THE BEST OF HFA MEMBERSHIP, PARTNERS, AND BENEFITS

HFA Members Practice Advocacy With a Personal Touch

HFA helps members bring policymakers into their facilities to build stronger relationships and advance the industry’s voice.

Inviting national and local policymakers to attend grand openings, special events, or simply tour your facility is one of the most effective ways to build lasting relationships. HFA helps make these visits happen by facilitating connections with policymakers and supporting members with outreach, planning, preparation, and follow-up. Last month, two HFA member clubs welcomed key policymakers into their facilities, giving them a firsthand look at why the health and fitness industry is so important to communities across the country.

After attending the 2026 Fly-In and Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, Randy Hilmer (right) was inspired to invite Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) to visit his facility—and Womack accepted.

River Valley Fitness & Training Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

River Valley Fitness owner Randy Hilmer, inspired by his experiences participating at the HFA 2026 Fly-In and Advocacy Summit, invited Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) to visit his facility for a tour. Later, some of Womack’s staff returned to the gym to get in a workout, a true measure of the welcoming atmosphere of Hilmer’s facility and staff.

On his Instagram page, Womack posted: “Physical fitness plays an important role in living a longer, healthier life. It was great to visit River Valley Fitness & Training Center that’s been voted Best Gym/Fitness Center in River Valley for five consecutive years. Thanks to the gym’s owner, Randy Hilmer, for helping our community reach their fitness goals from young athletes to veterans.”

Hilmer said that both his Fly-In experience and HFA’s guidelines for hosting policymakers helped make the visit a “massive success.” He plans to stay active in promoting the industry’s advocacy goals in the future, both on the state and federal levels.

River Valley Fitness was featured in the May 2026 issue of HFB.

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (fifth from left in blue sports jacket) accepted an invitation from OneLife Fitness to attend the ribbon cutting of its new location in Ashburn, Virginia.

OneLife Fitness, Ashburn, Virginia

OneLife Fitness opened a new facility in Ashburn, Virginia, and welcomed US Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), along with local leaders Sylvia Glass, Loudoun County Broad Run District Supervisor, and Tony Howard, president and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. OneLife has more than 70 locations in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. On hand to greet the dignitaries was Ori Gorfine, CEO of OneLife and an HFA board member. Gorfine is a regular attendee of HFA’s annual Fly-In and continues to build bridges to policymakers in Washington, DC, and the seven states with OneLife facilities.

Interested in hosting a policymaker at your facility? HFA’s advocacy team can help facilitate the connection, plan the visit, and provide the tools and guidance needed to make it successful. Contact HFA to get started.

Health & Fitness Business is a publication of

Health & Fitness Business (HFB) is the leading health and fitness industry publication. Published monthly by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and distributed free to the industry, HFB offers analysis of the opportunities, challenges, issues, and news that impact the industry.

Subscribe | Advertise | Past Issues | FAQs

70 Fargo Street, Boston, MA 02210

1627 I Street NW, Suite 1210, Washington DC, 20006