In November, NATO was proud to host our members in our nation’s capital so they could exercise one of the most fundamental rights of American democracy, petitioning the government for a redress of grievances. NATO members from across the United States gathered in Washington, DC for a fly-in to lobby Congress on key issues facing the industry: Tax depreciation for capital improvements and the Department of Justice’s review of the music licensing consent decrees. Accompanied by NATO President and CEO John Fithian, Director of Government Relations Esther Baruh, General Counsel and Director of Industry Relations Jackie Brenneman, and Manager of State Government Relations Alex Rich, exhibitors from the largest national circuits to mid-size regional companies to single-screen theaters met with Democrats and Republicans to chat about movie theaters, the impact of a slower recoupment schedule for interior remodels, and the importance of preserving the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees. In addition to the Capitol Hill meetings, NATO’s political action committee NATOPAC hosted an intimate gathering supporting Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The two-day program was capped with a special “Beyond the Red Carpet” reception on Capitol Hill co-hosted by the Creative Rights Caucus, NATO, and other entertainment industry partners.
Nathan Hunstable, Randy Hester, Emelyn Stuart, Roger Stuart, Patrick Micalizzi, and Dan Herrle
Rick Novak, Deepak Keshani, Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN), and Mark O’Meara
Rick Novak, Rich Daughtridge, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mark O’Meara and Scott Cohen
John Vincent, Scott Lotter, Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Racheal Wilson, and Mike Bowers
Rich Daughtridge, Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC), and Scott Cohen
Mike Hagan, Rep. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Scott Cohen, and Rich Daughtridge
Scott Lotter and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)
George Rouman, Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), and Mark Gramz
John Fithian, Scott Lotter, John Vincent, Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Dan Herrle, Rob Bruchman, and Dave Castelli
Russell Allen, Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO), Steve Zuehlke, and John Fithian
Dan Herrle, Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Emelyn Stuart, and Roger Stuart
Mark Gramz, Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mike Hagan, and Mike Barstow
Mark O’Meara and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rich Daughtridge
Deepak Keshani, Art Murtha, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Scott Lotter
Randy Hester, Nathan Hunstable, Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA), and Bo Chambliss
Bo Chambliss, Randy Hester, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Nathan Hunstable
Art Murtha, Russell Allen, Mike Bowers, Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ), Rob Bruchman, Jackie Brenneman, Racheal Wilson, and Steve Zuehlke