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.
Memorial Day Reports:
Both KOA and Leisure Systems (Yogi Bear Jellystone Park franchisor) reported that the Memorial Day weekend was up an average of 3% in income from the prior year. Both reported that reservations came in later than normal – basically the week before which is different than normal. Reports from over the US indicate camping about on a par with last year in terms of camper nights. Both also reported that very high end cabins or other types of rentals are off (over $150).
I had the great opportunity to attend the 250th anniversary of Normandy Farms Campground in Foxboro, Massachusetts this past weekend. Driving through the park with Al Daniels, President/Owner (along with his sister Janis and brother Bob) we commented on the mix of units in the park. Al said he would normally see quite a few class A’s, but we saw travel trailers and popups. Anyone else noticing that in your park? We also saw quite a few tents.
ARVC PR PROGRAM PAYING OFF
It’s not often that companies are called by the media just to thank them for sending useful, informative press releases and to please continue sending them, but that is what is happening with the press releases created by Jeff Crider, our public relations expert. The latest releases Jeff created covers campgrounds with great food and a themed weekends and activities release. We have had interest from across the country in these releases which feature parks responding to Jeff’s requests for information. The releases don’t always get picked up verbatim, but because they are thoughtfully and creatively written, they give the media good story lines that they can pursue in their own fashion. The latest was an article written for the New York Times by Michelle Higgins who includes parks in Wisconsin, New York, Michigan and California. Michelle called the ARVC office several times for general information about the industry and for additional contact information which resulted in the article, which is a good one.
Take a look: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/travel/21praccamp.html?ref=fashion
And, please, when your national and/or state associations ask for information for a storyline, please respond so that your park has an opportunity for additional press coverage.
Government Affairs Update
Thanks to all of you who contacted your congressional leaders regarding the Travel Promotion Act (TPA – S. 1023). It continues to work its way through the U.S. Senate. The legislation now has 47 cosponsors plus Senator Bryon Dorgan from North Dakota. Thank you for your grassroots outreach to help secure these supporters. We have a small window of opportunity to push TPA past the finish line in the coming days.
To read more click here.
ARVC/Airstream Sign Marketing Agreement
ARVC and Airstream have signed a marketing agreement where Airstream will provide ARVC members with the opportunity to offer affordable and unique Airstream RV rental accommodations. Special member pricing will be offered in this program which will be explained in detail in the coming weeks.
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.
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
Renewable energy rebates
By Green Living Tips | Published 06/13/2009 |
Renewable energy grants, rebates and incentives
Ever dreamed of having solar panels on your roof or a wind turbine in the back yard? It's certainly a goal of mine; one I was able to partially achieve recently.
While prices on solar installations and other forms of green power options have certainly come down in recent years, renewable energy technology is still out of the reach for most of us - or is it?
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.
Check Out the Social Networking 101 Webinar at www.arvc.org!
It’s not too late! If you missed the Social Networking 101 webinar, you can still watch the recording of the session – at your leisure. The focus of the webinar is on how to use Facebook and Twitter to build interest in your park. The webinar recording will be available shortly at www.arvc.org in the ‘online store’. There is a nominal fee.
More webinars are being planned for the future so stay tuned…
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.
Rep. Donnelly Sees RV Recovery on Horizon
Posted By RV Business On May 1, 2009 (4:09 pm)
U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., whose district includes northern Indiana’s RV manufacturing area, expects that Navistar International Corp. will begin building recreational vehicles again in factories closed by Monaco Coach Corp.
To read more click here.
ARC’s Legends Award
Washington, D.C. — The American Recreation Coalition (ARC) presented its 2009 Legends Awards to seven federal managers in recognition of their outstanding work to improve outdoor recreation experiences and opportunities for the American people. The awards were presented on June 9, 2009 during Great Outdoors Week – ARC’s celebration of the value and importance of outdoor recreation.
To read more click here
RV parks offer special events this summer
By Staff Report | June 9, 2009 - 9:26 am – RVNews Service
LARKSPUR, Colo., June 9, 2009 If you’re looking for something different to do this Father’s Day, why not take dad camping? The Friendly Beaver RV park and campground in New Boston, N.H. will host a Father’ Day dance with a live band, while Land-O-Pines Family Campground in Covington, La. plans to host father-child horseshoe, volleyball, miniature golf and water slide contests.
To read more click here.
Association Pitches Large Tent in Larkspur
Denver Business Journal, Tara Moberly June 5, 2009
A bad economy has turned out to be a good thing for the RV and camping industry, and that could spell new opportunities for Colorado businesses.
“The reason this is a good year for camping is the economy,” said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) in Larkspur. “Typically, this is true any year the economy is not so good. People are looking for something more basic, the simpler way of life.”
So as more people vacation closer to home to save a few bucks, campgrounds and RV parks expect to produce more revenue.
ARVC, which represents 8,000 parks and campgrounds in the United States, relocated in August 2008 to a five-acre site in Larkspur from Falls Church, Va., after the latter began a redevelopment plan.
Winnebago Industries Swings to Loss as Volume Tumbles
By Tess Stynes, June 18, 2009, The Wall Street Journal
Winnebago Industries Inc. swung to a wider-than-expected fiscal third-quarter loss on a continued decline in motor-home deliveries and production.
Also hurting results was increased promotions and consumer preferences for lower-priced recreation vehicles. It was the fourth-straight quarterly loss for the RV maker, whose products cost from $60,000 to $300,000. Winnebago had managed to stay profitable for years despite falling sales through streamlining and focusing on larger, more profitable RVs.
To read more click here.