Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP)

Expanding Influence


Challenge

Despite a wealth of industry expertise and a vast global network, the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) was not focusing efforts on policy influence in Washington, DC. SMRP did not have a government relations strategy, and developing one was necessary to build relationships and represent the interests of its 6,500 maintenance, reliability, and physical asset management professionals. SMRP enlisted Kellen to strengthen federal policy impact and advance legislation supporting its key priorities: cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, workplace safety, and workforce development.

Solution

Kellen worked alongside SMRP’s volunteer leadership to develop and execute a strategy focused on regulatory policy and federal legislation affecting its membership. To establish its public policy presence, Kellen attended meetings, briefings, and expositions on Capitol Hill which helped position SMRP as an industry leader. We created SMRP’s Speakers Bureau program to permit SMRP experts to participate and speak at industry events and regulatory meetings, as well as garner placements in trade publications and national media. Other tactics used to grow SMRP’s reputation and resource value on Capitol Hill included monitoring news and policy developments, executing an annual Lobby Day in Washington, DC, and developing the scope of work for SMRP-funded studies to further connect safety to the work of reliability professionals.


Results

  • SMRP is recognized as an expert on priority legislative issues that include career and technical education (CTE), infrastructure, cybersecurity, and workplace safety
  • Provided industry perspective and support for signing into law the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act through meetings with White House officials and key policy leaders
  • Solidified partnerships with key regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Joined DHS’s Stop.Think.Connect. campaign as a National Network Partner, participating in impactful initiatives that improve standards globally
  • Collaborated with key congressional offices to influence federal legislation and created relationships to continue the advancement of SMRP’s priority issues in federal legislation

Media Coverage




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