SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Legislators are discussing proposed legislation on ATM issues without participation from the ATM industry, says the ATM Industry Association, and it's a problem the international association expects to address.
"We have this great wealth of knowledge in our membership and need to use it," said Lana Harmelink, ATMIA's international director of operations.
For the last three years, ATMIA has been watching legislative proposals with concern, Harmelink said, because the profession tasked with compliance had little or no input in the process.
To address the issue and work more closely with legislators, ATMIA founded the Government Relations Committee. As the so-called "voice of the industry," the committee is charged with staying abreast of proposed and pending legislation that pertains to the ATM industry.
To that end, the GRC is incorporating a grassroots effort to complement lobbying initiatives and engage global participation from ATMIA's membership.
"A constituent is worth 10 lobbyists," Harmelink said.
To encourage discussion and involvement, ATMIA has pulled leaders from all corners of the industry to speak Feb. 20-23 during its annual Conference East in Orlando, Fla. The discussion, "Government Affairs: How to Get Involved and Make a Difference for your Industry," will take place during a general panel session about the GRC's accomplishments and agenda for 2007.
For more information, visit the conference Web site.
