Minnesota State Broadband Advocacy Tip: Talk to Staff
Relationships with staffers can be helpful when engaging government officials, experts said.
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Relationships with staffers can be helpful when engaging government officials, experts said.
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2024 – Experts at WISPAPALOOZA had some advice for broadband providers looking to engage their state officials: talk to staff, and do it often.
“Don’t get disheartened and think staff-level [meetings] don’t also matter if you can’t get to the top,” said Bree Maki, director of Minnesota’s broadband office said Wednesday. “Elected officials have to know a little about a lot, but their staff people are really in the weeds every day. Make sure you are kind to them and always sharing information with them.”
Greg Guice, chief policy officer at Vernonburg Group, said having staff aware of what a company is proposing or asking for – even if they don’t agree with all of it – can be helpful in that an elected or agency official is able to ask them questions and get information.
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