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Advocacy Academy

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Collin Brecher
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Nominations for the 2026 Advocacy Academy are Now Open!

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Nominations may only be submitted by the ACC executive contact or executive advisor. Each company is allowed a maximum of two nominations for the 2026 Class.

Below you will find more information that will help you decide on the best employees to nominate for the program in our “Frequently Asked Questions.”

Key Dates

  • February 18, 2026 – Nomination Window Closes 
  • March 2, 2026 – Selected Participants Notified
  • March 16, 2026 – Participants’ Registration Deadline
  • April 15-16, 2026 – ACC Advocacy Academy Kickoff Event: The Woodlands, TX (Virtual Option Available)

What to Expect:

  • Selected participants will learn from leading experts on grassroots advocacy tactics, communicating the science, and develop as leaders within their organizations.
  • The six-month program, one virtual meeting each month on the third Thursday of each month (with the exception of the kick off hybrid session) along with a semester-long advocacy related project.
  • The program concludes with a visit to Washington, D.C. for a “Congressional Fly-In” and graduation ceremony where participants will have the opportunity to meet with elected officials to discuss industry issues.

Program Highlights for 2026

  • The 2026 Advocacy Academy will kick off in-person for a welcome reception and dinner, followed by a half-day seminar. The location will be announced at a future date. While in-person participation is encouraged, there will be a virtual option available for participants unable to attend.
  • This class will feature a semester-long advocacy related project, chosen by the participant in collaboration with the participant’s corporate government affairs team based on their individual needs. For participants without a government affairs team, any necessary support will be offered by ACC staff.
  • Participants will receive additional resources, connections, and exposure to elected officials and leaders within the industry to support their growth as industry advocates.

For more information please contact Collin Brecher.

What did past participants have to say?

“This program exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed the opportunity, all of the training and interactions. Most of all, I’m more confident on how I can share my knowledge, vision and experience to continue to help industry on the local, state, and national levels.“
“I thought the program was well-constructed and thoughtfully executed. I appreciate the work the ACC did to create a high-quality and impactful program.”
“I would like to thank the ACC for this really great experience and opportunity. This has helped to jumpstart our government affairs program internally and was a very useful academy.“

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no better advocates for the business of chemistry than the employees of the industry. The Academy is designed to provide plant leadership and other employees with the best tools and tactics to advocate for their company and our industry.

The ideal participant would be an ACC member company employee who has a role in plant leadership or a colleague that has been identified as a future leader within your organization. This program is designed for individuals with limited or no prior professional government affairs experience.

The nomination window will be open January 5, 2026 through February 18, 2026. Due to the significant amount of interest in the program, we would ask that a maximum of two employees per company be nominated. Nominations can only be submitted by the ACC executive contact or executive advisor, but we encourage collaboration between government affairs colleagues and leadership on who you would like to consider nominating to represent your company.

The participants must be able to dedicate a maximum of two hours, once per month via Zoom. Classes will be held the third Thursday of each month. The program is scheduled to begin in April 2026 with an in-person event (virtual option to be offered) and conclude with an in-person fly-in September 2026. Participants will also complete a semester-long advocacy related project specific to their site or organizations needs. This could include: Engagement with a local official, hosting a community related event, participating in an advocacy focused roundtable, visiting a state capitol to meet with legislators, etc.

All costs associated with the programming and curriculum will be covered by ACC. The only costs that will need to be covered by the member company are travel and lodging expenses associated with kick-off event in Houston and the Washington D.C. congressional fly-in and graduation ceremony for the program participants.

ACC will not be advocating or educating participants on specific policy positions on any legislative or regulatory issues. The curriculum is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to apply grassroots advocacy tactics to the specific issues and positions that are most important to your organization. In-district plant tours and the Washington D.C. Fly-In will be opportunities for participants to apply what they have learned to advocate on specific policy issues. Government affairs staff of participating member companies in the academy will be invited and encouraged to participate in the fly-in alongside their colleague participating in the program.

Advocacy Academy Application