TECNA DC Fly-In 2026
During the TECNA DC Fly-In on April 14–15, 2026, we will convene members of Congress and key federal stakeholders alongside innovation economy leaders from across North America for high‑impact discussions on critical policy priorities, including:
- Access to capital for innovators, with a focus on barriers and opportunities within the SBIR program and the Invest Act
- The evolving AI regulatory landscape, and what U.S. AI companies need to develop, deploy, and scale responsibly, including:
- A robust, highly skilled workforce supported by H‑1B visas and technology apprenticeships
- Thoughtful, ethical, and responsible national AI‑forward policy
- The essential role of energy in powering AI advancement
- The upcoming reauthorization of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA)
TECNA members will have a unique opportunity to engage directly on the issues, rules, and regulations shaping the technology ecosystem; hear insights from members of Congress and congressional committees; and gain an inside‑the‑Beltway perspective on emerging legislative priorities.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Young, TECNA CEO, at jyoung@tecna.org.
Location: Hart Senate Office Building, 902 (SH-902), Washington, DC
Confirmed Speakers
David W. Paterson, Ontario's Representative in Washington
Mr. Paterson is co-located at the Embassy of Canada to the United States and brings more than 30 years of senior-level experience at the intersection of government, business, and public policy. He has held executive roles at General Motors Canada, BlackBerry, and Manulife Financial, and has served on the boards of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian American Business Council, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, among others.
During his remarks, Mr. Paterson will provide an overview of the responsibilities of his role, Ontario's current trade and economic priorities as well as important perspective on the USMCA / CUSMA review process and what a successful outcome looks like for the technology and innovation sectors.
>> 2026 DC Fly-In Schedule*
Location of all Meetings: Hart Senate Office Building, 902 (SH-902)
Security screening to enter building. Valid government-issued photo ID is required.
5:00 - 7:00pm – Welcome Reception with featured speaker David Paterson, Ontario Representative to the United States.
Mr. Paterson will be speaking at 6:15 p.m. on the status of the USMCA review process and what a successful outcome will look like for the technology and innovation sectors in North America.
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026
*Please arrive with plenty of time to go through security as lines may be longer due to the time of day. Programming will be starting promptly.
8:30am – Coffee & Breakfast
8:45am – A Discussion: Federal AI Policy Framework
The discussion will focus on a path to a federal AI framework and what best policy and lack thereof will mean for American AI innovation, adoption and leadership.
- Will Burns, Legislative Director, Congressman Jay Obernolte
Congressman Jay Obernolte serves on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, serves as Chair of the Subcommittee on Research & Technology, and leads AI policy work for the House of Representatives.
- Olivia Igbokwe-Curry, Director, U.S. Federal Affairs & Public Policy at AWS
Igokwe-Curry leads Congressional and Political Affairs for Amazon Web Services where she specializes in federal public policy, concentrating on AI.
- Moderated by Doug Kelly, CEO, American Edge Project
The American Edge Project is a policy advocacy coalition that promotes U.S. technological competitiveness through lobbying, advertising campaigns, and research on issues including AI leadership, antitrust, and national security.
9:45am – Innovation in the Workforce
Taylor Stockton, Chief Innovation Officer, Department of Labor, and his team lead the DOL’s exploration of how AI and other emerging technologies impact the labor market and the overall experience of the American worker, as well as what new innovations can support workers in achieving the American Dream.
10:30am – Adjourn for Hill meetings
TECNA members are encouraged to arrange visits with their congressional offices to introduce their member companies and discuss policy priorities.
Thank You to TECNA's Partner Sponsors!
Check out photos from the 2025 TECNA DC Fly-In!
Attendees are welcome to download the photos to share about the event and Hill day.
>> Frequently Asked Questions
- Each attendee must register, whether a tech council staff member or representative from a member company.
- TECNA Members are encouraged to invite member companies to join and meet with their congressional delegations to introduce their businesses and discuss policy priorities.
- Requests must be made by March 1, 2026, and all participants must be registered.
- Contact Jennifer Young, jyoung@tecna.org, for assistance.
Washington DC has a wide variety of hotel options, and it’s encouraged to book your room ASAP as Capitol Hill-area hotel availability can become sparce and expensive on Congressional joint session days.
Below are some suggested hotels. Please feel free to choose any of these or a completely different one based on your own preferences. You're not obligated to book from this list.
- The fee includes room rentals, reception food, staff time, meeting materials, and meals during the meetings.
- Hotel and travel expenses are not included.
- Meetings: Business attire.
- Reception: Business or business casual attire.
Can I view photos from the 2025 DC Fly-In?
Yes! Click Here
Not a TECNA Member but want to join us?
Contact Jennifer Young at jyoung@tecna.org for more details.
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
Contact Jennifer Young at jyoung@tecna.org for more details.
