The ABC Legislative Conference, happening June 8–10 in Washington, D.C., represents the single highest-leverage advocacy moment of the year for merit shop contractors operating in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. With registration now open at legislative.abc.org, ABC Ohio Valley members have a direct path to Capitol Hill—and a regional leader already at the national table.

Key Takeaways

• June 8–10, 2026 in Washington, D.C. is the highest-impact advocacy window of the year for merit shop contractors, with ABC Ohio Valley directly represented in national PAC strategy.
• Justin Conger, President & CEO of Conger Construction Group in Lebanon, Ohio, serves on the ABC National PAC Committee, giving local members a direct voice in how PAC resources are deployed and which races matter most.
• The ABC PAC VIP Reception (5:00–5:30 p.m.) and ABC PAC Reception (5:30–7:30 p.m.) on Wednesday, June 10, at the Capitol Hill Club are critical networking moments with Congress and federal regulators.
• ABC PAC engagement has produced concrete wins: pushback on the Biden PLA mandate, Executive Order 14173 on merit-based opportunity, and federal infrastructure dollars flowing into Intel Ohio and regional highway projects.
• Two essential action paths for busy executives: attend the legislative conference via legislative.abc.org with chapter-coordinated travel, or support the effort from home through ABC PAC contributions, the ABC Action App, and Free Enterprise Alliance tools.

Why 2026 Is a Breakout Moment for ABC Ohio Valley

For merit shop contractors in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, 2026 is not a year to sit on the sidelines. Federal rules now directly shape labor costs, bid competitiveness, and project pipelines across the region. The 2026 ABC Legislative Conference converges with major federal actions on project labor agreements, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage interpretations, immigration enforcement, and infrastructure funding. These are not abstract policy debates—they determine whether your firm can compete profitably on federal and federally assisted work in Cincinnati, Dayton, Lebanon, and Northern Kentucky. This is operational risk management. Conference engagement can influence the regulatory environment governing public work across the Ohio Valley. Firms that engage now will be better positioned to win work on infrastructure, industrial, and semiconductor-related projects than competitors who skip the policy conversation. The date matters: June 8–10 puts you in Washington at a pivotal moment when committee assignments are set, and legislative priorities are being locked in for the next cycle.

Local Leadership at the National Table: Justin Conger and ABC PAC Strategy

ABC Ohio Valley isn’t watching national advocacy from the outside. Justin Conger, President & CEO of Conger Construction Group in Lebanon, Ohio, serves on the ABC National PAC Committee—the body that shapes where PAC resources go and which races get prioritized. Having a regional leader at this table means Ohio Valley priorities are heard when ABC decides:

• Which congressional races to target
• How to allocate PAC investments across House and Senate campaigns
• How to message merit shop issues to federal candidates

This representation creates a clear conduit for chapter members. Feedback from contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky can flow through ABC Ohio Valley and Conger directly into national PAC planning. Concrete examples of local input shaping strategy:

• Focus on the Ohio and Kentucky federal delegations, who sit on the Transportation & Infrastructure and Environment & Public Works committees
• Intel Ohio corridor concerns, including the $20+ billion semiconductor campus and the surrounding construction pipeline
• Ohio River bridge upgrades, I-75 corridor expansions, and lock infrastructure that directly affects regional backlogs

ABC Ohio Valley members aren’t passive observers. You’re insiders with leverage—if you use it.

ABC PAC March Madness: From Competition to Real Policy Impact

Earlier this year, ABC chapters nationwide turned PAC fundraising into a high-energy competition. The ABC PAC March Madness campaign raised more than $250,000 in a single compressed window, powered by chapter-versus-chapter leaderboards, tiered recognition, and peer challenges. This wasn’t just executives writing checks. The campaign drew in project managers, operations leaders, safety directors, and field supervisors—thousands of donors collectively signaling that merit shop construction has the financial muscle to back its policy priorities. Those dollars convert directly into strategic support for merit shop champions in Congress. PAC resources help protect seats on House and Senate committees that oversee:

• Labor policy and Davis-Bacon enforcement
• Infrastructure appropriations and IIJA implementation
• Federal procurement rules affecting PLAs and open competition

The March Madness momentum carries into 2026. The Legislative Conference and PAC events are the natural next step—turning fundraising energy into face-to-face advocacy that reinforces the message.

Inside the ABC Legislative Conference 2026: June 8–10 in Washington, D.C.

Registration is now open at legislative.abc.org for the ABC Legislative Conference, scheduled for June 8–10, 2026, in Washington, D.C. ABC Ohio Valley is organizing a chapter delegation—don’t miss the opportunity to travel with peers who know the regional stakes. What a typical attendee schedule looks like:

Day	Focus
Day 1	Opening briefings on the federal policy landscape, legal updates
Day 2	Targeted breakout sessions, advocacy training, and strategy alignment
Day 3	Structured Capitol Hill visits with House and Senate offices

Attendees hear from top political and policy experts on current developments affecting federal construction, energy, and infrastructure spending, workforce regulations, and procurement practices. Chapter-coordinated travel: ABC Ohio Valley members travel together whenever possible. This maximizes visibility and credibility on the Hill—congressional offices notice when a unified regional delegation arrives with consistent messaging and local project data. Think of this as a practical field guide, not a generic event promo. You’ll leave Washington with direct relationships, actionable intelligence, and a clearer picture of what’s coming down the regulatory pipeline.

