Winnebago Industries Inc. recently showcased the all-new high-mileage Class A Winnebago Via
motorhome for participants in the Forum on Stimulating Economic Vitality
and Resource Conservation, a gathering of top national and state
tourism and park leaders hosted by the U.S. Department of Interior.
Held in downtown Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15, the forum allowed key RV
industry leaders, state tourism officials, the managers of public lands
covering more than one-third of the nation’ s surface and others to
discuss increasing visits by Americans to national parks while making
this use sustainable, and to see how changes in RVs will help the RV
lifestyle remain popular in an era of new focus on “green” living,
according to a news release.
Forum participants included state and local government officials,
gateway community and tribal leaders as well as tourism and recreation
industry representatives.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, both members of the
president’ s Cabinet. Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA)
President Richard Coon and American Recreation Coalition (ARC) President
Derrick Crandall briefed the secretaries on RV travel and innovations
as they toured the Via. The event also recognized innovations in RVing
that have made the industry more eco-friendly, fuel and cost efficient.
“We were delighted by the positive focus of the administration’ s
comments at the forum — about its commitment to strengthen the link
between Americans and the Great Outdoors. Both secretaries noted the
immense economic importance of the RV industry and related recreation
businesses,” said Crandall. “The Winnebago Via’ s eye-catching styling,
exclusive features and impressive fuel economy were a real hit with
meeting attendees.”
