sponsored by...
for more sponsorship information contact Kera Tomlin at ktomlin@arvc.org
InSites Early Bird Registration Expires
June 30th! Register online at www.arvc.org
The PASSPORT TO A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY annual ARVC convention and Expo will take place on November 9-12, 2009 in Orlando.
Be sure and register for the Early Bird Special and you can save $75 off on your full registration fee if you register before the June 30th deadline.
And … you will be entered into a drawing for 2 day-hopper tickets to a Disney Park. Send in your registration today. Both attendees and exhibitors are eligible!!
President's Corner
Important association updates by ARVC President/CEO, Linda Profaizer.
Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on June 13
ARVC Participates in Denver Event! Thousands of recreation partners are gearing up to host the second annual National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day) on Saturday, June 13, at over 50 sites across the nation. To read more click here.
ARVC Signs On To Pass Bill for Travel Promotion Act of 2009
As members of the US Travel Association, ARVC has joined other tourism industry leaders signing on to encourage the passage of the bill (S. 1023) related to the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. The Bill will enable the United States to welcome millions of new international visitors and, according to an analysis by Oxford Economics, $4 billion annually in new, much-needed support for America’s economy.
Click here to read more about the need for the Travel Promotion Act.
Examing Current Travel Industry Trends
The US Travel Association (formerly Travel Industry Association – TIA) offered this outlook: Though signs of economic healing are on the horizon - increased consumer optimism, comparatively lower gas prices, a stabilizing housing market - most economists warn that we are likely to experience further declines in the near-term before seeing GDP swing into the black, hopefully by Q4 '09. When recovery comes, it is expected to be subdued, reflecting what is being called a "new normal" in consumer attitudes and values (spending less, saving more), and the $773 billion U.S. travel industry may still have some major adjustments to endure. In this month's Outlook, I explore pressing topics including industry performance measures, new forecasts and surveys, the impact of H1N1 on travel and international visitation to the United States.
To read more click here.
U.S. Commerce Department Forecasts Rebound in International Travel to the US by 2010
The U.S. Department of Commerce projects international travel to the U.S. to regain its footing by 2010, following its first forecasted year of decline in 2009 since 2003. Reflective of the current global economic environment, international travel is forecasted to decline by 8 percent in 2009. This is met by a projected rebound of 3 percent growth by the end of 2010, followed by 5 percent annual increases through 2013. In 2009 twenty-four of the top 25 arrival markets are estimated to decline.
To read more click here.
We'd Like to Know How You Are Doing
We know these can be tough, scary times. We'd like to know how you are coping with the economy, where you are marketing, any information on reservations compared to last year or current occupancy. You can go online to make comments at goodnews@arvc.org or newsofconcern@arvc.org or just email me directly at lprofaizer@arvc.org. Thanks!
Marketing Corner
ARVC Marketing information and latest partnerships submitted by ARVC Marketing & Communications Director, Kera Tomlin.
Go RVing launches video contest
Here’s a great way to encourage RVers – and their pets – to hit the road this June and July: tell them to enter the Go RVing “Tails from the Road” Video Contest, win great prizes and show the online world how much they love RVing.
Any RVer with a video camera, a pet and a catchy idea for a five-minute video about their travels is eligible to enter, starting June 1. Videos will be judged by thousands of RVers on Go RVing’s Facebook Fan Page. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and a Motorola Motonav GPS and have his or her video featured on GoRVing.com, Facebook and YouTube. The second prize winner will receive $500.
To make it easy for manufacturers, dealers, campgrounds, owners clubs and publishers to help get the word out, Go RVing has posted a downloadable flyer on GoRVing.com to e-mail, direct mail, distribute or display at your place of business. Visit the contest information page for details.
Attention Owners/Operators!
It’s no secret, cracker barrels and evening gatherings are some of the most valuable events attended at conventions and meetings. In fact, the sheer amount of in-depth knowledge and generous sharing always amazes and humbles me. And perhaps like you, I always walk away wishing there were more folks around the table.
To read more click here.
Do You Have a Favorite Industry Supplier?
If you have a favorite industry supplier that is a current Supplier Council member, and you feel that they have gone over and beyond for their customers, please nominate them for the Supplier of the Year award. One award is presented to an industry supplier that exemplifies excellence in product, customer service and support. The nominee should be a supplier that goes the extra mile for its cusomters and the industry. To enter, submit a letter of nomination, which is co-signed by three other ARVC members, that documents the reasons for the nomination. Include clippings, photos, examples of excellence or other supporting documentation.
