U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton presented the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association
(RVIA) with a certificate of appreciation for the association’s efforts to motivate
millions of RV travelers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy public lands and scenic byways.
She also lauded the association for its support of the U.S. Department of Interior’s Take
Pride in America program. The Take Pride program is a national partnership that supports
and recognizes volunteers who work to improve national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and
other public-land recreation areas. With more than 100 partners, Take Pride engages
federal, state and local government, conservation and recreation organizers, young people,
and top national corporations and organizations. Secretary Norton presented the certificate
to RVIA President David J. Humphreys at a ceremony held at the headquarters of RV
manufacturer Airstream Inc., in Jackson Center, Ohio. The Airstream owners’ association,
called the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, was the winner of a national Take Pride
in America award in September 2003. In making the presentation, Secretary Norton
highlighted RVIA’s leadership in helping RVers take advantage of the many outdoor
recreation opportunities available on America’s public lands and scenic byways. A recent
RVIA survey found that 95 percent of RV owners believe owning an RV makes it easier for
them to reach public lands. Specifically, Secretary Norton commended RVIA for:
- Actively supporting and promoting Take Pride in America programs and the Interior’s
new federal-lands reservation system. These and other Take Pride programs are
frequently promoted in RVIA’s newsletter, RVIA Today, which reaches all the influential
players in the RV industry on a monthly basis. - Helping to motivate RV travelers and outdoor enthusiasts to responsibly enjoy our
nation’s public lands. RVs provide the means for some 30 million Americans of all ages
to enjoy outdoor passions, such as camping, hiking, biking, fishing, skiing and a host
of others. RVIA actively encourages RV owners’ clubs, RV dealerships and campgrounds to
help promote the program to their constituents. - Promoting the nation’s scenic byways and opportunities to camp on public lands
through the national Go RVing advertising campaign, which reaches more than 2 billion
people annually with positive images of RVers pursuing their passions in the outdoors.
In addition, the GoRVing.com website reaches 2 million visitors annually with detailed
information on the nation’s officially designated scenic byways. - Encouraging RVers to explore national parks and public lands through insightful
stories, and user-friendly tips and suggestions in the Go RVing e-newsletter, which
reaches an average of 25,000 readers on a monthly basis. - Maintaining a highly visible media publicity program, including RV loans to leading
national journalists to let them experience camping on public lands personally. The RV
industry has also been a great supporter of Get Fit With US, President George W. Bush’s
program to help Americans become more physically fit. Public lands offer many
opportunities to engage in active recreation, which helps promote physical, mental and
spiritual health. “One-third of the United States is public land, so RVing gives
Americans the opportunity to explore many wonderful places across this country,” said
Humphreys. “Public lands are a favorite destination of RV owners, and RVIA is pleased
to be a part of the Take Pride in America program and honored to be recognized by
Secretary Norton.” RVIA is the national association representing more than 500
manufacturers and component suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs
made in the United States.
