(INDIANAPOLIS) -- When members of Congress hear from constituents, it usually comes via an e-mail or maybe a telephone call. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, however, is offering Hoosier business leaders the opportunity to personally interact with the state's congressional delegation during the annual Washington D.C. Fly-in event on September 21-22.

This year, for the first time, participants will be able to attend up to three House office meetings, as well as a session with staff of either Sen. Dan Coats or Sen. Richard Lugar. There will also be an orientation session on the first day of the fly-in, followed by the always popular roundtable discussion with delegation members, moderated by Gerry Dick of Inside INdiana Business, and a sit-down dinner.

Cam Carter, the Indiana Chamber's vice president of economic development and federal relations, stresses the need for a large assembly of Hoosier business leaders to attend.

"The stakes this year are quite high, including concerns with the federal debt ceiling, government agencies taking rights away from employers, and follow-up to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," he offers.

"These issues couldn't be any more urgent or pertinent to the business community. There will be a lot of compromise - any time there is compromise, there are negotiations and usually those are behind closed doors. It's important that Indiana businesses communicate to the delegation where their lines in the sand are drawn."

The registration fee for this event is $149. Organizations sending three or more employees receive the discounted rate of $99 per person. Hotel and air fare accommodations are not included in the price. However, a discounted Chamber rate is available at The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia hotel.

Register online at www.indianachamber.com/specialevents or call (800) 824-6885.

The annual gathering draws between 75 and 100 business leaders from throughout the state.

Event sponsors for 2011 are Duke Energy; Hill-Rom Company, Inc.; St.Vincent Health; and Zimmer, Inc.  Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Jim Wagner at (317) 264-6876.

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state's largest broad-based business advocacy
organization for over 85 years.  The nearly 5,000 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.