Several groups press forward with D.C. events despite government closures due to budget impasse

The government may have shut down, lawmakers may have other things on their minds, but for associations that had planned member events in Washington, D.C., this week, there is no turning back.

At least six associations had Capitol Hill fly-ins or other events scheduled for the first few days of October. No events were cancelled as of Tuesday afternoon, but at least one had a venue change.

The American Iron and Steel Institute and the National Steel Bridge Alliance had planned to celebrate "Steel Day" Wednesday with a public event and student steel bridge display in the Rayburn House Office Building. But the government closure forced a change of plans. The event was relocated to AISI's offices on Massachusetts Avenue.

"Catering and event crews [on Capitol Hill] were not available during the shutdown," said Lisa Harrison, senior vice president for communications for AISI.

Another issue: Only one entrance to the Rayburn building was open during the shutdown, which could have been a headache for students bringing their bulky bridge projects.

Despite the shift in venue, the two lawmakers who co-chair the House Steel Caucus—Reps. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) and Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.)—were still scheduled to attend the event.

The National Retail Federation was planning to bring in several chain restaurant CEOs on Wednesday for a two-day policy summit in D.C. A spokesman said nothing had changed as of Tuesday, but the group was reviewing the logistics of the event given the government closures.

The Security Traders Association also was planning for the show to go on, with a four-day conference scheduled to kick off Wednesday.

"Despite the impasse issues in Washington, the STA Conference is on as scheduled. We look forward to seeing you," the group said on Twitter.

Summit awards

The shutdown will not effect ASAE's annual Summit Awards dinner, held Tuesday evening at the National Building Museum, according to ASAE spokeswoman Sabrina Kidwai.

The Building Museum is a private nonprofit institution, unaffiliated with the Smithsonian. It is keeping regular business hours during the shutdown, and offering free admission (adult admission is usually $8) for federal employees with ID. Catering for the dinner is by outside vendors, Kidwai said.

The Summit Awards are given to associations that operate especially innovative programs. The six winners for 2013 are American Society of Hematology; Central Arizona Dental Society; Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.; Edison Electric Institute; National Safe Boating Council; and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.