WASHINGTON — Sixty members of the American Teleservices Association met with legislators here yesterday to voice their concerns on a number of issues concerning telemarketers, including privacy and time restrictions on telemarketing calls.
ATA leaders said the association wants to become more active on Capitol Hill.
“We’re not just educating them any more, now we are communicating with them — and that’s a big difference,” said Tim Searcy, president/CEO of Optima Direct, Vienna, VA.
The two sides found common ground on several issues, even on those they don’t normally agree on, Searcy said. Attendees called the meeting, the first since the ATA was taken over by an outside management firm, a success because of the caliber of legislative leaders who attended, including Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-LA.
The ATA’s government affairs committee will meet today to discuss plans for pursuing a legislative agenda for the future.
