Why I’m Headed to DC—and You Should Be Too: A NAMA Series

NAMA Fly-In Event By Vending Pro Linda Saldaña

Image Source: Created by Vending Connection

If you’re anything like I was when I started in this industry, you’re the person who does it all. You fix the machine. You stock the coffee. You answer the late-night calls when the client has an issue. You’re the engine behind your business—and most days, you barely have time to eat lunch, let alone think about federal policy.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned after 14 years in this industry: The biggest threats to our businesses don’t always come from broken machines. They come from decisions made in rooms we’re not in—on tax policies, small business regulations, and rules that impact how we hire, what we can deduct, and how we grow.

I remember the first time I went to the NAMA Fly-In for advocacy. Honestly? I was nervous. Walking into a Congressional office felt intimidating. I had all these doubts swirling in my head: Am I prepared? What if I say the wrong thing? I’m not a lobbyist—I’m a business owner who built a career one cup of coffee at a time. I sell joy, convenience, and trust. So what could I possibly bring to the table?

But that first conversation changed everything.

I realized that lawmakers and their staff weren’t looking for perfection. They were looking for people like us—people who live the impact of their decisions every day. I spoke from my heart about what it’s like to manage rising costs, grow a team, and serve communities in our own way by bringing joy to the workplace. Things I say in nearly every sale or client call every day. And they listened. I walked out of that room standing taller, knowing I’d helped put our industry on their radar.

Now, as the Co-Founder and CEO of Seventh Wave Refreshments, I see advocacy as part of doing business. It’s not about knowing all the answers—it’s about showing up with our story. The NAMA team in DC can open doors, but we have to walk through them.

This June, I’m going back to Washington, D.C., for the 2025 NAMA Fly-In & Advocacy Summit. And if you’ve ever thought, “I’m not the type to do something like that,” I want to tell you: you are exactly the type.

Because the most powerful voice in the room isn’t a lobbyist—it’s yours.

You’ll be prepped and supported every step of the way. Before hitting the Hill, you’ll join policy briefings and connect with fellow operators. And after a full day of meetings, you’ll leave not just more informed—but more inspired. I sure did. I went from nervous first-timer to passionate advocate, and I’ll never miss another Fly-In if I can help it!

And beyond the meetings, the Fly-In is about connection. You’ll meet industry leaders from across the country who’ve been where you are, who are building something from scratch, who’ve made the same tough calls. Some of the most valuable relationships I’ve built started in those DC hallways and over dinner after long days on the Hill.

In a world where so much happens virtually, showing up in person still matters. It changes minds. It builds relationships. It moves the needle.