Every four years, the Iowa Caucus draws national media and political attention to the state. This heightened interest affords interests groups and coalitions a prime opportunity to increase awareness of their agendas.
In the months leading to the 2016 Iowa Caucus, United States Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) tasked LS2group with carrying its message of sustained funding for the international affairs budget to the Iowa federal delegation. The coalition also hoped to reach the presidential candidates crisscrossing the state prior to the caucus.
LS2group leveraged personal and professional connections to recruit and build a bi-partisan, statewide advisory committee to educate policy makers on the importance of maintaining funding levels for the international affairs budget. The LS2group teams organized in-district meetings with Iowa's congressional delegation to educate policymakers on the power of international development and diplomacy. LS2group was also able to raise awareness of the profound effect the international affairs budget has on the economy of Iowa through one-on-one meetings with faith leaders of all denominations and small meetings with civic, veterans, and business communities.
To highlight the newly formed advisory committee, LS2group coordinated a luncheon in Des Moines with Senator Joni Ernst as the keynote speaker. More than 300 of Iowa's most influential leaders attended, including Governor Terry Branstad and Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. These leaders were joined by the USGLC Iowa Advisory Committee to learn about the economic impact the international affairs budget has on Iowa's economy.