The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) wrapped up its participation in RVs Move America Week on Wednesday having successfully met with 34 different legislators about the value of RV parks and campgrounds and the RV industry.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) wrapped up its participation in RVs Move America Week on Wednesday having successfully met with 34 different legislators about the value of RV parks and campgrounds and the RV industry.

This year’s RVs Move America Week, hosted by industry partner, the RV Industry Association (RVIA), was attended by 11 representatives of ARVC.

“Every year this week is a fantastic show of unity in our industry,” says Paul Bambei, ARVC president and CEO. “This year, our delegation of campground owners and ARVC staff had important conversations with key legislators from a dozen states and worked together with RV manufacturers and dealers to share our industry’s impressive impact on the U.S. economy.”

The RV Industry Association had announced new data earlier in the week showing the RV industry has a $114 billion impact on the nation’s economy—including $26 billion from RV parks and campgrounds.

Other topics the ARVC delegation discussed with legislators included:

  • Infrastructure improvements that would allow RVers and campers to safely traverse the nation’s roads and bridges on their way to their next adventure;
  • Indirect costs caused by China and Mexico tariffs and the effects on the entire industry, specifically increases seen in various metal-based products necessary in the construction and expansion of RV parks and campgrounds (pedestals, electrical wiring, etc); and
  • Increasing awareness and support for the RV Caucus—a group of legislators who actively support the RV industry as a whole.

“The RV Caucus is an easy way for legislators to show their support for the RV industry and for our industry to clearly and concisely communicate with these legislators when important topics arise,” says Jeff Sims, ARVC’s senior director of public affairs and program advocacy. “ARVC’s goal is to work with our industry partners to successfully invite as many legislators to this important group as possible.”

ARVC had a record number of members submit delegate applications this year, and as interest in joining the ARVC delegation grows each year, the national association is exploring ways to include even more members—especially from partnering states—in future years, Sims says.

ARVC currently has 23 partnering states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

During RVs Move America Week, the ARVC delegation met with the following legislators: 
(**RV Caucus members)

  • Alabama
    • Rep. Robert Aderholt (R)** [AL-04]
  • Colorado
    • Sen. Michael Bennet (D)
    • Sen. Cory Gardner (R)
    • Rep. Jason Crow (D) [CO-06]
  • Indiana
    • Rep. Larry Buschon (R)** [IN-05]
    • Rep. Greg Pence (R)** [IN-06]
    • Rep. Jackie Walorski (R)** [IN-02]
  • Maine
    • Sen. Susan Collins (R)
    • Sen. Angus King** (I)
    • Rep. Shellie Pingree (D) [ME-01]
  • Missouri
    • Sen. Roy Blunt (R)
    • Sen. Josh Hawley (R)
    • Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) [MO-05]
    • Rep. Billy Long (R) [MO-07]
  • Nevada
    • Rep. Dina Titus (R)** [NV-01]
  • Ohio
    • Sen. Sherrod Brown (D)**
    • Sen. Rob Portman (R)
    • Rep. Troy Balderson (R) [OH-12]
  • Pennsylvania
    • Sen. Bob Casey** (D)
    • Sen. Pat Toomey (R)
    • Rep. Susan Wild (D) [PA-07]
  • Tennessee
    • Sen. Lamar Alexander (R)
    • Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R)
    • Rep. Tim Burchett (R) [TN-02]
  • Virginia
    • Sen. Tim Kaine (D)
    • Sen. Mark Warner (D)
    • Rep. Elaine Luria (D) [VA-02]
  • Washington
    • Sen. Maria Cantwell (D)
    • Sen. Patty Murray (D)
    • Rep. Derek Kilmer (D)** [WA-06]
  • Wisconsin
    • Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D)
    • Sen. Ron Johnson (R)
    • Rep. Glenn Grothman (R)** [WI-06]
    • Rep. Mark Pocan (D) [WI-02]

Check out photos from this week!

If you are interested in participating in next year’s RVs Move America Week as part of the ARVC delegation contact Jeff Sims directly at Jeff.Sims@arvc.org.