Brunswick and the MRAA Partner for Healthcare and Extended Service Contracts

Brunswick Corporation’s dealer services program, Brunswick Dealer Advantage (BDA), and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, have announced a partnership which will provide Brunswick marine dealers with access to healthcare options through MRAA Health, while providing MRAA dealers with access to extended service contract sales through Brunswick Product Protection.

“MRAA and BDA are both dedicated to providing dealerships with the resources they need to thrive, and we are excited to be partnering,” explained Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA. “The MRAA Health and Brunswick Product Protection opportunities now available through this partnership are just the beginning of the benefits Brunswick dealers and MRAA dealer members will experience as we continue to align and share resources.”

Facilitated by Bukaty Companies, the MRAA Health program delivers reduced-cost health insurance to businesses across the United States. Bukaty Companies is a preferred partner for several major insurance providers, and their relationships, passed through the MRAA Health program, makes this program available in all 50 States. MRAA Health will now be a key program available through BDA, which is designed to help Brunswick dealers attract more customers, reward and retain employees, and improve operational efficiencies.

“Over the years, Brunswick dealers have continued to request an offering from the BDA program to help solve their dealership healthcare needs,” said Kirsten Schuchardt, director of sales and dealer services for Boating Services Network. “We are excited to be working with the MRAA and Bukaty Companies to be able to provide them with a real solution.”

In addition to health insurance benefits, Bukaty Companies offers dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life, critical illness, accident and identity theft insurance. This unified program also extends COBRA, FSA, HSA, FMLA opportunities, as well as wellness programs, HR and compliance support and training, in customized programs that best fit each individual dealer’s needs.

“One of the things that we like the best about this program is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Nikki Duffney, MRAA member development manager. “Bukaty Companies really takes the pain out of finding the right insurance program and delivers our members the absolute best program for them, their business and their employees. And to date, we’re proud to report that our members are seeing significant savings.”

Brunswick marine dealers interested in accessing an insurance quote from Bukaty Companies can log onto the BDA website at www.brunswickdealeradvantage.com and fill out the simple, one-page quote request form.  To activate a quote from Bukaty Companies, Brunswick dealers will need to be active MRAA members. To confirm membership or to become a member, Brunswick dealers can call 763-315-8043 or go to www.mraa.com/memberships.  

As part of this partnership, MRAA members will now have access to Passport and Passport Premier extended engine and accessory protection plans for recreational power boats through Brunswick Product Protection.  Passport and Passport Premier offer industry-leading breadth of coverage at competitive pricing to the dealer, often adding significant profits to each boat sale while helping participating dealers to deliver a first-class purchase experience. Important downstream service revenues are also realized as most claims work is returned to the dealership where the customer bought the extended protection.

“We are very pleased to make our product protection brand available to MRAA Dealers, all with the superior service levels our existing dealers already receive,” said Jason Cochran, director of sales and operations for Brunswick Product Protection. “We support dealers’ total business by covering engines and accessories on most types of recreational power boats, and now we will be able to support MRAA dealers as well.”

The Passport program provides competitively priced, entry-level coverage for almost all brands and types of power boats.  Passport Premier offers the program’s most comprehensive engine component coverage. This includes unique non-defective engine breakdown protection against overheating, scored pistons and much more. The accessory plans protect the major components throughout the vessel and are custom tailored to the customer’s boat type. MRAA members interested in offering the program can call Brunswick Product Protection at 800-950-3808.

MRAA Seeks 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Applications

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has opened the nomination period for the 2nd Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes marine retail professionals who have made fundamental, significant and sustained contributions to the marine industry.

Last year, Don Galey, Galey’s Marine, Bakersfield, Calif., was named the first recipient of the award. Galey contributed to several major milestones within the industry, including the creation of the MRAA, the launch of Spader Business Management / MRAA 20 Groups, and the introduction of floorplan financing for marine dealers.

The selection of the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be made on the basis of the nominee’s contributions to the industry; the lasting impact of those contributions; and the demonstration of a lifetime commitment to the business of selling and/or servicing boats, and the delivery of an outstanding boating lifestyle to consumers.

