The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) has convened its Business Council and association members in Washington, D.C., for a high-impact fly-in, bringing together leaders from across the industry to engage directly with Congress, federal agencies, and senior White House officials. The goal is to emphasize the importance of this defining moment for America's outdoor recreation economy.
New data from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that outdoor recreation is a $1.3 trillion economic powerhouse, supporting 5.2 million jobs and creating thriving economies and jobs in every state. This highlights the significant contribution of the industry to the country's overall economic health.
However, industry leaders also emphasized a more nuanced reality: growth is beginning to slow amid broader economic headwinds. This makes this moment not just one of opportunity, but of urgency, as the industry seeks to maintain momentum and ensure long-term resilience.
Business certainty and strategic, sustained access and infrastructure investment — particularly on the public lands and waters that underpin the entire outdoor economy — will be critical to achieving these goals. The industry is calling for a more integrated approach to national policy conversations around economic resilience, infrastructure, and health.
Industry leaders rallied around a focused set of priorities during the fly-in, which reflect a broader vision: one where outdoor recreation is fully integrated into national policy conversations. These priorities aim to strengthen the foundation of outdoor recreation in the United States.
A central focus of the fly-in was the success — and future — of the Legacy Restoration Fund. Established through the Great American Outdoors Act and signed into law by President Trump in 2020, the LRF has already delivered transformative results, funding projects nationwide and improving critical infrastructure across public lands and waters.
The investments made by the LRF have enhanced access, supported local economies, and improved the visitor experience. From trails and campgrounds to marinas and visitor facilities, these improvements have had a lasting impact on communities across the country.
Reauthorizing and strengthening the LRF now represents a generational opportunity to build on that success and ensure public lands and waters are equipped to meet growing demand as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The industry is eager to see continued investment in this critical area.
The ORR also convened a first-of-its-kind meeting with the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR), bringing together federal agency leaders, top outdoor industry and technology companies, and stakeholders to advance collaboration on recreation data, technology, and access. This marks an important step forward in improving data sharing, interoperability, and visitor experiences across the country.
The outdoor recreation industry faces significant economic headwinds, making this moment of urgency critical to maintaining momentum.
