WASHINGTON, D.C. – The RV Industry Association recently joined forces with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) Business Council for a high-impact legislative fly-in in Washington, D.C., according to an RVIA News & Insights post. The two-day event brought together a diverse coalition of outdoor industry leaders to advocate for the continued growth and stability of the $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy (see: Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Members Convene in D.C. for previous reporting).

Advancing Key Industry Priorities

The primary objective of the fly-in was to deliver a unified message to federal agencies and congressional leadership regarding the vital role outdoor recreation plays in national economic health and community well-being. Representatives from the RV industry met with a bipartisan slate of influential offices, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

Central to the discussions was the implementation of the EXPLORE Act and the ongoing importance of the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF). These initiatives are critical for maintaining and modernizing infrastructure on public lands – the very places where RVers seek high-quality outdoor experiences.

High-Level Engagement

The itinerary featured deep-dive sessions with the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR) and the Department of the Interior. A cornerstone of the event was a meeting at the White House with the Domestic Policy Council and the National Economic Council, where industry leaders emphasized the need for sustained investment in outdoor access.

Winnebago Vice President of Industry and Government Relations and Chair of the RV Industry Association Government Affairs Committee Chad Reece was among the key industry figures participating in the advocacy efforts.

“I was very pleased with the fly-in and the opportunity to engage with offices outside our usual purview,” said Reece. “It was a valuable chance to share the RV industry’s perspective on the positive economic influence the Legacy Restoration Fund has had, particularly in supporting the vitality of rural and gateway communities.”

Looking Ahead

By speaking with a collective voice alongside partners in boating, fishing, and powersports, the RV Industry Association reinforced that outdoor recreation is not just a pastime, but a massive economic driver. The momentum gained from these meetings will be essential as the industry continues to push for policies that ensure public lands remain accessible and well-maintained for generations of RVers to come.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and the wife of Japan’s ambassador to the U.S. planted the first two cherry trees in Washington, D.C.

The more than 3,000 trees were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo, a symbol of international friendship between the two cities.

The two women planted the trees along the northwest wall of the Tidal Basin, where they still stand today.

By 1938, the trees had become so popular that when construction began on the Jefferson Memorial, around 150 society ladies chained themselves to the trees to protect them. President Franklin Roosevelt dubbed the incident the “Cherry Tree Rebellion” and promised the women the trees would be transplanted instead.

D.C. is now home to nearly 4,000 cherry trees.

Today marks the start of the four-week-long Cherry Blossom Festival, the longest-running festival in the city. The festival will celebrate 100 years next year.

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