100+ Businesses Rally in D.C. for GSP Renewal and Tariff Relief at Lobby Days

On September 17–18th, the TGA joined more than 100+ small business owners, brands, and retailers in Washington, D.C. for We Pay the Tariffs Lobby Days — an initiative to connect TGA businesses with lawmakers and bring visibility to the challenges facing travel goods industry. Over the course of two days and meetings with about 150 House and Senate offices, TGA members were able to share their experiences firsthand and strengthen the dialogue between small businesses and policymakers.

The turnout was strong, the energy in small group discussions was encouraging, and there was bipartisan interest in trade issues, even if the level of engagement varied by office. Media optics were equally strong. The press event on the steps of the Supreme Court gave further visibility to small business voices and shared the issue in a way that resonated well beyond the Hill.

In addition to participating in larger meetings, the TGA arranged intimate sessions with lawmakers, Sen. John Curtis (UT) and Rep. Blake Moore (UT). These settings allowed for deeper discussion on how tariffs are impacting family-owned and small to medium-sized businesses, especially in the travel goods industry. For instance, TGA member Travis McMaster of Cocoon USA explained how shifting production out of China to avoid tariffs only led to new and even higher duties on Indian imports. “We need to put a stop to these quick changes,” McMaster said. “Our business isn’t run on a whim, and our country shouldn’t be either.”

Another perspective came from TGA member, Tiffany Williams, owner of Luggage Shop of Lubbock, a third-generation retailer celebrating its 75th anniversary. “In the last 3 months, out of the top 20 brands in our store that we carry — that account for 80% of our business — 17 of those have had price increases,” Williams said. “It’s incredibly difficult to plan as a small business when uncertainty keeps growing. We’ve been asked to weather short-term pain for the long-term gain, but I've just had a hard time seeing exactly what the long term looks like...and is it worth the risk of losing small, local businesses like ours in the process.”

Stories like these, paired with visibility from the Supreme Court press event featuring U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell — helped underscore the importance of small businesses to the U.S. economy. “More than 75% of job growth comes from small businesses,” Cantwell noted. “They are straining under the effects of these tariffs.”

While tariffs and GSP renewal remain an uphill but active conversation in D.C., We Pay the Tariffs Lobby Days reinforced the power of showing up. It was a clear example of how collective voices and shared stories bring visibility, connection, and momentum to issues that matter.

TGA is committed to continue showing up, sharing member stories, and ensuring members’ voices are heard. We remain engaged on this issue and will continue to keep members updated on future developments and opportunities to get involved.

You can hear more personal stories from business owners by watching the Lobby Days Press Conference here.

Though the event has concluded, members and other small businesses can continue building momentum by adding their voice to the We Pay the Tariffs open letter, already signed by more than 650 businesses. You can sign on here.