“It was an honor to present Don Galey with the first-ever MRAA Lifetime Achievement award in a room full of industry professionals who have been impacted by his life’s work,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “As a result of individual leaders like Don, our industry continues to evolve and strengthen for future generations. We look forward to recognizing another individual this year for their lasting impact on marine retailing.”

The award will be presented on December 9, 2018, on the opening night of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, at the MRAA Opening Night Awards Celebration. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit here.

Nominations for the MRAA Lifetime Achievement Award may be submitted by anyone, including self-nominations. Nominations may not be made anonymously, as the burden of offering evidence of merit falls on the nominator. Those nominations should include the nominee’s resume and/or career summary; a comprehensive description of the nominee’s major contributions to marine retailing, with supporting documentation; and at least three letters of endorsement, providing further evidence of the significance and magnitude of the nominee’s professional achievements.

Anyone who lives up to these criteria is eligible for consideration, although individuals selected for this award should normally be in or near their retirement. The award may be received posthumously.

Regal & Nautique of Orlando Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Announces Major Building Expansion Plans

A crowd of more than 300 including key marine industry leaders and watersports VIPs and athletes recently gathered to celebrate and toast top-ranked boat dealer Regal & Nautique of Orlando’s 10th anniversary in Central Florida. The event was highlighted by the official announcement and grand unveiling of major new dealership building expansion plans slated for 2019.

According to owner and GM Jeff Husby, Regal & Nautique of Orlando will build a new $2.5 million, 15,000 square foot retail showroom and service center immediately adjacent to its existing I-4 facing property located at 2226 Paseo Avenue. The new facility at 2300 Division Street will expand the dealership’s total footprint from 8100 square feet on 2.07 acres to an estimated 23,100 square feet on 3.4 acres, right in the heart of Orlando.

Husby notes that the new building will feature Nautique Boats exclusively and will sport up to 16 models in an air-conditioned showroom. It will also house five air-controlled service bays, with room for future expansion. The dealership is presently conferring with senior members of Nautique’s corporate leadership team with the goal to create a spectacular, world-class Nautique showcase.

Upon launch of the new facility, the current property is expected to undergo some minor renovations and will become a dedicated showroom and service facility for Regal Boats, along with Moomba Boats.           

“We appreciate the fantastic support and well wishes received from our many friends and colleagues in the marine industry, along with scores of loyal customers who have helped us become the top sport boat market share leader in Central Florida,” said Husby. “I’m really proud of my team and all of their hard work and effort over the past ten years that allows us to facilitate continued growth. Our new expansion will allow us to further elevate the customer experience by offering dedicated sales, service and parts for all the brands we represent. This will significantly enhance our inventories and ability to expedite service with a more dedicated focus.”

Regal & Nautique of Orlando, founded in 2008 by Husby and partners Marc Hooker and Bob Secrist, is an award-winning retailer ranked in the Top 20 dealers of North America by Boating Industry Magazine.  The dealership is Nautique’s #2 dealer in North America and Regal’s 2018 #1 Worldwide CSI Dealer, also ranked #6 in Worldwide Sales. The dealership is a Five-Star Marine Certified Dealer and a multi-year recipient of the “CSI Excellence in Dealer Service” awards by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Regal & Nautique of Orlando has also received regional distinction as the 5x winner of the “Best Boat Dealer in Orlando” by Orlando Style Magazine, and a 4x “Best Bets” recipient by the Orlando Sentinel.

Dealer to Dealer: September

What do you do to foster teamwork between dealership departments?

“We provide lunch for our entire crew, every day, 12 months a year. When we are extremely busy, the crew will eat on the run and not leave the dealership. When things are little slower we gather around while eating and have a daily meeting from all departments in order to address problems and listen to suggestions. We work with a local restaurant to provide lunch daily for $60.00. Granted it’s close to $20k a year, but all it takes is a couple missed boat sales or infuriated customers because of the lack of staff over the lunch hour to cost us even more!” – Dennis Robbins, Robbins Marine

 

 

Each month, MRAA connects with dealership management on a timely and relevant topic and publishing their insights at MRAA.com. Tell us what you have to say about this month’s question by commenting below and participating in the conversation. Also, watch for next month’s question.

