GOVERNMENT
Inside The Beltway Making Memoies
T
here are a few moments every parent remembers. One of those is the first time you take your kids to a carnival. This summer I took my two eldest daughters,
aged 6 and 4, to their first carnival. I will never forget the wide-eyed wonder on their faces as they raced from one colorful ride to the next, with huge smiles as they laughed their heads off. That memory is more than a personal joy; it’s a powerful reminder of why the work we do for the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) matters. For over a decade, HB Strategies has had the privilege of
representing the OABA in Washington, D.C. In that time, we have advocated for the small businesses, seasonal workers, family legacies, and community traditions that make up the backbone of the American carnival industry. This isn’t just a job; it’s a responsibility we carry with pride, especially when I see what this industry brings to families like mine. This industry is unique. It is not about just building rides
and setting up concessions, but rather creating tempo- rary cities of joy, spaces where memories are made and
By Rocky Fox, OABA’s Government Relations Team
generations come together. Behind every carousel and Ferris wheel is a hardworking network of operators, tech- nicians, suppliers, and staff who bring these experiences to life. The first time I met former OABA Chairman Michael Wood,
he told me, “I’m in the business of making memories.” Each time I walk into a congressional office, I carry that quote with me. That’s why lobbying on behalf of the carnival industry isn’t
just about legislation or regulations. It’s about telling the real stories behind the scenes, like those of the generations of midway operators, the international workers who return each season through the H-2B visa program and the towns that count on their annual fair to boost local business. To all the members of the OABA, thank you for the trust
you’ve placed in us to represent your interests in our na- tion’s capital. While we advocate for the carnival industry, we also realize we are working to protect and preserve this uniquely American tradition for our own families. As we left her first carnival, my 6-year-old said, “That was
so much fun, can we go back tomorrow?” Let’s keep fight- ing to ensure that there is always a tomorrow for the carni- val industry! The best way to secure the future of our industry is educat-
ing fair, concessionaire and other industry partners about the work of the OABA. We need to spread the word about our efforts in D.C. and find more support from lawmakers for the H.R.2729 - Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act and S. 1281 - Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act. Let’s fight to make sure we continue to make memories for years to come.
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