RVIA’s Advocacy Day Showcases RV Industry’s Impact

FAIRFAX, Va. – Lawmakers on Capitol reacted positively and were receptive to information shared during visits with RV industry advocates at Wednesday’s RV Industry Association (RVIA) Advocacy Day, according to Jason Rano, RVIA vice president of government affairs.

Rano said today the organization achieved a new peak in the number – 120-plus – of members and partners on the Hill and characterized the event as constructive and beneficial.

Considered a cornerstone event each year at RVIA’s Move America Week, Advocacy Day gives RV industry leaders a chance to meet with federal policymakers and forge relationships favorable to the future growth of the RV market.

“At our reception last night that kind of capped the day, we presented the National Legislative Award to Sen. Young (Todd Young, Indiana) who came by and talked with all the advocates,” he said. “At the same time we had Sen. Angus King, from Maine, who is an avid RVer. He wrote a book about his RV adventures and he is the co-chair of the Senate RV Caucus.”

Advocates also heard from Indiana Sen. Mike Braun and Indiana Dist. 2 Congressman Rudy Yakim, whose district encompasses the RV building hub of Elkhart County.

“Just a great event there,” Rano said.

“Yesterday was a great demonstration of the strength and breadth of the RV industry,” he added. “We had over 100 meetings yesterday. We also met with administration officials, the U.S. trade representative office and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to talk about issues impacting the industry.”

Topics included the dealer floorplan interest deduction, the need for GSP reauthorization (renewing the Generalized System of Preferences alleviates the duties the industry pays on imported lauan,) campground modernization, reform of Competitive Need Limitations, the Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act and the farm bill.

“It was a wide range of issues that we covered yesterday with members of Congress and their staffs,” Rano said. “But overall it was a successful day in spreading the message, really, at the heart of it, about the industry and who the industry is and demonstrating the strength and breadth of the industry.”

And while there are no guarantees that the meetings and conversations that took place Wednesday will lead to passage of legislation, “Overall, it was very positive,” Rano said. “One of the things we talk about is the economic impact that the industry has in these states and congressional districts and that often is an eye opener for members of Congress and their staff.”

That is very important information to convey, he said, and carries weight with lawmakers.

“Generally very positive,” he said. “There was a lot of interest in the industry and these issues. I guess I would sum it up and say the government affairs team will be very busy over the next several months following up with all these folks and nailing them down and continuing to encourage them to sign on as co-sponsors, be leaders in these efforts and continue to be great champions of the industry.”

Source: https://rvbusiness.com/rvias-advocacy-day-showcases-rv-industrys-impact/