CMTA Surmounts Outreach, Educational, and Scholarship Programs to Combat Workforce Crisis

Essex, CT. – There are job opportunities within the recreational boating segment that are going unfilled, and hundreds of them are here in Connecticut. Statistics from the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas estimate that by 2019, there will be over 30,000 budgeted positions available nationwide but left open within the sector due to a lack of applicants, appropriate training and educational programs.

“Marine trades are often overlooked as a career, but they do offer full-time, year-round job opportunities, a variety of occupations, certification, degrees, and clear lifetime career paths, especially for those in technical or mechanical positions,” according to Kathleen Burns, Executive Director of the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA).

To further foster educational and workforce development opportunities in the recreational boating industry in Connecticut, help fill existing positions and prepare the next generation of potential employees, the CMTA is surmounting new initiatives and expanding upon some of its long-running programs. The CMTA and many other boating related state and trade organizations have also supported the development of an instructional piece dedicated to growing the workforce, targeting national, regional and employer-level implementation: Strategy 10+1: A Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce.

The newly formed CMTA Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization, expands the CMTA’s seven year old scholarship program, now to include grants, and program and curriculum development. It is the sole mission of the Foundation to fill both the skills gap and marine workforce shortage through scholarship, program development and training. The CMTA Annual Golf Tournament held in August at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield, Connecticut was the first event to benefit the new foundation, and a $1,500 scholarship from the MRAA was announced which will be awarded in the area of technical training. A joint press conference was held with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) opening day of the Progressive Norwalk Boat Show, which NMMA produces, to announce the CMTA Foundation’s formation, its initiatives, and NMMA’s commitment to encourage manufacturers and dealers to participate in its efforts.  

Randy Jennings of Beacon Point Marine is serving as the CMTA Foundation’s Chairman, Shannon McKenzie of the Mystic Seaport Museum is Vice Chairman, Dave Croker of Crocker’s Boatyard is Secretary/Treasurer, and other members include Scott Bowden of Port Niantic Marina, Ron Helbig of Noank Village Boatyard and Lynn Oliver of Brewer/Safe Harbor Marinas. CMTA member input is being sought, and the board is undertaking a needs assessment to further develop the concept of the foundation.

Jennings, a product of Shelton High School and the Bridgeport Aquaculture School is an example of the type of career paths available in boating. His parents owned a boat, and at the age of 12 he started working on the gas dock at a small family run marina in Shelton. He moved on to Beacon’s Shelton yard while in high school, simultaneously finishing high school and the Aquaculture program. He continued to work at Beacon, graduated from New England Institute of Technology with a marine technology degree and has quickly risen through the company from mechanic to now serving as Service Manager.  

“There are many misperceptions about working in our industry and it’s important for us to get the word out that there are plenty of jobs available, and lots of opportunities in various capacities. Working in recreational boating is not just a part time job, but it can be a career for a lifetime,” Jennings said. “The businesses that we work for are not large corporations, and for the most part are family run organizations. It is an industry in which employees are cultivated and treated like family,” he added.

According to Burns, the workforce pressures affect approximately 537 small businesses across the state which facilitate the purchasing, storing, servicing and caring for boats. “The workforce shortages will potentially stagnate a growing industry from an economic stand point. The realities of our members’ day-to-day struggles are that they are small businesses, averaging between $1 million to $2 million per year in sales, with an average of 15 workers. Without sufficient staffing and technical expertise, they cannot service their customers and run their businesses to the best of their ability.”

The CMTA and NMMA hosted the their third annual Career Day at the Norwalk show, September 21, as an informational “Boating Careers More than a Job” session for students. Burns was joined by Lynn Oliver and manufacturer representatives to discuss the various opportunities in boating and job openings in the state. There are currently significant shortages in filling positions of licensed captains, as well as certified marine technicians and mechanics, with a list of openings available at http://ctmarinetrades.org/education/.

The Strategy 10+1 guide outlines the challenges facing the boating segment; that as an industry, recreational boating provides a fun, lifestyle based career pathway that can be very attractive to the rising employment pool, but that cultivating a talent pipeline requires that current marine industry, employers commit to an active role in training for the potential workforce, for new hires and for their existing workforce.   

