Download How AO Serves All Segments of the Outfitting Industry

How AO Serves All Segments of the Outfitting Industry
You may have heard some outfitters suggest from time to time that AO spends an
inordinate amount of time on federal issues. That mission is undoubtedly one of the key
program priorities for the organization, but you may be surprised at just how much of
AO’s programming is not related to government affairs. Why would Joe Kowalski of
Wilderness Tours in Ontario and Rafael Gallo of Rios Tropicales in Costa Rica volunteer
to spend hours and hundred of dollars of their own money attending meetings in stuffy
rooms at Holiday Inns if all our work was solely for the benefit of federally-managed
concessioners? They participate because the organization offers something to them. As
Mark Singleton of NOC observed at the recent board meeting, “What you put into an
organization determines what you get out of it.”
Before we move on to some of the recent board decisions that may be of interest to all
outfitters, let’s cover some of AO’s attention to federal issues that benefit some
unsuspecting members.

A number of West Virginia and Pennslvania outfitters hold NPS incidental
business permits (IBP) for operations in national parks. Because of legislation
enacted in 1998, this IBP is being converted to a CUA (commercial use
authorization). Outfitters on the Delaware are among those potentially impacted.
So are outfitters on the Potomac, C&O Canal, and West Virginia outfitters with
climbing, biking, hiking and horseback riding operations in the New River Gorge
and Gauley River. NPS proposed to issue CUA’s by lottery when a Park limits
their numbers. Fortunately, AO is involved and the Executive Director will be
representing outfitters at a meeting called by NPS on April 29th to revise the rule.

Some of you may not realize that AO’s executive director also played a
significant role in initiating the legislation that led to downstream recreation being
provided equal consideration in hydropower relicensing. He certainly doesn’t
pretend to take the credit for it, but it was his testimony in a hearing on May 17,
1984 that helped lead to legislation that provided for equal consideration of
recreation. Initially, the debate was over whether of provide relicensing
preferences to public or private developers as a way to win concessions for
downstream recreation and fish and wildlife. David Brown’s testimony suggested
that no matter who won the license consideration should be given to nonpower
uses of the resource, including downstream recreation. Why is this issue
important today? The focus on energy security is creating renewed efforts to
revise hydropower licensing procedures and that includes legislation that proposes
to amend these policies.

Federal management scenarios from allocation of use to the treatment of
endangered species have an impact on all outfitters. Case in point, the River
Management Society membership consists of state and federal river managers.
This leads to direct cross fertilization of river management strategies.
Still not convinced? Consider these issues.
 The AO staff spends about 40% of its time planning and executing Confluence.
Most of the programming developed at Confluence applies to all types of
outfitters. Even if you don’t attend Confluence, many of the programs generate
membership benefits, such as risk management manuals, drug-free workplace and
personnel management strategies, marketing templates, and other resources to
help you run your business. The Program Committee almost exclusively
considers issues and initiatives that are of interest to all outfitters. In March they
developed a strategy of programming for Confluence will make this year’s event
in Reno especially valuable to our membership.

Under the leadership of Chairman Joe Kowalski, the America Outdoors Program
Committee develops benefits for all outfitters regardless of where they operate.
In March the board made a decision to continue the public relations program and
to capitalize on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Celebration. “The spirit of
adventure and discovery embodied in the Lewis and Clark Expedition lives on
today with America’s outfitters and guides.”

AO has also been instrumental in assisting outfitters managed by states in
Colorado and Tennessee primarily because they asked for assistance.

The Program Committee also led the way for America Outdoors’ new focus on
marketing strategies. The Marketing Plan template and the research on the
“Resolving Barriers to Participation in Outfitted Trips” are two benefits that have
broad application to all members. As Matt Knott of River Riders in Harpers
Ferry, WV observed, the marketing plan template enabled him to finish his
marketing plan prior to January 1 for once. Look for new marketing products at
this year’s Confluence.

Canadian outfitter recently asked the AO staff to review the proposed river
management planning process being developed for Western Canadian rivers.
Funny how these issues seem to show up everywhere. Thanks to AO’s long
association with them, we are able to provide our overview from the experiences
of outfitters throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Where outfitters can attract significant attendance, the executive director is taking
a road show into key outfitting communities around the nation with a program on
“Marketing to Families”. This program was once of the highest rated program at
this year’s IATOS.
Remember, you can’t benefit if you don’t participate, read your newsletters and bulletins
and show up occasionally. Please feel free to call me or a board member if you have
ideas, comments or questions on how we can make the organization of more value to
your company.