Session I - Williamsburg, VA & Washington D.C.
May 17 - 21, 2026
Session one kicks off in Williamsburg, VA at 5pm on Sunday, May 17 and wraps up in Washington, DC Wednesday, May 20 following Capital Hill visits.
Plan your arrival Sunday May 17th by 5:00 p.m. - departure anytime Thursday, May 21st.
We will have a networking event after Hill visits on Wednesday, May 20.
All the details you need are below.
Please book your hotel as well as flights.
Hotel Details:
Deadline to Book: April 26th
Williamsburg -Williamsburg Lodge- Rate: $219 (Check In: May 17th & Check Out: 19th)
Washington DC - The Morrow - Rate: $259
(Check In: May 19th & Check Out: May 21st)
Flight Details:
Arrival: Sunday, May 17th by 5:00pm (Recommended airports: Richmond International Airport (RIC) and Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Departure: Anytime on Thursday, May 21st (Recommended airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Attire:
Dress for the Capital Hill day is General Business Attire. For men suits, dress shirts and ties and for women suits, business-like dresses and dressy separates. Wear comfortable shoes.
Please note that any tour of seafood facilities you MUST wear closed toe shoes.
Agenda:
Sunday, May 17
Dress code casual.
5:00 p.m. Precarious Beer Project
110 S Henry St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Precarious Beer Hall has a world-class tasting room, a street-style taqueria called Electric Circus Taco Bar, Ol’ Dominion Burger, an arcade with vintage games, and multiple outdoor spaces. Drinks and food are on your own.
6:30 p.m. Dinner on your own. You can grab food at Precarious or head over to Mellow Mushroom, funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.
Monday, May 18
Dress code for the day is business casual. This is an opportunity to wear your company’s logo apparel. Closed toed shoes are mandatory.
6:30 a.m. Breakfast, grab-and-go selection available at the Cupboard, which opens at 6:30 a.m.
7:00 a.m. Depart for Cherrystone Aqua Farms
1588 Townfield, Cape Charles, VA 23310
8:30 a.m. Cherrystone Aqua Farms Facility Tour, Product Demonstration and Tasting, Lunch
Cherrystone Aqua Farms, based on Virginia's Eastern Shore since 1895, is a premier, 5th-generation family-owned producer of sustainably farmed clams and oysters. As the largest US hard-clam producer, they operate over 9,000 acres, combining traditional methods with innovative, environmentally positive aquaculture to supply high-quality shellfish nationwide.
2:30 p.m. Depart for Hotel
310 S England St., Williamsburg, VA 23185
4:30 p.m. Arrival at Hotel
Take the opportunity to catch up on emails and meet on your class projects.
6:00 p.m. Dine A-Round
Please meet your group at the restaurant you signed up for. All reservations are under my name, Gerrie Thomas, cell # 571.271.7064
Amber Ox Public House
525 Prince George St Suite 102, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Blue Talon Bistro
420 Prince George St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Don Chido
515 Prince George St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Sweet Tea & Barley @ Williamsburg Lodge
310 S England St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Tuesday, May 19
Dress code for the day is business casual. This is an opportunity to wear your company’s logo apparel.
7:00 a.m. Breakfast is available for you to enjoy at your convenience. You may dine at Traditions, which opens at 7:00 a.m., or opt for the grab-and-go selection available at the Cupboard, which opens earlier at 6:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m. Depart for The Morrow Hotel
22 M Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
11:00 a.m. Arrival at Hotel & Check In’s
12:00 p.m. Lunch in Meeting Room
Buffet lunch to be provided
12:30 p.m. Welcome, Review of the Day and Class Introductions
Judy Dashiell, Chief Operating Officer, NFI
1:00 p.m. Introduction to Capitol Hill and Issue Briefing
Robert DeHaan, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, NFI
Overview of the Federal Government and structure of Capitol Hill followed by a detailed analysis of the issue to be discussed on the Hill.
2:30 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. Issue Message Training for the Hill
Gavin Gibbons, Chief Strategy Officer, NFI; Brandon Phillips, Vice President, External Affairs and Councils, NFI; Judy Dashiell, COO, NFI; and
Morgan Bell, Senior Director of Public Policy and International Relations, NFI
Presentation on messaging tactics and best practices for communicating advocacy issues to congressional staff, followed by individually taped roll-play exercise.
5:00 p.m. Session Ends
5:15 p.m. Depart for Embassy Visit (TENATIVE)
Wednesday, May 20
Dress for the day is General Business Attire. For men suits, dress shirts and ties and for women suits, business-like dresses and dressy separates. Wear comfortable shoes.
7:00 a.m. Breakfast is on your own
Lobby level restaurant is open for breakfast from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Here are a few options outside of the hotel:
· Lost Sock Roasters (0.2 miles): Located at 1100 4th St NE, known for excellent espresso drinks (like the horchata latte) and food options.
· Simona Café (NoMa): Located on N St NE, a neighborhood craft coffee shop specializing in quality brews.
· La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Located at 201 M St. NE, providing a nearby option for quality, quick coffee.
· For Five Coffee Roasters (0.7 miles): A nearby spot in the vicinity, known for its ethically sourced beans and cafe atmosphere.
· Slipstream (0.1 miles): Located in the immediate area, providing another close, high-quality coffee and light-bite option.
7:30 a.m. Hill Meetings
Your team leaders will communicate the time and place for your Hill meetings. You will receive your schedule for these meetings, along with the name of your team leader, on Tuesday during the Issue briefing.
5:00 p.m. Capitol Hill Club Networking Event
300 1st St SE, Washington, DC 20003
After your Hill meetings, meet up for a drink to discuss your Capitol Hill experience.
Thursday, May 21
Session ends and departures at your convenience.