Begala, Castellanos to address NRA political conference

Political consultants Paul Begala and Alex Castellanos are among the speakers at the National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference.

Castellanos and Begala

The conference, set for April 17 and 18, draws more than 500 restaurateurs to Washington, D.C. Historically, Louisiana has a solid showing with nearly 35 LRA members and restaurateurs making the trip. Over the two-day event, attendees meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and hear from policy experts on issues that affect the restaurant industry.

 

Begala, a political analyst for CNN, was a counselor to President Clinton. At the White House, he helped define the Administration’s agenda on economic, domestic and international issues. He has advised political campaigns throughout the country and around the world, including Europe, Latin America, the

Caribbean and Africa. At CNN, he is part of the political team that won an Emmy for its coverage of the 2006 elections and a Peabody Award for its coverage of the 2008 presidential election. He also is a columnist for Newsweek and The Daily Beast.

 

Castellanos is one of the Republican Party’s best-known and most successful media consultants and strategists. He was a media consultant to seven U.S Presidential campaigns and helped elect nine U.S. senators and six governors. He has more than 20 years of political consulting experience in the United States and abroad, including campaign strategy, public opinion research and communications experience.

 

The theme of this year’s Public Affairs Conference is “Carry the Message – America Works Here.” It is related to the NRA’s ongoing campaign to promote the restaurant industry as a leading job creator. The America Works Here slogan references the industry’s workforce, diversity and opportunity, as well as an integral part of Americans’ daily lives.

 

While on Capitol Hill, attendees will share first-hand experiences with members of Congress and key staffers. They are expected to articulate the need for pro-growth policies, including tax and immigration reform, as well as reforms to the 2010 health care law.

 

The Public Affairs Conference also features a Restaurant Industry Awards gala, where winners of the Faces of Diversity and Restaurant Neighbor awards will be honored.

 

Register to attend the NRA Public Affairs Conference here.