Mike Axiotis Helps Lead National Restaurant Association Advocacy in Washington D.C.
The 2025 National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., brought together 630 restaurant operators nationwide, making it the largest gathering in the event’s history. Among those helping to lead the charge was Mike Axiotis, President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands (LVRB), who proudly served as Chair of this year’s conference. Mike played a key role in working alongside the Association’s leadership team to shape and support the restaurant industry’s largest public policy event of the year.
During the two-day conference, industry leaders participated in more than 350 meetings with congressional offices, advocating for policy solutions that support restaurants, their employees, and the communities they serve. The conference theme—“Your Story, Your Future, Your Impact”—encouraged restaurant operators to share their real-world experiences with lawmakers, shedding light on how federal decisions impact job creation, inflation, and small business growth. Attendees also gained valuable insights from political strategists and thought leaders, including Kellyanne Conway, Jim Messina, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, among others.
From meaningful legislative dialogue to powerful grassroots storytelling, this year’s Public Affairs Conference reaffirmed the restaurant industry’s strength, unity, and resolve. LVRB is proud to have played an active role in advancing the voice of restaurant operators nationwide.