America's restaurateurs are gearing up to take the National Restaurant Association's "America Works Here" message to Congress April 17 and 18 as part of the NRA's 26th annual Public Affairs Conference.

The America Works Here campaign emphasizes the ontributions restaurateurs make to the national economy and local communities -- providing jobs and careers for nearly 13 million Americans, making an estimated $3 billion a year in philanthropic contributions, and providing a range of healthful options to the 130 million Americans who purchase food in restaurants each day.

The Public Affairs Conference includes a full day of Capitol Hill visits office, a gala reception and dinner honoring the national winners of the NRA's Faces of Diversity and Restaurant Neighbor Awards, and a reception for conference attendees and members of Congress. The conference also includes a series of issue briefing sessions and remarks by lawmakers. 

Early-bird registration rates apply through March 16. Visit www.restaurant.org/paconference.