A Strong Voice When You Need it Most

We are Checkmate Strategies, a fierce advocate in Louisiana governmental relations and a transformative force in association management. We empower clients to execute winning strategies in the Capitol and the Boardroom, especially when the stakes are high and they can’t afford to lose.

Our Mission

Governmental Relations

Checkmate Strategies fiercely advocates for our clients, unwavering in our dedication to champion their views on all legislative and regulatory fronts. Our approach is characterized by unassailable integrity, mastery of persuasive messaging, and an ever-vigilant stance. We not only navigate the complexities of the legislative landscape but shape it in favor of our clients, ensuring their voices resonate powerfully and positively.

Association Management

We empower associations to ascend to unprecedented levels of success through strategic development, growth, and meticulous management of revenue and membership. Our transformative approach integrates cutting-edge technology and industry best practices, ensuring that associations not only thrive but pioneer new standards of excellence in their fields.

Areas of Expertise

Access and Advocacy

Lobbying is based on relationships and a strong knowledge of the legislative process.    Checkmate Strategies has relationships with the executive, legislative and state department official.  When important decisions are being made, we give our clients access and a strong voice. Our experience of over four executive administrations and legislatures has given our team a mastery of the legislative process that we deploy in our clients best interest. Our knowledge of the process, key players and influential people brings results.

In addition to state leaders, Checkmate Strategies maintains connections to federal officials and Louisiana’s congressional delegation.  Federal legislation often influences what happens on the state level.

 A hallmark of our team is robust communication with our clients. We monitor committee hearings, executive meetings, media reports and deliberations of the legislative bodies. We listen and note priorities of the executive branch and the actions of state departments. We analyze, summarize and communicate this information on a daily basis during the session and on a frequent basis between sessions. Our team always prepares our clients by providing an overview of major bills and issues before the legislative session.  Our clients have the inside track on what is happening and how it affects them.

Association Management

Checkmate Strategies provides the resources and expertise to transform associations. With growing revenue and higher membership rolls, associations thrive.  Efficiency is the hallmark of our management. Our technology facilitates dues collection, sponsor contributions and conference administration.    Our sophisticated communications are comparable to those of   national firms providing information and member engagement on critical issues.  Our team also employs cutting-edge techniques to maximize conference attendance as well as to attract sponsors who can support those events.  Our unique association management strategies reliably produces prosperity and growth for our clients.  

Grassroots Coalition Building

Checkmate Strategies knows how to build coalitions to support and win issues.  Our team has worked with numerous business segments and industries. We have developed the resources of grassroots organizing, mobilizing  and generating collective actions.  We have all the tools of communication – social media, email blasts, website creation and telephone activism.  We can create a powerful  response and advocate a strong position.

Testimonials

  • “Cindy Bishop is very well respected across all political lines. She works hard and is always available.” Senator John Alario, Former President, Louisiana Senate

  • “Checkmate Strategies keeps us informed on legislation…before we worked with them we didn’t know the issues that would affect our profession; now we do and our approach is much more refined and effective.” Dr. Clark Gunderson, Legislative Chairman, Louisiana Orthopaedic Association

  • “Checkmate Strategies provides comprehensive services. They plan our conference, manage our association, analyze legislation, keep us informed and represented. Cindy has a passion for her work. I don’t know what we would do without her.” Andy Waldo, Past President, Louisiana Ambulatory Surgery Center Association

  • “We have relied on Checkmate Strategies and the relationships that Cindy Bishop has with key people in the legislature and state agencies. We trust and have confidence that she can get the facts on issues that impact our services and help us to resolve them.“ Bill Price, Past President Lighthouse Louisiana

  • “If you are looking for someone who is honest and hardworking who can take your message and bring it to policymakers, Cindy Bishop is your person. She is incredibly creative and knows how to get things done.” Sue Catchings, Former Chief Executive Officer, Health Centers in Schools

  • “For over two decades our constituency for injured workers in Louisiana relied on Cindy Bishop and Checkmate Strategies to protect the medical rights of our clients. Her dedication and appreciation of the legislative and policy issues affecting our mutual interests were always exceptional. She and her group were instrumental in sustaining fairness and justice in the best interests of Louisiana’s workers comp system and the mutual interests of her clients”. Charles (ChucK) Davoli, JD

  • “Cindy’s ability to build relationships with her clients and advocate for them in the legislative arena is beyond reproach. She dedicates herself to every aspect of the legislative process and is committed to providing services that are rooted in professionalism and transparency.“ Patricia (Pat) Crocker, past president, Child Care Association of Louisiana

Contact Checkmate Strategies Today!

Current and Previous Clients