13 Things That Happened At The ACT Fly-In
Every year, ACT|The App Association hosts a group of incredible tech executives and app makers from across the country in Washington D.C. They are immersed in three days of tech policy and meetings with their elected officials in Congress, the White House, and regulatory agencies – and of course, plenty of the best food in the nation’s capital. There are always memorable moments and this year we decided to immortalize them with our first BuzzFeed post! Let the memories begin:
1. ACT has a secret ninja as a member
Courtesy of ACT | The App Association
He was so excited to be in DC that he forgot to hide his skills for a second and we caught him in the act!
2. Congressmen are people too!
Courtesy of ACT | The App Association
During one of our meetings, ACT members overheard a couple representatives joking with a staffer about sleeping through church and getting braces. Who knew they were so fun?!
3. Celebrities hang out in the Capitol
Boss Tweed via Wikimedia Commons / Via creativecommons.org
An ACT member spotted Donald Trump not once, but twice while navigating the offices in the Capitol building.
4. Our members have amazing stories
In one of our meetings, an ACT member explained a little about her business and the work she does with kids with special needs. When she finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
5. Meetings were had in hallways
Courtesy of ACT | The App Association
Sometimes offices are small, nonexistent, or being used so meetings are often conducted in random places. The good news: the staffers are used to it, so they are still listening and taking notes!
6. 3 names were dropped in one meeting…
Courtesy of ACT | The App Association
Obama, Tim Cook, and Air Force One…impressive.
7. ACT member was elected Senator
Courtesy of Dave Noderer
…Okay, not really…but we have a board member with some mega impressive Photoshop skills.
8. Members of Congress love selfies and photo ops almost as much as we do!
Courtesy of Ann Adair, Tricia McKenzie, Sebastian Holst, Dave Noderer, and Courtney Bernard
We think this one is pretty self-explanatory.
9. Selfie Sticks 4 Evr
Courtesy of Melissa Lee
This year we gave all of our members (and staff) selfie sticks to encourage them to tweet more. It worked! But we may have accidentally created a selfie stick obsession for our chief of staff…(totally worth it).
10. Random things can be found in the House Office Buildings…
Courtesy of Steve Organ
Like a cardboard Liberace with directions…random.
11. ACT members left their marks all over DC
Courtesy of Melissa Lee, Courtney Bernard, and Sebastian Holst
Our members left a lasting impression around the nation’s capital with company logos, location pins and more.
12. Hey, thanks!
Courtesy of Loren Goodman
Last year’s fly-in was incredibly successful. Through the efforts of our members, we were able to influence the movement of an important piece of legislation through the House. This year, attendees had the opportunity to thank members of Congress for their work.
13. ACT members make a difference
Courtesy of ACT | The App Association
By speaking up about issues facing their companies, ACT members influence policy and bring a voice not often heard to Capitol Hill. What could be better? The offices we met with want to help and hear more from us (which really, is icing on the cake!).