For Immediate Release
American Land Title Association Hosts Record-Breaking Virtual Advocacy Event
Washington, DC, May 17, 2021 — The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, is hosting approximately 400 people—the highest number of participants ever—for the second virtual version of the association’s annual congressional fly-in, the ALTA Advocacy Summit, May 18-20. The ALTA Advocacy Summit unites ALTA members with federal lawmakers to highlight and advance policies that support and protect Americans’ property rights. The event features engaging discussions and intimate forums on public policies regarding important topics, such as remote online notarization (RON) and digital closings, federal tax policy, cannabis banking legislation and more.
“As with much we’ve experienced during the pandemic, the lack of in-person interaction on Capitol Hill at first doesn’t seem ideal,” said ALTA CEO Diane Tomb. “However, ALTA has found over the past year that the virtual advocacy world can present an even better avenue to tell our industry’s story. Personal connections and policy discussions flow easily, and everyone can walk away feeling productive.”
During their meetings on Capitol Hill, ALTA members will be highlighting the innovations they’ve embraced during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve consumers’ real estate needs. Whether by helping families close on a mortgage refinance and realize much needed savings or securing their first home using tools such as RON, the title industry pivoted. Once the pandemic shut down a majority of American businesses, title professionals worked to ensure title and settlement services were deemed essential and able to remain open and operational under guidance from the Department of Homeland Security. The work of title professionals helped keep a critical part of the economy functioning during a time of tremendous challenge.
Title professionals also gave back to their communities in 2020, volunteering locally, donating to food pantries and helping those struggling through the COVID-19 crisis. These acts of service and giving ultimately evolved into the creation of the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, which recently distributed $125,000 in its first round of grants to 21 local nonprofits around the country, just months after its founding.
During the event, attendees will be able to hear from a slate of keynote speakers, including former Sens. John Breaux Sr. and Trent Lott, Rep. Young Kim, Rep. Ed Perlmutter and Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Cedric Richmond. In addition, ALTA members are scheduled to meet with nearly 250 Capitol Hill offices during the three-day event, seeking support for the SECURE Notarization Act, which would permit nationwide use of RON, with minimum standards, and provide certainty for its interstate recognition.
To learn more about ALTA Advocacy Summit, visit meetings.alta.org/advocacy.
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About ALTA
The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is the national trade association representing the land title insurance industry, which employs more than 120,000 people working in every county in the United States. More than two-thirds of ALTA’s 6,400 member companies are considered small businesses.
Connect with ALTA on Facebook here. Follow ALTA on Twitter here.
Contact: Megan Hernandez
Office: 202-261-0315
Email: mhernandez@alta.org