Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association

9:30 – 10:15       U.S. Economic and Manufacturing Outlook

                                           Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce                                 

10:15 – 10:30    Break

10:30 – 11:15    EPA’s PFAS Effluent Guidelines for Surface Finishing: Rulemaking Status & Update    

                                           Dr. Philip Flanders, EPA Office of Water

11:15 – Noon    A Wastewater Utility Perspective on the Challenge of PFAS and Surface Finishing

                                           Cynthia Finley, National Association of Clean Water Agencies

Noon – 1:30      Lunch Keynote | Ambassador Room

                                           Heather Evans, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing

U.S. Department of Commerce

1:30 – 2:00         Break

2:00 – 2:45         Labor and Workplace Policy: Recent Actions and Trends Impacting Employers 

                                           Marc Freedman, Vice President of Employment Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce  

2:45 – 3:15         U.S. Trade Policy and the Manufacturing Supply Chain: Outlook for 2022

                                           John Herrman, Partner, Kelley Drye | Invited      

3:15 – 3:30         Break       

3:30 – 4:15         The Defense Industrial Base: U.S. Department of Defense Outlook and Priorities

                                          Halimah Najieb-Locke, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience

4:15 – 5:00         Strengthening the Future of U.S. Manufacturing: Metals and Critical Minerals

                                         Jennifer Knight, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods, Materials, Critical Minerals and Metals, U.S. Department of Commerce                                      

5:00                     Adjourn

5:15 – 5:45         Congressional Meetings:  Preparing for Meetings for Capitol Hill (Optional)

                                           Christian Richter, The Policy Group

                                           Jeff Hannapel, The Policy Group

6:00 – 8:00         NASF Forum Reception – Ritz Carlton | Ambassador Room

                                           U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Invited

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Diplomat Room

7:00 – 8:30         NASF Breakfast & Briefing                        

                                           Christian Richter, The Policy Group

                                           Jeff Hannapel, The Policy Group

8:30 – 5:00         Congressional Visits (Optional – Restricted Access) Capitol Hill        

Cancellation Policy

 If a cancellation is requested prior to October 1, 2023, a full refund will be issued with a $75 handling fee. Those requesting cancellations between October 2 – 15, 2023, will be issued a 50% refund. No requested refund will be issued after October 16, 2023. 

Any questions regarding this event can be directed to NASF at [email protected]g