According to McKenzie, who serves as Director of Watercraft Programs at the Mystic Seaport Museum, collaborating with school districts and technical schools across the state is going to be a key initiative for the CMTA Foundation. “We need to create career awareness, provide support of training programs through hands on assistance and publicity, as well as support STEM programs that compliment boat building, construction or mechanical training programs,” she said.  

CMTA Foundation outreach and engagement has already been made with The Sound School (New Haven), the J. M. Wright Technical High School (Stamford), Norwalk Community College, Bridgeport Aquaculture School, Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School (Groton), and Waterford High School. In the past, the CMTA’s Hartford Boat Show has also hosted student boat building programs from the Thompson Public School District and A Piece of the Pie (Hartford), as well as conducted career fairs at the show.

Both Burns and Jennings noted that since the July 1 sales tax reduction on boats, motors and trailers, Connecticut is seeing boaters return to its waters, an influx of new boaters, and dealers and marinas are reporting brisk sales. But the activity of the season has created a void in the workplace that the CMTA is trying to fill. “While many of our members already had budgeted open positions, the brisk business has exasperated the demand, and we want to help foster as many individuals as we can that are interested in pursuing opportunities in recreational boating to help them find a career path, hone their skills and to be able to fill these positions,” Burn said.

In addition to the CMTA Foundation initiatives, The CMTA is working with many of the participants of the Strategy 10+1 guide and other associations to build national and regional networksthat include marine employers, schools, related industries and suppliers that can spread the word as to the current openings and future possibilities of career development in the recreational boating sector. At its 50th Annual Hartford Boat show in January 2019, the CMTA is also planning to highlight boating workforce opportunities, school and training programs through its second annual Windows to the Future section within its exhibit hall.  

As a 501(C)(3) organization, The CMTA Foundation is accepting donations and endowments. For more information, contact Kathleen Burns at kathleen@ctmarinetrades.org.

MRAA and ORR Support Sound Trade Policies, Warn Against Tariff Impacts

While the outdoor recreation industry supports fair international trade policies and efforts to protect U.S. business interests in the global market, recent trade policy developments have threatened continued growth in this critical $673 billion industry. We understand the Administration’s efforts to safeguard U.S. intellectual property and balance unfair trade deficits, however recent tariffs have prompted significant cost increases from our steel, aluminum and component part suppliers leading to reduced domestic sales while putting our export-based businesses at risk. These tariffs ultimately result in higher consumer prices for outdoor recreational products, as well as tightened profit margins for the growing industry.

The outdoor recreation sector is comprised of a diverse collection of U.S. and foreign manufacturers of an array of products frequently used by outdoor recreationists. These products – including hiking and camping equipment, as well as a variety of other motorized and non-motorized recreational products – are engineered and designed to meet exacting U.S. environmental and safety standards, many of which have been adopted by our trade partners. Some of these products/components are manufactured in the U.S. and exported to foreign markets, while others are produced abroad and imported to the U.S. Given this reality, these manufacturers are significantly impacted by the imposition of domestic and retaliatory foreign tariffs on both component parts and finished products. Further, price increases and supply chain disruptions that result from tariffs will likely make U.S. manufacturers less competitive in the global marketplace.

Combined, the robust outdoor recreation industry comprises 2% of the U.S. GDP – surpassing other sectors such as agriculture, petroleum and coal, and computer and electronic products. The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported in February 2018 that the outdoor recreation sector is an economic powerhouse that supports 4.3 million jobs, and accounts for $673 billion in annual gross domestic output. In addition, BEA found the outdoor recreation economy grew by 3.8 percent in 2016, exceeding the 2.8 percent growth of the overall U.S. economy during the same period. Numerous initiatives and efforts of the Administration have helped fuel the outdoor recreation industry’s growth, but current trade policies now pose significant challenges.

ORR continues to work with the Administration and Congress to emphasize the impact of trade policy on the growing outdoor recreation industry as policymakers strive to address a structural, global issue and legislate in this arena. It is clear that outdoor recreation is one of the largest engines of economic growth that consistently creates many jobs for hardworking rural Americans while also reducing the trade deficit; however, trade uncertainty is threatening this trajectory. ORR will be a valuable resource to the Administration and the Congress in the development of impactful and sound trade policies.

