We have been having a debate at my company in the last couple weeks. A couple people want to invite our State and Federal Representatives out to the company for a meet and greet. We are on first name basis with the city and county officals and the president of the company is on the Board of the regional economic development council. Our company is an electronics firm specializing electric vehicles in a very economically depressed (even before the recession) rural area. We are one of the largests manufacturing employers in the county.
The people for the invites believe it is a good way to network, get out what our company does in the area and maybe help us land some money or contracts. The people against the invites do not think anything will come of it and will be a waste our and the elected officals time.
I am on the fence on the subject and I can see both sides, as one of the remaining swing votes I felt I should ask people's opinion on this.
I think it is a great idea to invite State and Federal Representatives out to the company, for two reasons:
1. You seem to be actively involved in manufacturing energy saving / gasoline independent vehicles; and
2. You are providing employment to a very large number of people.
In fact, i would suggest that you turn the event into a show, where you can show off all your models, prototypes, and set up small stalls/booths for your engineers to give a presentation about the various technological advantages you bring to the community. I would then invite Fed, State representatives, and the most prominent businessmen and personalities of the state, and region.
Wish you all the best.
gjosephus | Contributor | 9/1/2009 - 3:32 pm
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