The leading voice for excellence in public finance
The leading voice for excellence in public finance

Conferences & Education

2022 Legislative Conference

Join the Conversation #NAST2022

Join us in Washington, DC for the NAST Legislative Conference!

New Dates - March 13-15, 2022

Conference Schedule 

Registration is now open for NAST’s Legislative Conference in Washington, DC at the historic Watergate Hotel. All events will take place at the hotel unless otherwise noted. All conference events are business casual. The agenda includes in-depth panels, discussion groups, and expert keynote speakers. Events are open to all attendees unless otherwise noted. Agenda is subject to modification.

Health and Safety Notice
NAST is considering the health and safety of all conference attendees and staff during the 2022 Legislative Conference. NAST will follow the CDC’s COVID guidelines and DC COVID Guidelines. Those current guidelines no longer require vaccinations or face masks to participate in the Legislative Conference. NAST encourages participants to take the precautions they wish when attending all activities occurring at the conference, including being vaccinated and wearing face masks. Face masks and hand sanitizer will be readily available to all attendees. If the DC COVID Guidelines change before the start of the conference, we will communicate directly with attendees.


 Check out the NAST Legislative Conference agenda here

Sunday, March 13

Registration opens at 1:00 PM
2:00-3:00 PM Banking Committee Meeting
3:00-4:00 PM CSPN Federal Initiatives Committee Meeting
3:15-3:45 PM Foundation Board Meeting
4:00-5:00 PM NAST Executive Committee Meeting

5:30-6:00 PM New Member Welcome Reception (Invitation Only)
6:00-7:30 PM Welcome Reception at the Watergate Hotel — Hear from the hotel historian (a.k.a. the head doorman) and see the famous room 214!

Monday, March 14

7:30-8:45 AM Networking Breakfast
8:45-9:00 AM Welcome from Treasurer Shawn Wooden (CT), NAST President

9:00-10:00 AM Infrastructure and Investment – The Role of State Treasuries in the Build Back Better and Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts
Kick off the conference with an in-depth discussion of the Federal Government’s investments in infrastructure and jobs, and the role of Treasurers’ offices in distributing funds. From inception to fruition, hear from experts on the long-term plans that must be implemented.
Moderator: Treasurer Josh Haeder (SD), NAST Senior Vice President
Panelists: Trey McKenzie, Executive Director of Government Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce
Matthew E. Neuringer, Partner, Orrick

10:15-11:15 AM The Future of Retirement – Secure 2.0/RISE Act
Congress aims to build upon recent efforts to address the looming retirement crisis. This session provides an opportunity to discuss the bipartisan efforts to create greater opportunities for Americans to save for their retirements and the potential obligations of employers and states in those efforts.
Moderator: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg (MA)
Panelists: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Secretary’s Representative for Pensions and Retirement at the US Department of Labor
Congressman John Larson (CT), Chair, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee
Lynden Lyman, Executive Consultant, Kelmar Associates
Anthony Roda, Principal, Williams and Jensen

11:30-12:30 PM 529/ABLE Plans – Growth and Expansion
Engage with key Congressional staffers on ABLE and college savings programs. Ask questions about the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, the Saving to Achieve a Better Life Experience Act, and other legislation that Congress is considering to improve these plans.
Moderator: Treasurer Fiona Ma (CA)
Panelists:
 Kathryn Chakmak, Legislative Assistant, Tax Policy Advisor, Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO)
Kristin Flukey, Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Michael Gamel-McCormick, Disability Policy Director for Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)

12:30-1:45 PM Networking Lunch

2:00-4:00 PM ABLE Committee Meeting
2:00-3:00 PM Treasury Savings Bond Update

Topical Breakout Sessions
2:00-2:30 PM
1. Lobbying 101
2. Updates from State Retirement Savings Programs
3. The Great Resignation and Covid: Impact on Public Sector Employment and How Employers Can Help
2:45-3:15 PM
1. Learn about NAST’s new FinWell Digital Platform
2. Updates from State Retirement Savings Programs
3. The Great Resignation and Covid: Impact on Public Sector Employment and How Employers Can Help

3:30-4:30 PM Corporate Affiliate Board Meeting
4:00-5:00 PM Deputy Treasurer/Chief of Staff Caucus Meeting

6:00-8:30 PM Evening Reception at the Anderson House, a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1905, this fifty-room mansion is now home to the Society of Cincinnati, the nation’s oldest patriotic organization.

Tuesday, March 15

7:30-8:45 AM Networking Brunch

8:45-9:00 AM Keynote Address
Dini Ajmani, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the office of Capital Markets of the Treasury

9:00-9:55 AM SAFE Banking – Bringing the Cannabis Industry into Mainstream Banking
For this session, leaders of the cannabis banking issue will discuss and answer questions on the history, challenges, and prospects for SAFE banking laws that would allow legal cannabis businesses into the mainstream banking system.
Moderator: Treasurer Dave Young (CO)
Panelists: Colin Anonsen, Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO)
Sabrina Bergen, Senior Vice President of the Office of Strategic Engagement, American Bankers Association
Jim Esquea, Vice President Public Affairs, Scotts Miracle-Gro

10:05-10:50 AM Electoral Debate
Attendees will hear a spirited debate from both sides of the aisle on the state of mid-term elections.
Moderator: Treasurer Shawn Wooden (CT), NAST President
Panelists: Tyler Foote, Vice President, Creative Direct
Matt Hogan, Partner at Impact Research

11:00-11:30 AM Keynote Address
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Chairman of House Democratic Caucus

11:30-11:50 AM Keynote Address
Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the Biden Administration, responsible for coordination and implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Conference programming will end at 12 noon. We encourage you to schedule Hill and Administration appointments in the afternoon. (Please schedule your meetings ahead of time since each office has their own COVID protocols.)

Conference Hotel

The Watergate Hotel

Join us for NAST’s Legislative Conference at the historic Watergate Hotel located at 2650 Virginia Ave NW. The hotel is three blocks away from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro stop on the blue, orange and silver lines and is a 15 minute cab ride from Washington National Airport. All events will take place at the hotel unless otherwise noted.

Rooms are available for $249/night and can reserved here.

Attendees can also reserve rooms by either calling the group coordinator desk at 202.838.4493 or sending an email and asking for the NAST room block. Rooms are available at these rates until February 28, 2022. For assistance, please contact us.

Registration and Ticket Information 

Member Type
Early Bird (Dec 14–Jan 31)
Regular (Feb 1–Mar 4)
Onsite (March 5–15)
Treasurers, Staff, and Networks
$675
$825
$925
Other Gov’t and Nonprofit
$960
$1,110
$1,210
Corporate Affiliate
$1,520
$1,670
$1,770
Private Sector Non-Member
$3,040
$3,190
$3,290
Guest Type
Full Conference (All Meals)
Both Evening Events
Sunday Reception
Monday Dinner
Guest (Family/Non-Business)
$450
$250
$100
$150

Conference Sponsors 

NAST would like to thank our 2022 Legislative Conference sponsors:

Would you like to become a conference sponsor?