Some trade groups are focusing more on lower profile events in Cleveland and Philadelphia; NAM will take its message to the voters

With just days to go until the start of the political conventions, some associations are ramping up their game while others are dialing it back a little or even steering clear of Cleveland and Philadelphia.

The mood of the conventions is decidedly less celebratory than in 2012, when establishment favorite Mitt Romney was nominated by Republicans in Tampa and President Barack Obama got the nod again in Charlotte.

Now, the list of high-profile politicians not attending the Republican convention in Cleveland July 18-21 grows every day, as presumptive nominee Donald Trump stirs new controversies with his speeches and tweets.

The National Association of Manufacturers, for one, is not sponsoring any events or receptions. In 2012, NAM partnered with Politico to host policy events, and CEO Jay Timmons blogged from both the Republican and Democratic conventions.

This time around: "The NAM is focused on taking the message of our pro-growth Competing to Win agenda straight to the manufacturing voters who will decide this election," a NAM spokesperson said in a statement. "We will not be formally participating in the conventions, but will continue to focus on ways to engage voters directly on the issues."

Timmons has blasted Trump for pledging to shred existing and pending trade agreements. "We need more exports—not less" Timmons tweeted on June 28.

Because associations want to appear bipartisan, they often plan similar events for both parties' conventions. Democrats will gather in Philadelphia July 25-28. While presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton has her share of controversy, most party leaders are solidly behind her.

Craig Purser, CEO of the National Association of Beer Wholesalers, said his group will focus on more targeted and strategic gatherings of people outside the main convention, rather than on large events.

"We will have a presence at both conventions, but our participation is a little bit more reflective of the political climate," Purser said.

Overall, event organizers say that there's been a hesitation to commit to events, with a lot of last-minute decisions being made on participating.

The Distilled Spirits Council—led by its new CEO Kraig Naasz— announced June 30 that Locust Street Group, a public affairs firm, and The Wall Street Journal would co-host its signature parties in both cities. Unlike in previous convention years, no big trade groups had signed on.

Since then, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has been confirmed as a co-host for the event in Philadelphia, and the Council reports that more co-sponsors are pending.

The National Retail Federation will focus much more on members of Congress at the Republican convention, and participate in some programs with House Speaker Paul Ryan, said David French, senior vice president for government relations.

French said there will be a higher-profile cocktail reception during the Democratic convention to celebrate women in retail. The opportunity came about because a Philadelphia-based member company snagged a premier venue.
"It's similar to what we did in 2012," French said. "Every convention has a different set of opportunities."

The U.S. Travel Association plans an advertising campaign, at the Cleveland airport and on Amtrak's Acela train out of Philadelphia, on the importance of travel to the economy and jobs, said Jonathan Grella, executive vice president of public affairs.

U.S. Travel will also sponsor a relax-and-recharge area at the Politico Hub in both cities. Grella did not think CEO Roger Dow would attend this year; the Democratic convention conflicts with the group's summer board meeting.
The Entertainment Software Association is one group that aims to do even more at the conventions than in 2012.

Director of Federal Government Affairs Nika Nour said planning started in January, before primaries began winnowing the Republican field. More than two dozen "various forms of engagement" are scheduled for Cleveland alone, from speaking to sponsoring opportunities, she said.

"We're where entertainment meets technology. We're there to showcase how innovation meets jobs," Nour said.

About a dozen people from member companies and ESA staff will be at the conventions, including CEO Mike Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Erik Huey and Nour. Three video game lounges (one more than in 2012) will mov among various locations.

ESA is one of eight tech associations collaborating in Innovation Nation events. These will feature "fireside chats" on the Republican innovation agenda July 20 (House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is invited) and Democratic innovation agenda July 27 (Sen. Chuck Schumer is invited). The schedule in both cities includes a response from an industry executive panel, a VIP reception and an invitation-only general reception.

Steve Anderson, CEO of NACDS, said five people from the group will be at the conventions, including himself. The trade association is co-sponsoring events such as panels and workshops on health policy issues, as well as entertainment. NACDS will be a co-host of the Distilled Spirits Council party in Philadelphia, and a similar type of event in Cleveland, he said.

Anderson said he appreciates the opportunity to gather insights and political intelligence, particularly for the down-ballot races.

"Because this has been such an interesting primary season we've gone through, and we've got two presumptive nominees who are both controversial in their own right, I think you need to be there," Anderson said.

"I wouldn't miss it. Being a political policy junkie, where else are you going to be?"