Office of Advocacy Roundtable
What we will discuss:
The Office of Advocacy helps elevate your concerns in Washington. Andrew wants to hear what regulations or burdens the federal government has imposed on your business that makes it challenging. These can be things like:
· financial burdens
· time-consuming tasks
· outdated regulations
· any challenges you are facing
Who should attend:
Any business that is affected by federal regulations.
What is the format:
Andrew will do a short overview of the department and then will move to Q&A.
How you can prepare:
· Come with facts/stories about what challenges or regulations your business is facing.
· Come with questions!
What is this:
The Lakeville and Burnsville Chambers are hosting a roundtable discussion with Andrew Coffield, Region 5 Advocate for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy.
What we will discuss:
The Office of Advocacy helps elevate your concerns in Washington. Andrew wants to hear what regulations or burdens the federal government has imposed on your business that makes it challenging. These can be things like:
- financial burdens
- time-consuming tasks
- outdated regulations
- any challenges you are facing
Who should attend:
Any business that is affected by federal regulations.
What is the format:
Andrew will do a short overview of the department and then will move to Q&A.
How you can prepare:
- Come with facts/stories about what challenges or regulations your business is facing?
- Come with questions!
ABOUT the Office of Advocacy
The Office of Advocacy is an independent office within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that represents the interests of small businesses before federal agencies, Congress, and the White House. It serves as the federal government’s principal voice for small business, focusing on regulatory reform and research to promote an economic environment favorable to entrepreneurship.
Key Facts
- Established: 1976 under Public Law 94-305
- Parent agency: U.S. Small Business Administration
- Head: Chief Counsel for Advocacy (presidentially appointed)
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
- Core mandate: Represent small businesses in federal policymaking
Mission and Role
The Office of Advocacy’s central mission is to ensure that federal policies consider small business perspectives. It evaluates proposed regulations for their impact on small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), advocates for less burdensome alternatives, and coordinates with federal agencies to strengthen compliance with small business requirements.
Research and Data
A major function of the office is to conduct and publish economic research on small business trends, financing, employment, and innovation. These studies inform policymakers and the public about the role of small firms in the U.S. economy and guide evidence-based decision-making on regulatory and legislative initiatives.
Regulatory Advocacy
Through formal comment letters, interagency consultations, and the RFA review process, the office works to reduce excessive regulatory costs for small businesses. It also trains federal regulators on small business impact assessment and promotes transparency in rulemaking.
Structure and Outreach
The Office of Advocacy includes regional advocates across the United States who gather input from local business owners and relay it to policymakers in Washington. It regularly collaborates with trade associations, chambers of commerce, and state officials to amplify small business concerns at the national level.
Date and Time
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CDT
Location
Buck Hill
15400 Buck Hill Road
Burnsville, MN 55306
Fees/Admission
Contact Information
Krista Jech - krista@lakevillechamber.org
