For years, the North American Meat Association has held an annual Washington Conference, where attendees travel to Washington D.C. to meet with USDA officials as well as their Congressional representatives. Three years ago I decided that I would attend the trip. I had a hard time convincing my controller at the meat plant that this was necessary for business, but after many requests, I got approval to take four days off of work and attend the conference.
On day number one, after being briefed by Washington insiders we headed for the Hill. I had set meetings up with my two Senators and my House Representative for Colorado. I was nervous as I entered each office, my palms were sweating and my speech impaired. I think it was the history of the place combined with the formality of D.C., but I couldn’t express myself very well and I must have appeared as a total amateur.