The Value of Inviting Lawmakers to Dog Shows

The Value of Inviting Lawmakers to Dog Shows

These are actual conversations AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) staff have had with local officials:

“Why should we listen to AKC? It’s not like you have anyone here helping the community.”

This was a major US city with dozens of clubs hosting shows, holding basic training and CGC classes, and making significant donations, including an AKC Reunite Disaster Relief Trailer, donations of money and supplies in support of police K-9s, and assistance to local shelters—but the city had no idea all this was happening.

“I’m calling to find out why you’re opposing our mandatory spay/neuter proposal. How does it impact you? There isn’t a dog show here.”

The city wasn’t aware that, in fact, there wasn’t just one show—but a 5-day cluster in their city that is one of the most prominent and prestigious dog events in the region.

Exhibitors are great at sharing about their dogs and success with fellow exhibitors and club members, but how many of us take the time to tell lawmakers about the great things that clubs are doing—or even that shows are being held in the community?

Inviting a lawmaker to your show provides an amazing opportunity to showcase purebred dogs, educate on the event, and highlight the good things your club does in your community. It demonstrates that there are local constituents who are passionate about dogs, have significant expertise and experience, and are making a tangible impact on the local community.

“With state laws increasingly limiting responsible breeding and ownership of certain breeds, it is more critical than ever to develop a good relationship with local representatives,” said Tracy Van Niel, Legislative Liaison for the Central Ohio Kennel Club, explaining why they invited Ohio State Representative Meredith Lawson-Rowe to their recent shows.

AKC Government Relations has developed tools to help you invite lawmakers to your upcoming shows, and to make the most of their visit.

The biggest tip when inviting a lawmaker is to have a plan. Similar to creating a judging panel, a well thought out plan will set the tone for not only the event, but also how that lawmaker views the purebred dog community. Prior planning emphasizes that your club values the lawmaker’s time once they are at your event.

To assist you in these efforts, AKC’s Legislative Action Center toolbox at www.akcgr.org provides a sample letter you can use to invite lawmakers to your shows.

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is also pleased to announce a new printable guide (https://www.akcgr.org/blogpost_HostingLawmakersatDogShows/?) to help ensure the lawmaker’s visit is a success. Here are just a few guidelines to consider:

• Remember, this is likely the lawmaker’s first time at any AKC dog event—so be clear, concise, and use terms they will understand. (What is a Conformation event and what is the goal? How is a typical dog show structured (Breeds, Groups, Best in Show)? Why do Breed Standards matter?
• Appoint a specific point of contact who is very active in the club and who is very confident speaking about the event, breeding, your club, and dog ownership in a clear and simple manner.
• Invite your guest to present an award—and explain to them what the award means and how someone earns it.
• Have a few club members available with their dogs ready to speak about their breeds, anything notable about the dogs (therapy dog, a fifth generation from your breeding lines, a fun fact, etc.), and how long they have been breeding/showing.
• Be cognizant of time: How much time does the lawmaker have to visit? If they only have an hour, plan your tour and presentation accordingly. Also, plan the timing of the visit for maximum impact. For example, when the Central Ohio Kennel Club invited their State Representative to their show on a Sunday, they chose to have her present awards at Juniors earlier in the day, rather than waiting for Best in Show late in the day when many exhibitors would have already gone home.
• Research local legislation: Are there proposals in your city/county or state that the lawmaker may have the opportunity to influence? Be ready to speak briefly and have talking points. GR can help you with this.
• Emphasize the economic impact: Emphasize the economic impact of both your event and AKC events generally. Share the number of exhibitors, point out the vendors, and share the many ways the show has a positive economic impact on the community (and if you have been using that site for several years, be sure to mention that as well!). Use the resources in the AKC Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org/econbenefits to provide more information on the economic impact of AKC events by state, and in general, throughout the country.
• Create an informational packet for them to take home, with information on your club (GR has created a template https://www.akcgr.org/blogpost_HostingLawmakersatDogShows/? for you to use in creating a handout with details about your club and your impact in the community), the economic impact of dog shows, and talking points on specific legislation if appropriate. Make sure they have a good contact for your club, so you can be a resource to them going forward.
• Follow up after the event: If your club has a Facebook page or other social media, consider posting photos and tagging the lawmaker to recognize them for participating. At the very least, reach out to their office and thank them for attending, and follow up on any questions or conversations you had at the show. For example, as the Central Ohio Kennel Club noted, “We hope to work with [the Representative] on some responsible dog ownership and community dog education events she is planning for her district.”

We understand all the work and hours of effort that go into planning and hosting a successful dog show, and it may seem like hosting a lawmaker is just one thing too much. However, taking the time to invite and host a lawmaker at your show can result in tremendous benefits. We encourage you to check out our new printable handout in AKC’s Legislative Action Center (https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Hosting-Your-Lawmaker-at-a-Dog-Event.pdf) for more tips and ideas on how to make your lawmaker’s visit a success.

During a meeting with AKC club members in his district, an Illinois State Representative told them that the club was “Illinois’ best-kept secret.” Before this meeting, he had no idea of the impact local club members were making through training classes, economic impact of their events, donations and community events, and their expertise on dogs.

Remember, animal rights groups are great at making themselves known, and at convincing lawmakers to support their radical proposals. Taking the time to invite a lawmaker to your show is a powerful way to take back the conversation and demonstrate that if lawmakers really want to help dogs, they need to work with AKC clubs. Building these relationships today can help save purebred dogs and dog shows for the future.