Eighteen campground owners and operators from across the United States met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., following the inaugural OHI Connect event, participating in a Hill Day organized by OHI to advocate on behalf of the outdoor hospitality industry.
The delegation, which included business owners, managers, and consultants, engaged with 25 Senate and House offices to discuss legislative priorities affecting their operations, such as tax relief, fee reductions, and the impacts of tariffs on campground businesses.
“My recent trip to Capitol Hill was an invaluable experience. I learned a great deal about the issues our industry is currently facing and what can be done to fix them. I also gained a deeper understanding of the legislative process and saw firsthand how decisions made at the federal level directly impact our campgrounds,” said Amanda Metz of Bellcore Commercial, who is affiliated with Island Retreat RV Park, Luxury RV Resort, and Birmingham South RV Park in Alabama.
“The chance to speak with legislators and advocate for our parks was really empowering. I highly recommend that every campground owner or operator make a similar trip at some point to better understand the challenges and opportunities we face as an industry,” Metz added.
The event provided a platform for direct communication between policymakers and those operating within the outdoor hospitality sector. OHI officials said the effort aimed to put faces and voices to the data and policies often discussed in committee rooms.
Participants in the Hill Day included Ali Rasmussen, Amanda Metz-Santos, Andrew Frank, Jacob Klatt, Jim Button, Joey Button, Joe Moore, Katie Mendonca, Kitty Winship, Michael Roman, Michelle Fleming, Mike Harrison, Nicole Burrell, Ollie Gauthier, Sadie Werley, and Taylor Nutbrown, representing a diverse cross-section of the industry.
They were joined by David Basler, OHI’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs; Andrew Mills, OHI’s full-time lobbyist and owner of Lone Tree Strategies; Paul Bambei, OHI’s President and CEO; and Jaqueline Gloria, OHI’s Vice President of Operations.
“Hill Days like this one are so important to our industry and to OHI’s advocacy efforts in D.C. because they give legislators a chance to hear real stories directly from the mouths of real campground owners,” said Basler.
OHI officials said feedback from participating members emphasized the value of experiencing the legislative process firsthand and engaging directly with policymakers who influence federal regulation and funding.