Documents

Feb 12, 2025 NPS Field Memo - Exculpatory Agreements for Commercial Use Authorizations, Concession Contracts and Leases - Risk Management, National Park Service
According to the revised policy, "all CUA holders (regardless of the level of risk associated with the services being provided) and concessioners and commercial lessees providing high-risk recreation services (as determined by the NPS) will be permitted to ask visitors (i.e., their customers) to sign exculpatory agreements that include VARs, WoLs, and indemnification clauses."

Feb 03, 2025 AO Briefing for President Trump's 2025 Transition Team - Bureau of Land Management, Department of Labor, US Forest Service, National Park Service
MEMBER ONLY RESOURCE - Enhancing Efficiency in the Administration of Permits for Outfitting and Guiding Activities and Enhancing Recreation Access and Economic Benefits from Lands Administered by Federal Agencies presented to President Donald J. Trump Transition Team by Aaron Bannon, Executive Director America Outdoors Association.

Feb 03, 2025 Outfitters Seek Trump Order to Reverse Biden/Obama Minimum Wage Requirements - Department of Labor
MEMBER ONLY RESOURCE - The outfitting and guiding industry is facing unprecedented challenges that threaten its viability and adversely impact public access to outdoor recreation experiences on Federal lands. Substantially increasing labor and insurance costs, in many cases driven by government regulation, have created a dynamic that is unsustainable for the industry.

Nov 14, 2024 ORR Memo: Natural Disasters and Solutions for Supporting Resilient Outdoor Recreation - US Forest Service
ORR Memo - Outdoor Recreation Community Severely Impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Southeast’s outdoor recreation business community has been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and its members have been working diligently to convene state and local stakeholders and federal land agencies to inventory the impact of the hurricane on businesses and how recreationists can play an important role in the response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts in the region.

Nov 12, 2024 AOA Proposed Amended Bylaws with proposed changes - Human Resources
Substantive, non-technical amended bylaws proposed for 2024 general membership meeting

Nov 12, 2024 AOA Proposed Amended Bylaws (clean) - Human Resources
Amended bylaws for 2024 membership meeting.

Oct 01, 2024 2015 Wage and Hour Guidelines for Employers - Department of Labor
These Guidelines are intended to provide outfitters with guidance on the wage and hour provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Executive Order No. 13658, which is applicable to federal contractors. Please note that in certain states stricter wage and hour requirements may apply. Compliance with federal law does not absolve an employer from liability under applicable local and state laws. Always check with state laws before implementing any of the following employment practices.

Oct 01, 2024 DOL New Wage and Hour Rules Slideshow - Ericka Fleetwood, Akerman LLP - Department of Labor
Addressing impact of Executive Order 14026 increased minimum wage on outfitters. Focusing on elimination of exemption for recreational services on Federal Lands (EO 13838) and elimination of tip credit. Understanding federal agency Implementation, extensions, and mitigation. Addressing impact of new Wage & Hour Salary Threshold for White Collar Exemptions.

Sep 27, 2024 AOA Comments on FMCSA Notice of Guidelines Review - Federal Motor Carrier
On September 25, 2024, America Outdoors submitted comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Vehicle Administration asking them to update their 2020 brochure on 9-15 passenger van compliance. In 2021 Congress passed a provision exemption recreation experience providers from federal jurisdiction when operating within 150 air miles of passenger pick-up. The FMCSA has not yet provided guidance on how they intend to implement the law. AO also asked the FMCSA to consider challenges for outfitters to comply with the new Entry Level Driver Training Requirements.

Sep 06, 2024 Social Media Strategy Guide for Tour Operators - Marketing and Business Development
Social media has become a crucial tool for tour operators like yourself to connect with your audience, build brand awareness, and drive engagement. Whether you currently have a presence on social media and post consistently, don’t have social channels at all and don’t know where to begin, or are somewhere in the middle, this guide will offer valuable insights for you!