CHICAGO – March 30, 2017 – The Texas Merchandise Vending Association (TMVA) hosted its fourth biennial Lobby Day recently at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

TMVA legislative consultant Mario Munoz coordinated the event, which was attended by 28 TMVA members, both suppliers and operators, and NAMA Senior Director of Government Affairs, Sandy Larson. This was the largest turnout yet for a TMVA lobby day. Several TMVA members met prior to the event to prepare snack boxes to be distributed 181 legislators in the Texas State House and Senate.

The event was focused on educating lawmakers on the convenience services industry. The day began with a breakfast for legislators and their staff hosted by TMVA. TMVA members then visited with their representatives and delivered the snack boxes throughout the Capitol.

"TMVA members were able to speak directly with key legislators in Austin about their opposition to a bill that would restrict vending on state property and a sugar-sweetened beverage bill; both bills would have a negative impact on the industry,” said TMVA Legislative Consultant Mario Munoz. “They also discussed the franchise tax laws which are currently the subject of a number of pending bills. Our members were able to stress the positive impact the reduction or elimination of this tax would have on TMVA businesses,” he concluded.

Additionally, the group used this opportunity to educate lawmakers on NAMA’s FitPick nutrition initiative and the industry’s commitment to educating consumers about better-for-you choices.

“Our Legislative day was a huge success for TMVA and the convenience services industry in Texas. The event was very well received by the legislators and their staff,” said TMVA President Charley Nelms. “The robust participation we had this year demonstrated our members’ understanding of the importance of advocacy at the state level. This event gave our members an opportunity to talk with their representatives about our industry and to stress to them that companies in TMVA are primarily family-owned and operated. Our members were able to discuss the jobs provided by TMVA members and the citizens of Texas that we serve.”

“The Legislative Day was an excellent opportunity for TMVA members to educate and interact with their legislators,” said Sandy Larson, NAMA Senior Director of Government Affairs. “The number of TMVA members that attended mirrors the increased commitment to advocacy that we are seeing at the national level with the NAMA Fly-In. TMVA and NAMA members are really seeing the benefit of being involved in advocacy and getting to know their lawmakers in Austin and Washington, DC.”