Why Face-to-Face Hill Engagement Still Matters in a Digital Era

Email campaigns and digital advocacy tools are powerful. The ABC Action App can generate thousands of constituent messages in a single day. But digital volume cannot fully replace being in the room with congressional staff and members. In-person meetings on Capitol Hill allow Ohio Valley contractors to present real project stories, workforce challenges, and bid data to policymakers. When a House staffer hears directly from a Cincinnati subcontractor about how PLA mandates affected a recent bid, that shapes how they think about the next amendment or oversight hearing. The key difference:

• Digital advocacy produces volume and speed
• Face-to-face meetings produce depth, nuance, and trust

When federal offices recognize ABC Ohio Valley leaders by name, follow-up calls and digital alerts carry more weight throughout the year. One day of meetings can influence rules and statutes that govern thousands of work hours and millions of dollars in regional construction volume. Travel to Washington is a strategic investment with measurable returns.

Key Federal Issues on the Table for Merit Shop Contractors

The 2026 conference agenda and Hill meetings are organized around concrete federal issues with immediate bottom-line impact for Ohio Valley firms.

Project Labor Agreement Opposition

Federal PLA mandates on large projects limit competition and complicate bidding for merit shop contractors. The Biden-era mandate covering projects over $35 million remains a target for legislative pushback. ABC-supported bills aim to restore open competition on federal and federally assisted work.

Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Updates

New Department of Labor interpretations and enforcement priorities can change labor cost assumptions and payroll compliance burdens on public work. Recent proposals expand coverage to more subcontractors—heightening risk for firms that haven’t updated their compliance processes.

E-Verify and Immigration Policy

Changes to employment eligibility enforcement affect access to the legal workforce, subcontractor compliance expectations, and risk exposure on federal sites. ABC advocates mandatory nationwide E-Verify to level the playing field and reduce audit exposure.

Infrastructure and Semiconductor Spending

Project Category	Ohio Valley Impact
Intel Ohio fab complex	$10B+ ancillary construction through 2028
IIJA highway/bridge allocations	$5.2B to Ohio/Kentucky, including Brent Spence companion bridge
Permitting reform	REPAIR Act cutting NEPA reviews from 4.5 years to under 2

These funding flows directly feed the Ohio Valley backlogs. Policy decisions made in Washington determine whether merit shop firms capture that work or watch it flow to competitors operating under different rules. Every issue ties back to tangible outcomes: bid competitiveness, margin protection, workforce planning, and growth capacity in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Signature ABC PAC Events at the Capitol Hill Club – June 10, 2026

Wednesday, June 10, 2026, is the focal point for ABC PAC engagement during conference week. Both signature events take place at the historic Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C. ABC PAC VIP Reception | 5:00–5:30 p.m. An intimate, invitation-limited gathering where major PAC investors, ABC national leaders, and select members of Congress interact in a high-level setting. This is where relationships are built that last beyond a single election cycle. ABC PAC Reception | 5:30–7:30 p.m. The largest ABC PAC event of the year. Hundreds of merit shop leaders from across the country—including a strong Ohio Valley contingent—network with federal lawmakers, senior committee staff, and top ABC executives in a single evening. For ABC Ohio Valley members, these receptions concentrate networking opportunities that would otherwise require dozens of separate meetings. You can put Ohio Valley priorities—Intel-related projects, Ohio River infrastructure, Kentucky industrial growth—directly in front of decision-makers. Attendance at these events is both a show of support for ABC PAC and a practical opportunity to build the relationships that matter when the next vote comes down.

From PAC Dollars to Concrete Policy Wins for the Ohio Valley

PAC contributions are not abstract. They help elect and sustain the lawmakers who make or block rules determining how Ohio Valley contractors compete. Recent wins and ongoing fights:

• Biden-era PLA mandate opposition: PAC-supported champions in Congress have introduced legislation and oversight that push back against blanket PLA requirements on major projects
• Executive Order 14173: This order promotes merit-based opportunity and reinforces open competition—a direct result of sustained ABC lobbying, including thousands of Hill visits
• Intel Ohio pipeline: Federal policy decisions on CHIPS Act implementation and supporting infrastructure affect whether merit shop firms capture the surrounding construction work

The connection extends to state-level advocacy. ABC of Ohio’s Merit Shop Scorecard grades legislators on construction-relevant votes. Federal wins often reinforce state reforms, creating a more predictable business climate for members operating in both arenas. Consistent PAC participation by firms in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky helps secure a policy environment in which you can hire, train, and bid based on merit—not political favoritism or mandated labor structures.

