Nearly 40 direct selling executives gathered at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for Direct Selling Day on the Hill, Sept. 12, to meet with members of Congress and discuss the importance of small businesses on the U.S. economy. Eight executive teams were coupled with DSA legal and support staff to meet with 44 Congressional offices and 11 Senate offices. The day’s events also served as an opportunity for executives to reach out to the members of government to share how direct selling empowers men and women to achieve personal and professional goals in their lives while bringing that encouragement to others to do the same.
Further conversations centered on matters that directly impacted direct sellers—independent contractor status, Department of Labor regulations, worker’s compensation and Internet tax laws, to name a few. The significance of the conversations was great as the direct selling industry is represented by almost 16 million independent contractors generating $29 billion in annual revenues.
An ice cream social ended the day as a formal gathering to honor Representative Pete Sessions (R-Texas) as the DSA recipient of the Champion of Free Enterprise award. The award recognized him for his continued commitment to and support of policies that protected the interests of millions of independent representatives in the industry.
Rep. Sessions’ remarks upon receiving the award reflected his long-held belief in the direct selling opportunity, the positive impact on the U.S. economy and the dreams fulfilled.
The DSA also held its Second Annual Women’s Leadership Retreat in conjunction with Direct Selling Day. More than 20 women business owners and top-level executives within the direct selling industry were invited to Washington to network and share their experiences with elected officials as well as offer a unique perspective to the policy discussions not only as women but as leaders within the industry.
 Joseph Mariano, President of the U.S. DSA, and Brett Chapman, Herbalife’s General Counsel and the current Chairman of the DSA, honor Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) as the DSA recipient of the Champion of Free Enterprise award. |
 Executives from Texas who participated in DSA’s Direct Selling Day on the Hill gather with Sessions after he accepted the award. |
 More than 20 women CEOs and top company leaders participated in DSA’s second Women’s Leadership Retreat. |
Photos courtesy of Karen E. T. Garrett, Direct Selling Association.
