By: Jacque Taylor

As of February 18, 2010, there are 52 registered for the Advocacy Summit to be held March 23 through 25, 2010, in Washington DC. Registration is at approximately the same point as was in 2009, and we eventually registered approximately 75; however, we are hoping with the help of MTIA partners that we will be able to reach the 100 registrant mark this year!

To help in the registration process, AHDI is offering the “deal of the month” of $15 off registration for this event. The “Early Bird” registration has ended, but the $15 discount will certainly help! If you are planning to attend Advocacy Day, it is urged that you register as soon as possible. Our Advocacy partners, Dewey Square Group, are helping us with appointments this year and in order for them to get the appointments set up in plenty of time, they need to know where we are all coming from and who we need to see. Please go to the AHDI site’s Advocacy Summit page and register as soon as possible!

This year’s official Advocacy Summit Hotel will be The Marriott Crystal City. It is located directly above a metro stop and a short ride from the capital building, making it an extremely convenient location for travel to and from Capitol Hill. The special room rate for the Summit attendees will be single and double occupancy rooms for $175 per night. Triple occupancy rooms will be $195 per night and quadruple occupancy rooms will be $215 per evening. Please keep these rates in mind while filling your room. Please remember that these special group rates expire on Monday, March 1, 2010, so if there is even the slightest chance you will be going, please make your reservations now. If you would like to save some expense and need to find a roommate (or roommates), please contact Miranda Youkhaneh of our awesome AHDI staff at will take care of this for you. A great way to network with your peers and make new friends!

Please also check out the 2010 Advocacy Summit User’s Guide by clicking here. The guide provides you with valuable travel information, a list of what to bring with you to Capitol Hill, tips for talking with legislators, and maps of the Washington, DC subway system and Capitol Hill. Business casual dress is encouraged and please wear your most comfortable shoes. Unless you can walk a 5k in heels, you will not be comfortable in anything less than a good pair of flat walking shoes! Appointments will be spread out and some can be at least a half hour away from each other, even walking at a fast pace!

Just in case you cannot be there in person at the Summit, there is still a great way to participate, right from your own home! Letter writing is a great way to be involved and support fellow members who will be on Capitol Hill. With the all the technological and regulatory changes facing the health IT sector in general and medical transcription in particular, it is particularly important this year that as many members as possible support our advocacy efforts to secure a viable and successful future for healthcare documentation professionals and medical transcription companies. Please click here for letter-writing instructions and a model letter.

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Advocacy Summit this year!!! Let’s make this year our best year ever!

  Advocacy Day letter-writing instructions (39.0 KiB)