Television shows like Scandal and House of Cards paint a picture of high-powered lobbyists pulling the strings in Washington, but in reality, D.C. is a lot more like Veep — messy, unpredictable, and full of staffers who are far more influenced by real constituents than corporate power players. According to the Congressional Management Foundation, Members of Congress are 12 times more likely to act on an issue when they hear from a constituent rather than a lobbyist alone.

National Hydropower Association’s (NHA) Advocacy Day, which takes place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, is your chance to cut through the noise, meet directly with lawmakers and their staff, and make sure your voice—not just special interests—shapes the future of water power policy.

If you feel intimidated by the idea of going to Capitol Hill to advocate, that’s normal. It shouldn’t deter you from traveling with your colleagues up to the Hill to impact change.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, below are seven reasons why you should participate in NHA’s 2026 Advocacy Day!

SEVEN REASONS TO PARTICIPATE IN NHA’S ADVOCACY DAY

1. Lawmakers Work for You

Members of Congress and their staff are public servants, and their job is to listen to constituents. You’re not imposing—you’re giving them the information they need to make informed decisions.

2. You Don’t Need to Be a Policy Expert

You don’t need to know every legislative detail — your personal experience and industry insights are what matter most. Staffers and lawmakers appreciate real-world perspectives that help them understand the impact of policies on the communities they represent.

3. Staffers Are Young and Friendly

Forget the Hollywood portrayal of cutthroat operatives — many congressional staffers are in their 20’s and eager to learn from professionals in the field. They rely on advocates like you to provide expertise they don’t have. Most meetings take place with congressional staff, as legislators are usually pulled in ten directions at any given time. But these young staffers are qualified, passionate, and driven, and they can be the best advocate for you in the office.

4. You’ll Be Well-Prepared

NHA will equip you with various tools to walk into the Capitol with confidence. In addition to factsheets on each individual issue area, NHA will provide virtual training opportunities ahead of time, a comprehensive and easy-to-stash pocket card with all relevant talking points, and a session dedicated to Advocacy Day (complete with breakout groups led by current and former Hill staff to simulate day-of meetings!)

To learn more about the new offerings this year, see below. Plus, you’ll likely be part of a group — so you’re not doing it alone. If you do happen to be the lone wolf assigned to an office and would feel more comfortable in a group, just let me know. I’d be happy to group you together with other participants!

5. Your Voice Carries More Weight Than a Lobbyist’s

As previously mentioned, studies show that lawmakers are 12 times more likely to act when they hear from a constituent rather than a paid lobbyist. Your presence on the Hill is more powerful than you think.

6. It’s Not All Suits and Formalities

Capitol Hill isn’t just grand chambers and power meetings — it’s meetings in the halls, casual conversations, and a lot of coffee-fueled staffers running between offices. It’s far more approachable than it seems from the outside.

7. The Hardest Part Is Showing Up

Once you walk through those doors, you’ll realize it’s just a conversation — and one that could shape the future of the industry. If you don’t show up, someone else is speaking for you. If you’re not at the table, then you’re on the menu!

This is a unique opportunity that not everybody has the privilege to experience. You’ll have a great story and new memories to take back home with you.

Now that I’ve convinced you to join us on Wednesday, March 11, 2026; let’s visit some of the new offerings NHA is providing for this year’s Advocacy Day to make it better than ever.

NEW OFFERINGS THIS YEAR

Pocket Cards:

NHA will provide pocket cards for Advocacy Day participants to bring to their meetings. Designed to fit perfectly in a suit jacket pocket, the cards offer concise, top-line talking points on each of NHA’s initiatives, ensuring key information is always within easy reach.

Communicate and Plan via the Advocacy Day App:

As part of the continuous improvement of NHA’s Advocacy Day, we’ve taken your feedback about greater access to tools that enable connection between participants and made some changes to our Advocacy Day app. Now, participants can utilize the app to chat with peers and quickly connect with Congressional staff as part of after action follow-up.

“Perfecting Your Pitch” Advocacy Day Simulation for Capitol Hill Success:

Get ready to sharpen your advocacy skills with our interactive “Advocacy Day” simulation. In this hands-on session, participants will break into small groups with current and former Capitol Hill staffers to simulate a Congressional meeting and practice pitching your organization and NHA’s legislative priorities. This is your chance to refine your pitch, receive valuable feedback, and build confidence before the big day. This not-to-miss session will take place the day before Advocacy Day, so that everything you learn and practice has time to sink in.

Capitol Hill Reception

After a busy day of meetings with legislators and their staff, NHA scheduled a post-Advocacy Day reception, which is a great opportunity to unwind while connecting with Congressional staff.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about NHA’s Advocacy Day, please visit this page. I can’t wait to see you there!