The National Marine Manufacturers Association joined forces with more than 10 other outdoor recreation groups, representing nearly 90 percent of the outdoor economy, to work with the Trump administration’s transition team on policies that will help those industries thrive.
The outdoor recreation industry contributes about $646 billion a year to the nation’s gross domestic product, about 4 percent of the U.S. economy, according to a 2012 Outdoor Industry Association report.
The Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable sent a letter Nov. 16 to the Trump administration transition team outlining four strategic efforts it will pursue on the industry’s behalf according to Trade Only.
“From 2005 to 2011, the outdoor recreation economy grew approximately 5 percent annually, despite the Great Recession,” the letter stated. “The very real potential for significantly growing the outdoor recreation economy will directly benefit the millions of Americans whose jobs are sustained by this industry and the U.S. businesses that manufacture American-made products for recreational use. A 2012 outdoor recreation study showed 6.1 million direct jobs in the outdoor recreation industry.”
The Senate joined the House of Representatives in unanimously passing the Outdoor REC Act, a bill that quantifies the size of the outdoor economy, including recreational boating — which represents billions of dollars in economic activity and hundreds of thousands of jobs, according to the NMMA.
During the coming weeks the roundtable will share numerous white papers that address important areas of focus for maintaining a healthy outdoor economy.
The NMMA said it will make these available in Currents and on nmma.org and encourages all industry stakeholders to take note and get involved. The group is asking industry stakeholders to attend the American Boating Congress May 15-17 in Washington, D.C., to learn more about the BoatPAC and sign up for Boating United, a grassroots effort aimed at keeping industry members informed about issues.
The NMMA expects President Obama to sign the Outdoor REC Act into law before the year ends.
Initiatives the group will focus on include growing diverse participation, expanding access and promoting conservation.
Outdoor industries involved in the roundtable include recreational vehicles, boating, angling, hunting, camping, archery, shooting sports, towable and motorized recreational vehicles, power sports and outdoor equipment gear, and apparel.
In addition to NMMA, the industries are represented by the American Horse Council, American Recreation Coalition, American Sportfishing Association, Archery Trade Association, International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, Motorcycle Industry Council, Outdoor Industry Association, National Park Hospitality Association, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, National RV Dealers Association, Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America.