How ABC Ohio Valley Members Can Register and Travel Efficiently

Step one: Visit legislative.abc.org to register for the ABC Legislative Conference 2026 (June 8–10 in Washington, D.C.). Identify yourself as an ABC Ohio Valley member during registration. Chapter support includes:

• Recommended flights into Washington Reagan National (DCA)
• Preferred hotels near Capitol Hill and conference venues
• Coordinated schedules for Hill meetings and PAC events
• Pre-booked meetings with Ohio and Kentucky congressional delegations

Team composition recommendation: Send a small team covering multiple issue tracks—an executive, a project leader, and a safety or HR professional can speak credibly about labor, safety, and workforce concerns across different meetings. Timeline cues:

• Register early for the best rates and room blocks
• Communicate attendance to the chapter so Hill visits can be grouped
• Block June 8–10 on internal project schedules now

Planning tips for contractors:

1. Assign a point person for travel logistics
2. Prepare short company profiles to leave with congressional offices
3. Identify 2–3 project stories that illustrate policy impact
4. Coordinate with ABC Ohio Valley staff on meeting priorities

High-Impact Actions for Members Who Cannot Travel

Not every firm can send people to Washington in June. But every member in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky can still materially influence outcomes. Contribute to ABC PAC Align your giving with the national PAC strategy that leaders like Justin Conger help shape. Contributions through chapter channels and online tools directly support merit shop champions in Congress. Deploy the ABC Action App Download the app to respond quickly to legislative alerts, send targeted messages to Congress on priority issues, and track key votes affecting construction. Over 50,000 users send more than a million messages to Congress annually through this tool. Engage through Free Enterprise Alliance ABC’s grassroots and public education arm provides content you can share with employees, peers, and local stakeholders to build wider understanding of merit shop policy stakes. Practical checklist:

• Commit to a recurring PAC contribution (even $25/month adds up)
• Sign up for ABC alerts
• Deploy the ABC Action App across company leadership
• Designate an internal government affairs contact who stays plugged into ABC Ohio Valley updates

What This Means for Your Business in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky

This is about daily business realities: margins, backlog stability, workforce pipelines, and risk exposure on public and private work. High-cost mandates like PLAs and shifting wage rules directly reduce the number of bankable projects in the Ohio Valley and compress competitive space for merit shop firms. Slow permitting delays project starts and ties up capital. These aren’t theoretical concerns—they show up in your bid assumptions and your P&L. Active participation in the ABC Legislative Conference 2026 and ABC PAC activities functions like risk insurance on the policy front. Small investments now can prevent large, recurring compliance and labor cost burdens later. Treat advocacy as a line item in strategic planning. It belongs alongside safety programs and workforce development—not as an afterthought when something goes wrong. The rules being written now will define the competitive landscape for the next several bid cycles. Either be in Washington June 8–10 or double down on PAC and grassroots engagement from home. The date is set. Registration is open. Don’t miss this window.

FAQ

Who from ABC Ohio Valley is leading national PAC efforts I can connect with?

Justin Conger, President & CEO of Conger Construction Group in Lebanon, Ohio, serves on the ABC National PAC Committee and is a key point of contact for Ohio Valley members seeking to better understand national PAC priorities. Coordinate through the ABC Ohio Valley chapter office to share feedback, schedule conversations, and align local PAC engagement with national strategy.

What is the most efficient way for a busy executive to participate in the 2026 conference?

Block June 8–10, 2026 on your calendar, register at legislative.abc.org, and lean on ABC Ohio Valley staff for travel, lodging, and Hill meeting logistics to minimize planning time. Focus your participation: attend core policy briefings, prioritize Hill visits with home-district members of Congress, and be present at the June 10 ABC PAC VIP Reception and ABC PAC Reception at the Capitol Hill Club.

How much policy expertise do I need before meeting with congressional offices?

You don’t need to be a policy expert. ABC provides concise briefing materials and talking points on PLAs, Davis-Bacon, immigration, and infrastructure before meetings. Prepare two or three concrete projects or workforce stories from your own company—these are often more persuasive to lawmakers than technical legal arguments.

Can smaller subcontractors and suppliers really make a difference through ABC PAC?

Absolutely. PAC influence is built from many contributions, not just a few large checks. Smaller firms in the Ohio Valley region collectively send a powerful market signal when they participate. Engaged subcontractors and suppliers often have especially compelling stories about how federal rules affect bid opportunities, change orders, and workforce decisions—strengthening ABC’s overall advocacy narrative.

How do I ensure my team stays engaged after the conference ends?

Assign an internal point person for government affairs who will debrief the company after the trip, share ABC materials, and keep leadership aligned with follow-up actions requested by ABC Ohio Valley. Integrate ABC Action App alerts, PAC updates, and advocacy briefings into regular leadership or project management meetings so policy engagement becomes routine—not a once-a-year event.