DAYTON, Ohio - The Dayton Development Coalition will host the 37th Community Leader Washington Fly-In Sept. 21 through Sept. 23 in Washington, DC. 

“Every day, we see the impact of the federal government on the Dayton Region, and an in-person Fly-In is a critical way for our community to support the important national defense work at Wright-Patterson AFB to the care of our veterans at the Dayton VA Medical Center,” said Jeff Hoagland, President and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition. “We take great pride in how business, government, academia, and the non-profit sector come together to support our region and ‘speak with one voice.’ When 150 community leaders converge on Washington, it sends a powerful message.”

This annual event gives leaders from the Dayton Region an opportunity to learn about the federal government, speak to elected officials, and show support for our federal installations. In 2020, the DDC hosted a Virtual Community Leader Fly-In due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

The event will start with a welcome reception Tuesday night. Community leaders plan to meet with the Dayton Region’s Congressional Delegation and their staffs at a Wednesday evening reception, along with government and business leaders with a special interest in Ohio. Members of the Delegation will be invited to speak to the group Thursday morning. Wednesday’s keynote speakers and sessions have not yet been finalized. The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center near Thomas Circle in downtown Washington is the host hotel. 

“The Fly-In is an important part of the Coalition’s advocacy program to look after our federal jobs and installations, which generate more than $16 billion in regional economic impact,” said Michael Gessel, Vice President of Federal Government Programs for the Dayton Development Coalition. “The decisions made here in Washington have a tremendous effect on the economic future of the Dayton Region.”

Registration will open in the coming weeks. More information about the Fly-In can be found here. 

More than 34,000 jobs in the Dayton Region are located on three federal facilities: Wright-Patt, Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Springfield Air National Guard Base. Community leaders use the Fly-In to formally deliver to the Congressional delegation our regional funding priorities and discuss community issues. 

*** PLEASE NOTE: A safe and healthy environment will be a top priority for all attendees at this in-person event. While standard of care for large gatherings is evolving, the DDC will follow applicable mandates from the State of Ohio and the District of Columbia, as well as federal guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ***