eBay & PayPal Enabled Small Businesses Participate in 2014 U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day

May 13, 2014

Last month, 43 technology-enabled small businesses from 38 states converged on Washington, DC for the 9th Annual U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day. Hosted by the eBay Inc. Government Relations team, the event brings together eBay and PayPal small businesses from all across the country to share their stories with their Members of Congress and advocate on public policy issues that impact their businesses. This year’s participants met with 110 U.S. Senators and Representatives over a two day period and discussed issues such as Internet sales tax, small business cross border trade and mobile payments. In just over 48 hours, eBay and PayPal small businesses touched over one-fifth of the U.S. Congress, making it our largest Capitol Hill advocacy effort to date.

“It is important for legislators on Capitol Hill to hear our stories first hand and see us face to face so they truly understand how important policies affect those of us back in their district.”

For many of the small businesses present, it was not only their first time in Washington, DC, but their first time educating their elected representatives on issues facing their business. “It is important for legislators on Capitol Hill to hear our stories first hand and see us face to face so they truly understand how important policies affect those of us back in their district,” said Colleen Rast, owner of Great Sky Gifts in Kalispell, Montana. “By participating in the eBay fly-in, I was able to meet with Senators Tester and Walsh and Representative Daines and share my experiences as a small business owner in Montana and how those policies affect me personally.”

Although Members of Congress are lobbied day in and day out from stakeholders on every side of every issue, nothing is more compelling than to hear directly from the constituents that would be touched by policy decisions. Without events like the U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day, Members of Congress might never have the opportunity to meet small technology-enabled businesses back home that are supporting their local communities and changing the face of retail. "My top priority in Congress is always representing my constituents. In order to do this effectively, I must understand the issues that are facing individuals and businesses back home,” said Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-2), “I appreciate eBay Inc. for coordinating this fly-in so that my colleagues and I could have the opportunity to hear firsthand the issues facing technology-enabled small businesses.”

Devin Wenig, eBay Inc.’s President of eBay Global Marketplaces, also attended this year’s U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day and joined the small businesses in their advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. Devin and the small businesses had the opportunity to meet with a number of U.S. Senators, including Senator James Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and many other policymakers. Devin also addressed the eBay and PayPal small businesses at the U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day lunch.  During the lunch, Devin discussed eBay Inc.’s vision of Connected Commerce, future trends within the industry and how eBay Inc. is working to help retailers of all sizes adapt to the rapidly evolving commerce landscape.

“Our small businesses blanketed Capitol Hill and lobbied their Members of Congress on issues that promote small business growth and development."

“It was a pleasure to join the 2014 U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day. I appreciated having the opportunity to interact with our small businesses and hear firsthand how eBay has empowered their business”, said Devin Wenig. “Our small businesses blanketed Capitol Hill and lobbied their Members of Congress on issues that promote small business growth and development. I look forward to participating in future U.S. of eBay Advocacy Days.”

U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day In the Media

Check out all of the Twitter chatter about and pictures from the U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day.

See below for a compilation of press articles covering the U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day and our small businesses’ road to Washington, DC.

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