250
Government affairs pros
Gathering to swap best practices and connect.
Presented by
The Must AttendSummit forGovernment Affairs
October 8 · 9AM – 6PMStation DC, Washington DC
What if one day could transformhow you influence policy?
Free to attend · Limited seats
What you'll leave with
The summit by the numbers
7
Deep dives
From public affairs leaders changing the game.
8
AI Wonkshops
Getting hands on with the tools to make 2027 better than 2026.
$0
Free to attend
This event is 100% free to attend.
Who is speaking
Join leading public affairs practitioners from across the advocacy community. The lineup is coming together now — check back soon.
Eugene Daniels
MS NOW's Senior White House Correspondent & Co-Host of 'The Weekend'
Matt Foley
Head of Government Affairs, Chipotle
Melanie Lendnal
Executive Vice President, Chief of Advocacy, The ALS Association
Mike Whatley
Vice President of State Affairs & Grassroots Advocacy, National Restaurant Association
Anthony Mitchell
Vice President of Federal Affairs, AHIP
Kristin Brackemyre
Vice President, Member Success & Practice, Public Affairs Council
Ryan Burns
Sr. Director, Federal Government Affairs, Walmart
Built for
Who is the Wonk Summit for?
One day, built for the people who move policy — whatever seat you sit in.
Team Leaders
Build the team structure and operating rhythm that scales.
- Get a playbook for building a team and an operating rhythm that holds up under pressure
- Learn how to manage up so the work actually gets seen and credited
- Walk away knowing where AI actually helps your team versus where it's just noise
The day
Agenda at a glance
October 8, 2026 at Station DC. A working draft — sessions and times are subject to change as the lineup firms up.
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Main Stage
Doors Open
Badge pickup, coffee, and a soundtrack while the room fills up.
9:00 – 9:20 AM
Main Stage
Welcome
Patrick Kalie, Quorum
How to get the most out of the day ahead.
9:20 – 10:00 AM
Main Stage
Hot Ones Challenge, Public Affairs Edition
Anthony Mitchell (AHIP), Kristin Brackemyre (Public Affairs Council)
Hot wings, hotter questions — public affairs leaders answer while the scoville climbs.
10:00 – 10:15 AMBreak
10:15 – 11:00 AM
Main Stage
The Future of Agentic Government Affairs
Alex Wirth, Quorum
What agents change about the daily work of a GA team.
11:00 – 11:45 AM
Main Stage
Who's the Wonkiest Wonk at Wonk Summit?
Find out who takes the title of wonkiest wonk in the room.
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Main Stage
Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 PM
Main Stage
How Chipotle's One Person Government Affairs Shop Is Built to Handle It All
Matt Foley, Chipotle
Running a full program without a full bench.
AI WonkShop
Managing Agents within Quorum
Hands-on with the hub that keeps your team's work in one place.
1:30 – 1:40 PMBreak
1:40 – 2:10 PM
Main Stage
Advocacy That Actually Works: Lessons from the ALS Association
Melanie Lendnal, The ALS Association
What moves decision makers when the stakes are personal.
AI WonkShop
AI Bill Tracking
Build a tracking workflow that surfaces what actually matters.
AI WonkShop
Automating Hill Outreach
Draft, tailor, and ship policy communications faster.
2:10 – 2:20 PMBreak
2:20 – 2:50 PM
Main Stage
AI-Powered Government Affairs at Walmart
Ryan Burns, Walmart
Hear how Walmart's government affairs team uses AI to work smarter, move faster, and maximize impact.
AI WonkShop
Agentic Campaign Creation to Grassroots
Turn a supporter list into a mobilization engine.
AI WonkShop
Sneak Peek at Audience Builder
See a new way to reach policymakers and their influencers, with less friction and more control.
2:50 – 3:00 PMBreak
3:00 – 3:30 PM
Main Stage
How the National Restaurants Association Activates their Nationwide Network of Restaurant Owners.
Mike Whatley, National Restaurant Association
One team, many states, and the strategy that keeps them aligned.
AI WonkShop
Building Institutional Knowledge in Quorum
Stop losing context when people and priorities change.
AI WonkShop
Keeping Up with Committee Hearings
Prep for a hearing with AI doing the heavy reading.
3:30 – 3:35 PMBreak
3:35 – 4:00 PM
Main Stage
Awards Presentation
The inaugural Wonk Awards, presented live on the Main Stage.
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Main Stage
Behind the Headlines: What Washington Is Actually Talking About
Eugene Daniels, MS NOW
The conversations shaping Washington right now, straight from someone in the room.
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Main Stage
Happy Hour
Drinks, snacks, and the conversations that matter.
The venue
Where it’s happening
Station DC
1323 4th St NE, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20002
October 8 | 9AM – 6PM
Get directions
One day. Every part of how you influence policy.
Save your spot at the Wonk Summit and bring the playbook back to your team.