Aire Serv owners and corporate executives lobbied on Capitol Hill for small business owners during the International Franchise Association’s 9th Annual Franchise Appreciation Day on Sept. 16.
“Franchise Appreciation Day was an excellent way to bring small business concerns straight to our lawmakers,” said Dave Samuel, owner of the Aire Serv of SW Missouri franchise. “Franchising is responsible for 21 million jobs and $2.3 trillion of private-sector economic output. We have a great impact on the economy, so it was great to be able to have our voices heard.”
Along with nearly 500 other business owners and franchising executives, including 12 Aire Serv franchise owners; Doyle James, president of Aire Serv Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.; and Chris Elmore, vice president of operations for Aire Serv Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.; met with the staff of the congressmen and senators from their respective states, discussing issues that impact small businesses such as small-business health plans, immigration reform, business activity taxes and wages.