Vectre Government Relations Services
At The Vectre Corporation, government relations embraces everything from strategic analysis to guiding lobbying efforts. We draw upon our strong working relationships with the members of Congress, state, and local government officials and community leaders throughout Virginia to meet the range of our clients' needs.
Virginia Lobbying
At Vectre, we thoroughly review our clients' issues, the political climate and possible strategic partners. Our hands-on approach is essential to the development of a comprehensive and effective lobbying strategy and efforts. We identify and arrange introductions and meetings with influential elected officials and key decision-makers, develop position papers and committee presentations, regularly testify before committees on behalf of our clients, and lobby legislators.
Federal Lobbying
For more than two decades, Vectre has successfully represented clients with issues before Congress and federal agencies. These issues have been as diverse as matters before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, healthcare, taxation, transportation reauthorization, and appropriations.
Coalition-Building/Grassroots Support
Vectre has also been engaged in many federal, state and local grassroots and grasstops projects. The firm helps clients recognize untapped resources that can be developed into a diverse coalition in support of their public sector initiatives. Vectre helps clients develop letter-writing campaigns and phone contacts directed to elected officials, contacts with new media editors, and creating mass mailings.
Lobbyist Compliance
Compliance with lobbyist registration and reporting requirements at the state and federal levels is something we take extremely seriously at Vectre. We file hundreds of lobbyist and disclosure forms every year on behalf of our clients and individual lobbyists. We take special care to make sure that our clients and their Vectre advocates meet all state and federal lobbyist-filing requirements. Our clients have tremendous confidence in our lobbyist and reporting compliance system. They often rely on Vectre to administer and fulfill their own compliance with Virginia and federal lobbyist registration and reporting requirements.
Building Community Relationships
Our clients rely on Vectre to develop effective strategies to enhance their presence in Virginia. Our efforts have been particularly helpful in assisting clients in increasing their influence within their communities, building support and recognition from their elected local and state officials and raising awareness of their issues. The relationships, or "trust banks," which result from these efforts, are essential when implementing long term strategies or meeting challenges that arise in less favorable circumstances.
Legislative Bill Drafting and Bill Review
More than 2,000 pieces of legislation are introduced annually in the Virginia General Assembly. At The Vectre Corporation, we review every one of them to identify issues that may be of concern to our clients. Vectre also prepares legislative drafts and amendments for our clients and regularly guides bills through the legislative process.
Business Development Opportunities
Our assignments for clients range from business and road location, to technology and contract procurement opportunities, to complex health care issues. These efforts include land use policy, historic preservation and environmental issues, to obtaining required governmental approval from regulatory agencies. Developing a good working relationship with the appropriate agencies is often required. The Vectre Corporation provides insight into a broad spectrum of issues and an understanding of the political environment that can ensure the successful completion of even the most sensitive or potentially controversial projects.
The Vectre Corporation is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.
International and Domestic Network Capabilities
Access to Top Governmental Relations Firms Throughout the World
The Vectre Corporation provides clients with access to the talents and expertise of top governmental relations firms across the globe as the Virginia member of The Advocacy Group (TAG), an international network of law firms and government relations firms. TAG members are experienced, highly-regarded government relations specialists who understand the issues and politics of their states and countries and who maintain the highest ethical and professional standards.
The TAG network provides legislative support services such as initiative and referendum campaign management, public relations, media training, advertising and grassroots organizing. The Vectre Corporation has been a member since 1992.
International Business Development Experience
H. Benson Dendy III, president of The Vectre Corporation, is also able to bring extensive experience in international business affairs to the firm’s clients.
Dendy has been a member of official delegations to Great Britain, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Central America, and Bermuda. These delegations involved Governor's trade missions, Europe 1992, economic development, international affairs and commemorative observances.
Dendy is a trustee of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, a core grantee of the United States Department of State that conducts international exchange programs for young governmental leaders.