Click Here to download the nomination application.
Plan-It Green Corner
Tell Us How Your Park Is GREEN
Email us and tell us what your park is doing to be green!! info@arvc.org
Here’s what Raintree RV Resort sent us about what they are doing in their park!
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Installed a tankless water heater at our shower/laundry house.
We estimate it will cut our use of propane for that building in half.
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Had our Clubhouse professionally "foamed" on the inside of the roof/attic area.
This will greatly reduce our heating & cooling bills, as there was very little
insulation there before.
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Replaced approx. 50 old lights in the Clubhouse ceiling with new,
low-wattage flourescents. (Required changing fixtures on most of them.)
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Installed automatic solar heating at our pool, to supplement the heat pump.
Turns itself on & off as it senses the sun (or lack of).
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Designed our own whirlpool cover to keep the heat/energy from escaping at night.
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Installed a powered, close-fitting pool cover, again to keep energy from escaping
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Continued to improve/add to our recycling program to where we recycle virtually
everything that can be: metals, paper (all types), cardboard, plastics, glass,
used batteries, used wood/construction waste, old appliances, computers,
& other electronic items, & yard waste.
-Bill & Sandra Paddack, Raintree RV Resort, North Fort Myers, FL
Green Business Tips from DailyGreen.com
Get a Great New CFL for Any Fixture. It used to be that those swirly compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) came in only one or two inconvenient, and some say odd-looking, shapes; but these days you can get standard-topped CFLs, mini sizes, dimmable versions, and even candelabra styles and more.
To read more click here.
Membership Corner
ARVC Membership information submitted by ARVC Membership Director, Daniel Gurley.
Deadline Rapidly Approaching, June 30th! Submit Your 2009 Awards of Excellence Entry Today
The ARVC Awards of Excellence recognize the accomplishments of members in operations, marketing, management and the industry. Every year, ARVC profiles the winners of its awards with press releases, letters to industry and government leaders, articles in the ARVC Report, showcasing on the website and notification on the local, state and national level. This year ARVC will recognize two entrants in the brochure, direct mail promotion, and website of the year categories.
To enter, click here to download the entry form and provide the information requested. All entries must be received no later than June 30, 2009. All rules and judging criteria are listed in the entry form brochure.
Any questions, contact Daniel Gurley, Director of Membership at (303) 681-0401 or dgurley@ARVC.org
Education Corner
Educational information submitted by ARVC Education Director, Cheryl Smith.
Facebook/Twitter Webinar RESCHEDULED for June 16th!!
You’ve heard all the hype about Facebook and Twitter. Are you interested in learning what all the fuss is about? And why parks are jumping on the bandwagon to use these sites to reach new customers?
ARVC will have the answers for you in an upcoming webinar during the first week of June. (You’ll even earn CPO credits for this!) Be on the lookout for an e-mail shortly with more details.
Click Here to register for the webinar.
OSHA Compliance Training
At InSites in Orlando, FL November 8, 2009 8 am – 4pm $125.00 per person
You asked for it! And we are bringing this topic to ARVC’s 2009 InSites Convention.
We know that you might be afraid to ask those OSHA questions, so we are bringing J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. to you for 8 hour compliance training.
To read more click here.
In the News Corner
ARVC tracks news alerts and RSS feeds for the latest information concerning member parks, campgrounds and the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. Here is some of the most recent press coverage.
President Obama Proclaims June as Great Outdoors Month, Governors Join In
June has been officially designated Great Outdoors Month by President Barack Obama and more than half of America’s governors. The proclamations were suggested by a coalition of dozens of recreation and conservation organizations, many of which coordinate special events held during June, including National Trails Day®, National Fishing and Boating Week, National Get Outdoors Day and the Great American Backyard Campout.
To read more click here.
Americans Encouraged to Get Outside During National Camping Month
The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, today marked June 2009 as National Camping Month, an initiative to encourage and inspire Americans of all ages to get outdoors.
“Programs like National Camping Month are vital for life-long outdoor commitment and enjoyment.”
To read more click here.
Life On Wheels: RVers enjoy the friendships, relaxed pace
TRAVERSE CITY -- Before they left Denmark, Kirsten and Mogens Hermansen dreamed of buying a boat and sailing around the world. Instead they settled in the U.S. and bought a 45-foot motor coach -- the "big rig" of the RV world.
"This is our sailboat," said Kirsten Hermansen, an amateur artist whose summer "studio" is the windowed storage shed on the couple's lot at Traverse Bay RV Resort in Williamsburg.
To read more click here.