Last April 4th, the Catapulte team organized a day of meetings at the National Assembly for Edteq, an association bringing together nearly a hundred companies and non-profit organizations in educational technology, an event also known as a « lobby day. » This delegation, made up of 12 Edteq members and board directors, walked the halls of the National Assembly to meet with representatives from the government and the opposition parties.
Why organize a lobby day?
Very popular in the United States and more broadly in the English-speaking world, lobby days make it possible to build valuable connections with elected officials, their political staff, and, in the process, to get a few key messages across. In the practice of government relations, there are many opportunities to make contact with elected officials. For some organizations, a lobby day is sometimes a way to get started, and other times a way to consolidate established relationships. In Edteq’s case, the organization needed to raise its profile among the elected officials responsible for files related to its mission, to showcase the dynamism of its sector and, above all, to demonstrate its relevance in the recent debates surrounding digital technology in schools. The bridges have been built; now it is a matter of maintaining them.
Is this right for my organization?
Some ministers in the current government, as well as several members of the National Assembly, are only in their first term and often find themselves overwhelmed by requests from various groups in society. In this context, it can seem daunting to build connections with political actors and position your issues with them, especially when those issues are not prominent in the media. Organizing such a day of meetings puts your topics on the agenda and gives elected officials and political staff a somewhat unique opportunity to meet your organization and absorb the information you provide them. But again, it all depends on your subject matter, your objectives, and how the government and opposition have received your messages so far. A sound government relations strategy must be tailored to your needs. If you need help, you know who to call.
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