ANDERSON, SC - The National Issues Forum offers businessmen and women, governmental officials, civic leaders and concerned citizens from around the Upstate an opportunity to build professional networks, connect with congressional leaders and gain valuable insights into issues that impact the well being of their communities.

For the past seven years, the Chambers of Commerce from Easley, Anderson, Pickens, Seneca, Clemson, Laurens and Greenwood have worked with the Office of Congressman Gresham Barrett to plan and present this annual three-day Washington experience.

The 2008 Forum will begin Tuesday, May 13 and conclude Thursday, May 15.

The group will spend two nights in the Jurys Hotel, one of Washington’s premier hotels, centrally located on DuPont Circle in the heart of the embassy district. Participants can use the Forum to make business related contacts, establish and build relationships with fellow community leaders, discover potential resources and identify mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.This year, a tour of the White House has also been planned.

Among the most popular features of the yearly Forum are the “issue” presentations held over two days at the historic Library of Congress. Program speakers – many of whom are well known Washington insiders – provide insights about legislative and regulatory issues that are important to the health of businesses and communities in Upstate South Carolina.

Topics for this year's Forum include:

• Water- speaker- John Paul Woodley, Secretary of the Army (Civil Work)
• Energy- speakers- C.H. "Bud" Albright, Under Secretary of Energy, US Dept. of Energy &
  Beverly Marshall, Duke Energy
• Health- speaker- Ashley Thompson, Director of Policy with the American Hospital Association
• Homeland Security
• Immigration
• Business- speakers- Robert Steel, Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, US Dept. of Treasury & Augustine Tantillo, Executive Director of American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition
• Infrastructure

The registration fee covers all program sessions and transportation to and from the hotel and the Library of Congress and an evening reception, as well as all taxes and gratuities and a full breakfast each morning. An escort will be provided throughout the three days. The air fare and transportation to and from the airport is not included in the cost. The cost of the trip is $969 per person with private hotel accommodations and $657 for a double-occupancy room.

To register, please contact: Jean Vegod, Timeless Tours, at 864-646-8864 or timelesstours@bellsouth.net.  For more information contact Lee Luff at (864) 226-3454