Become a Member
We are focused on growing our membership and providing members with the tools to help them be successful in their profession. We will be growing our suite of member benefits and educational offerings to help lobbyists and government affairs professionals at all stages in their career.
Your membership will not only help you and your career, but will also signal your support of an open, accessible, and well-informed government that fosters the public trust and values the significant role lobbyists and government relations professionals play in the public’s right to be represented before government.
All Memberships Include
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Free admission to all Lunch n' Learns, Panel & Roundtable discussions, Networking Events, & Member of Congress Briefings (including access to archived recordings of these programs in the members only section of our website)
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​Access to our Ethics Hotline​
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Access to our Public Policy Certificate Program (PPC) - including discounted pricing on our PPC courses
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Member only discount codes to our partnering organizations
Top Lobbyist
Created BY lobbyists FOR lobbyists
We set out on a mission to create a yearly Top Lobbyist list that is more representative of the profession and not simply based on who you know or where you work. Our judges blindly evaluate each nominee to ensure receiving the honor of Top Lobbyists is 100% merit based.
Our list is comprised of lobbyists, PAC managers, and grassroots professionals that have been nominated by their colleagues, Congressional staff, or clients for their outstanding work. This distinction spotlights professionals that saw significant legislative success, have been innovative in their field, are held in high regard by their clients or members, and are individuals who give back to their community through charity or pro bono work.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
NOMINATION PROCESS IS CLOSED
Timeline
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Nominate your 2025 Top Lobbyist by October 3, 2025.
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Winners will be announced on October 23, 2025.
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2025 Top Lobbyist Award Gala will be held November 3 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm in Washington D.C.
Nomination Process
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Nominees must be nominated by a co-worker, client, congressional/agency staff, or peer within the profession.
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A nomination must clearly demonstrate 2025 lobbying, PAC, or grassroots advocacy success. Successes from previous years will not be considered.
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Both Federal and State lobbyists, PAC Managers/Directors, and grassroots professionals may be nominated.
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A nominee may be nominated by multiple people and is encouraged to do so. There is no limit on the number of nominations a nominee can receive, provided each nomination comes from a different person.
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The nominee DOES NOT have to be a member of the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics.
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All information regarding nominators and nominees will remain confidential. Nominees will only be informed if they are selected and will not be told the identity of their nominator.
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Only individuals will be considered, please do not nominate teams.
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We encourage adding letters of recommendation to your nomination packet.
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The following letters of recommendation are accepted and encouraged:
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Letters of recommendation from a Congressional or agency staff, client, peer within the profession, or community-based organization.
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If you would like to provide a letter of recommendation to add to the nomination packet of an individual you know has been nominated, please send it to Nicole at nsmith@millerwenhold.com
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If you have any questions about the nomination process please reach out to Nicole at nsmith@millerwenhold.com.
Student Advocate of the Year Award
The Student Advocate of the Year Award honors an emerging leader who has made a meaningful impact on a specific issue or lobbying campaign over the past year. This award acknowledges a student advocate who has exhibited exceptional dedication and leadership in the field, driving change and showcasing the effectiveness of advocacy. It highlights the next generation of influential voices within the lobbying community.
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The Student Advocate of the Year Award is sponsored by:
Award Criteria
The Student Advocate of the Year Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, integrity, and commitment to advocacy. The nominee should exemplify the core values of the lobbying and ethics profession while making a meaningful impact in their community.
Nominee Evaluation
Each nominee will be evaluated using the criteria below​
Success
Did the nominee have significant 2025 lobbying, PAC, or grassroots success?​​
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Innovation
Did the nominee innovate in their field? How were they thought leaders in their policy area or profession?
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Character
Is the nominee viewed positively by their peers? Does the nominee provide pro bono services and/or participate within their community?