Government Affairs and AOA Success Stories

Success in Government Affairs
Even with all the challenges, we have much to celebrate as an industry. Together we have accomplished many remarkable victories on behalf of the industry. It is useful to look back once in a while to remind ourselves of what we have accomplished together. Here are just a few of the highlights since our humble beginnings in 1991.

• We coordinated the industry response to Forest Service permitting directives that would have disrupted business operations for many special use permittees.
• We helped defend against efforts in Congress to repeal the prohibition on state and local taxes on navigable waterways.
• Preferential right of renewal for outfitters operating under contract in national parks was written into the National Park Omnibus Management Act of 1998 as a direct result of several years of work by AO. We also worked on the subsequent rule-making to ensure that this provision was not watered-down.
• We reversed efforts to charge permittees in national forests road use fees in addition to permit fees, a provision that was in the original, introduced version of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004. The final bill specifically prohibited those fees.
• We also had the bill modified in other ways to provide more input by those paying fees on the uses of fee revenues.
• We successfully promoted ten-year permit terms and categorical exclusions upon permit renewal for Forest Service and BLM permits.
• Many members have been helped along the way with local issues and problems.
• There is much, much more, but these are some of the highlights.

Business and Management Benefits include:

• Marketing and business plan templates;
• Marketing studies;
• Managers' handbook;
• 40 Professional reports for business owners and more;
• An unbeatable Visa/MasterCard processing program when rates and service are compared.

Risk Management Resources and Savings on Insurance

• Savings on liability insurance for many members through a new insurance program that provides 15% credits on premiums for AOA membership;
• Risk management manual, emergency evacuation plans, media response plans, and much more.

Marketing and Sales Tools to Grow Your Business

• Our annual Marketing and Management Conference (Confluence®) brings many new business strategies, networking opportunities, and fresh ideas for your business. According to many who attend, the experience renews their drive and vigor to succeed in this sometimes tough business;
• Seminars on Internet Marketing, and integrated marketing and online advertising strategies by professionals with experience in our industry;
• A marketing plan template walks you through a comprehensive process of developing marketing plan (it's very comprehensive);
• AOA conducted Reservationist Sales Training and other seminars in various locations around the country bringing state of the art training to your doorstep;
• Members receive a free listing on our consumer site http://www.adventurevacation.com

We'll keep you up to speed on critical government issues:

• By using the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 some outfitters have been able to escape the brutal taxation that threatened the viability of their business. AOA is on the watch for efforts by some local governments to repeal this provision. One such effort was in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill, which failed in 109th session of Congress.
• Forest Service permitting and fee policies are being rewritten and AOA will lead the industry response to those proposals.
• Rules for issuing Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) for NPS outfitters are still in limbo with initial guidelines stipulating that all CUA's grossing over $100,000 should go to contracts unless a waiver is provided. We are looking for solutions to this potential debacle.
• Two bills in Congress seek to derive additional fee revenue from commercial activities on lands manage by the Secretary of Interior and the Forest Service. See more information on H.R. 3058 and H.R. 3094 under the Government Affairs folder at www.americaoutdoors.org The National Association of Counties is pushing a bill to raise $4.2 billion from "commercial activities" on national forests by 2012. Currently, the Forest Service receives a total of $500 million in fee revenue, including fees from non commercial recreation users, mining and timber receipts, land use fees and other sources of revenue.

These are just some of the hot buttons. Join us in fighting for your success!! Go to www.americaoutdoors.org for an online membership form.

David Brown, Executive Director