Learn More.

 

If you have any questions about legislative issues, or something happening in your state, please contact Will Higgins.

Communication Is Key, Right?

How many times have we heard the cliché that “communication is key”? Or, that it’s better to over-communicate to avoid misunderstandings?

In customer relationships, it is not enough to merely communicate.  Here’s a recent experience of mine that I believe proves that how often you are communicating with your customers and what you are actually saying, is even more important. Is your message sincere? Or is it just lip service?   

Last summer, a storm rolled through Minneapolis and caused damage to our siding and roof. After many “storm chasers” knocked on our door to offer services, my husband and I decided to go with a contractor who was recommended from a friend, and who lived in our area. We had an initial meeting to discuss the work that was needed, and decided to add-on some additional home improvement items. Our contract was signed and we were excited to have the work begin.

And then we waited. And waited. And waited.

Just waiting for the work to begin was agonizing. We signed our contract in August, with the promise that the work would be completed in time for Thanksgiving. But we waited. Waited for materials to be delivered, for a dumpster to be delivered, for any communication of a timeline. Anything.

We finally reached out to our contractor, who instead of taking a proactive approach and communicating with us a plan about the work schedule, left us hanging with multiple excuses of “I haven’t heard from the siders yet” or “I’m waiting for the shingles to be delivered” or “the materials were delayed from the factory” or “I ordered the wrong garage door,” or … or … or. At one point, we actually received a message that said: “We haven’t forgotten about you. Sorry about my crummy communication skills. I’ll let you know as soon as I know a better timeline.”

After every excuse, we waited days to weeks with no communication or updates, which caused us to become upset and frustrated. It seemed as if we were always the ones to be reaching out to him, instead of him contacting us first. But more importantly, when he did finally respond to us, he’d make promises he wouldn’t deliver on. So we lost faith in his words.

So the question here is, how do you stay in touch with your customers? When their boat is in for service, do you wait hours, days, a week or even a month before providing an update? When that part finally shows up, do you let the customer know, or do you just let the technician know? When your customer’s new boat is on order, are you diligent about communicating updates from the factory with them?

It is not enough to just communicate. That is the basic expectation. What you say and how you say it is just the first step. If you wait until the customer asks, you’re not meeting expectations. You need to be proactive with your communication. Think through what it’s like to be the customer and how you can exceed expectations and deliver an incredible buying and ownership experience. And never forget that your follow-through — what you do after you make the promises – is what truly defines the quality of the customer experience.

To attend or not attend MDCE

According to science making a decision is a 7-Step process. Let’s say that’s true for deciding whether to attend MDCE or not. But really, it shouldn’t be that hard. The answer is yes. To humor you and ourselves, we’ll empower you with the information to make this decision, step…by…step…

Step 1: Identify the Decision

  • Not attend MDCE (Not probable)
  • Attend MDCE (Probable)
  • Attend and bring teammates along (strongest probability)

Step 2: Gather relevant information

  • Like world-class education? > 
  • Like in-depth workshops? >
  • Like Dealer-to-Dealer Roundtable discussions for moving the industry forward by working through obstacles and opportunities with other dealers? >
  • Like the current MDCE schedule, event list, educational line-up, and a grand list of testimonials both written and spoken?

Step 3: Identify the alternatives

  • None?
  • Name something bigger, more dynamic and beneficial than MDCE

Step 4: Weigh the evidence

  • We went out and hired super-secret personal detectives to investigate the MDCE, this is what they said… just kidding, we didn’t hire fake detectives, these are REAL people, REAL attendees and these are their stories.

Step 5: Choose among alternatives

  • The alternative: sit at home in your dealership while your competitors better themselves for 3 days straight
  • The alternative: sit at home in your dealership and listen to customers complain that you don’t have the ZL-4 in electric blue.
  • PS: we have the tools to manage situations like this like the customer-centric dealership that you are and should be.
  • PPS: ZL-4 is not a real boat model, we googled it and Jay-Z came up.

These may be great, but how cool would it be to step away, engage with world-class education, connect with over 1,000 attendees looking to make the industry the best it can be and discover your dealership’s true potential?

