Last week, 114 participating advocates and guides took part in 101 meetings with senators from 27 states and representatives from 54 different districts on issues critical to the growth of the industry. The meetings took place during Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, a day organized by the Government Affairs team, which places the RV industry agenda front and center, and capped off RVs Move America Week.
Advocacy Day was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic restrictions that barred access to House and Senate buildings.
The event began with multiple days of committee meetings The RV industry’s growth was captured by the release of the new RVs Move America Economic Impact Study, revealing an overall annual economic impact to the U.S. economy of $140 billion, supporting nearly 680,000 jobs and paying more than $48 billion in wages. The impact is a 23% increase in economic output in the past three years.
The $140 billion total annual RV industry economic impact includes:
- $73.7 billion generated by RV manufacturers and suppliers
- $35.7 billion by RV campgrounds and related travel
- $30.5 billion by RV sales and service activities
In addition to the economic impact, the RV industry contributes $13.6 billion in federal, state and local taxes.
During the event, RV industry members who made exceptional contributions to the success of the RV industry were recognized. RVIA Chair Jeff Rutherford presented several annual awards honoring exceptional achievements in the areas of RV standards, education, and service to the industry. Awardees included:
- Distinguished Achievement in RV Standards Award: Tim Schlabach, Thor Industries
- National Education Service Award: Doug Gaeddert, Forest River
- David J. Humphreys RV Industry Unity Award: Garry Enyart, Onan/Cummins
- Distinguished Service to the RV Industry Award: Kevin Phillips, Thetford Corp./Airxcel
Attendees also heard from notable speakers including Bret Baier, the host of Special Report with Bret Baier on the Fox News Channel; Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Report; and a special panel on our nation’s public and private campgrounds.
As the impact of RV industry continues to grow, its influence in Washington is vital for the future success of the industry, RVIA said.
RV industry advocates meeting with congressional representatives urged: supporting the bipartisan America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (S.3266); establishing grant and incentive programs for state and local governments, as well as the private sector, to build a robust rural network of EV charging stations; and reauthorizing the GSP program with a six-year or longer renewal term and inclusion of all Indonesian lauan.
According to RVIA, Capitol Hill discussions were extremely positive, as legislators and their staff recognized the fundamental change happening in the way Americans are prioritizing time in the great outdoors and embracing the freedom that comes with RVing.