Step 6: Take action

  • REGISTER
  • Or keep reading and then register

Step 7: Review your decision and its consequences

  • You go, meet new people, gain new insights and learn a ton to help your dealership be successful in 2019.
  • You don’t go and you risk asking yourself what you could have been if you had attended.

After all this reading, was it worth it? Or was your decision made before you even read the list? We think you probably knew you were meant to attend and the answer is yes. Yes, to engaging with the opportunities offered at the MDCE to challenge and drive you and your dealership to improvement. Yes, to connecting with dealers and partners that will change the way you view your dealership. Yes, to discovering what you and your dealership can do in 2019 and beyond.

See you there.

MRAA History: Phil Keeter

The 2011 MRAA Annual Conference celebrated the career of Phil Keeter, who retired as MRAA President. Keeter was one of the founders of MRAA and was employed by the association for more than 20 years.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Welcomes Final Release of First-Ever Government Statistics on Industry

Washington, D.C. – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) today welcomed the final report on the first-ever government statistics recognizing the outdoor recreation industry as a significant contributor to the U.S. economy.

The report, federally funded by the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Commerce, was released today by Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The new measurement – called the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) – would not have been possible without steadfast leadership from U.S. Senators Corey Gardner (R-CO) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). It finds that the outdoor recreation industry had a U.S. GDP contribution of 2.2 percent and annual gross economic output of $734 billion in 2016 (the last available year of data). This economic contribution level is greater than other key economic sectors, including the mining, utilities and chemical products manufacturing industries. In addition, with 4.5 million jobs, the outdoor recreation sector generates similar employment as other major job creators in the United States, including hospitals, transportation and warehousing, and educational services.

Today’s release was the final, revised report, following prototype statistics released in February. The updated report reflects expert comments and feedback solicited by BEA and submitted by a wide range of organizations in the outdoor recreation economy.

The release of the data is a significant milestone for the outdoor recreation industry, which has long called for its sector to be formally included in government economic analysis. To mark the announcement, ORR held a Capitol Hill briefing today with key federal officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Bureau of Economic Analysis Director Brian Moyer, Department of Interior Senior Advisor Rick May, and a video message from Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT).

“Today’s report provides official government recognition of the outdoor recreation industry as a powerful force in the American economy,” said Thom Dammrich, ORR chair and president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “As one of the nation’s largest economic sectors, it is critical that our national leaders do everything they can to keep the economic engine running at full speed. That includes common sense policies to expand public access, modernize infrastructure and remove barriers to efficient and effective public-private partnerships. We thank the teams at the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account for their tireless work in making today’s report possible.”

The BEA’s analysis also found outdoor recreation to have a strong wage growth rate of 4.3 percent between 2015-2016, which surpasses the overall U.S. wage growth of 2.7 percent during the same period.

The analysis also concluded that recreational boating and fishing produced the highest economic output of all of the recreational areas considered in the study, accounting for nearly $37 billion in real gross output in 2016.

“The importance of this study cannot be overstated,” said Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “The fact that boating and fishing is an outright leader in the recreation economy legitimizes a belief that those of us in the industry have long held: Recreational boating is not just a great American pastime, it is also an integral and important part of the American economy at large.”

“The outdoor recreation industry contribution to our nation’s GDP has more than pulled its weight, and we’ve been a major engine behind the recent economic growth rate.” said Frank Hugelmeyer, ORR vice chair and president of the RV Industry Association. “Due to its importance to the overall economy and especially rural communities, outdoor recreation deserves to be a priority at national and state levels. ORR looks forward to working collaboratively with leaders to implement growth-oriented policies that will ensure our industry remains a strong GDP contributor and jobs generator for years to come.”

ORR strongly supports continuing and expanding ORSA. Senate legislation funding the Department of Commerce operations for fiscal year 2019, beginning October 1, 2018, specifically includes on-going funding for ORSA and its expansion to generate state-level projections. ORR has called upon the House to follow the Senate’s lead on ORSA and thus implement the Congressional direction contained in the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016.

The full report issued by BEA can be found here.

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is the nation’s premier coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations. Please visit www.RecreationRoundtable.org for more information on the coalition’s activities and membership.