sponsored by...
for more sponsorship information contact Kera Tomlin at ktomlin@arvc.org
President's Corner
Important association updates by ARVC President/CEO, Linda Profaizer.
Almost One Year . . .
since ARVC moved to the Denver area. That is really hard to believe. Other than weather behaving abnormally, as locals will tell us, this has been a great year. The staff seems to be acclimated as it certainly has been a big transition.
We have also held several board meetings here for both the ARVC Board and the ARVC Foundation Board, the Board of Regents and the Business Forum and a meeting of the CCLOA (Colorado Campground & Lodging Owner’s Association). We have had numerous visitors – many more than we ever received in the Washington, DC area.
We have also had the opportunity to meet with a number of other non-profit association leaders in various aspects of the outdoor industry. We have succeeded in reducing our operating costs, which is one of the reasons we moved out of the DC area. We find the environment (without the street noises) to be very conducive to working on the business of our association.
We continue to keep up our working relationships with our DC area friends, RVIA, RVDA, ARC and others. Our presence on the Hill continues with the services of Aubrey King and David Gorin. We hope that we are meeting your needs and handling any of your requests in a prompt and thorough fashion. That’s why we are here. If there are any issues with our service, please let us know.
Good PR:
Debbie Sipe, CalARVC Executive Director, shared this link to a NBC video clip of two of our respective members (Michael Gelfand, ARVC Board Member and owner of Campland on the Bay, Rancho Santa Fe; and Clint Bell, San Diego Metro KOA. Good clip on vacationing in your own back yard. This continues to promote our industry to potential guests.
Click here for the video!
Public Affairs Update...
Travel Promotion Act
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has promised to try to bring the Travel Promotion Act (S. 1023) up for a floor vote before the Senate adjourns for its August recess next week. It is unclear whether the Republicans will cooperate. A majority of the Senate are now cosponsors of the TPA.
Highway Funding and Reauthorization
House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) announced today that he will push forward a $5 billion transfer to the Highway Trust Fund to keep the fund solvent while Congress is gone during the upcoming August recess. The decision follows a meeting between Oberstar and senior Department of Transportation officials. It provides a temporary reprieve in the ongoing back-and-forth between the House and Senate, while providing states some certainty that funds will remain available for reimbursements through the early fall.
The transfer is expected to be similar to the $8 billion in stopgap funding Congress provided the Trust Fund last September. The House is scheduled to adjourn this Friday, July 31, 2009 for the August Recess. As a result, the temporary fix is expected to move quickly through the House. The Senate has few options and took the House approach, thus deferring until September a final decision on a possible 18-month extension of SAFETEA-LU as preferred by the Senate, or on a fully funded six-year bill as preferred by Oberstar.
New Jersey May Amend Park Model Regulations (from RV Business Breaking News):
There are increasing issues regarding length of stay in RV parks. Here is a recent article from New Jersey related to park models.
http://www.rvbusiness.com/2009/07/new-jersey-to-amend-park-model-regulations/
This next article is from South Dakota -- http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090705/NEWS/907050306/1001
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, and 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/Communications
ARVC Marketing information submitted by ARVC Marketing & Communications Director, Kera Tomlin.
Internet Travel Monitor - Marketing & Research, July 29, 2009
Marketers Like Twitter More Than Consumers Do
NEW YORK, NY – The Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, they're only made of clay, but is Twitter here to stay? Harris Interactive's new study with LinkedIn Research Network suggests advertisers are a lot more optimistic about the staying power of that web platform for pointillist pontification than regular people.
To read more click here.
The Media is Asking for YOUR Input! Does Your Park Offer the Following...
- Does your park offer hunting and fishing? Or even bird watching excursions/opportunities? If so, what kind of activities do you offer/allow and when? Is there a certain season for these outdoor activities?
- Does your park offer wedding venue facilities or romantic getaway escapes?
If so, please contact Jeff Crider, ARVC's Public Relations Specialist. He wants to hear from you as soon as possible! Please email him at jeffreycrider@cox.net
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
Restaurants and Dining
Best practices for sustainable purchasing and operations
What's at StakeThe American public is increasingly eating away from home, and there are close to a million dining facilities now in the US. Unfortunately, conventional production, transportation and preparation of food relies on dangerous chemicals, creates considerable waste, uses vast amounts of energy, and consumes ever-shrinking supplies of wild seafood. Consumers are clamoring for sustainable food choices, presenting a prime opportunity for companies that are able to deliver.
Fortunately, there are proven and cost-effective solutions. Dining managers now have an incredible opportunity to improve the environmental footprint of the food they serve and the restaurants they operate.
To Read More About ‘Green’ Dining, click here
Education Corner
Educational information submitted by ARVC Education Director, Cheryl Smith.
RV Park and Campground Management School: Scholarship Opportunities
The following scholarship opportunities are available to RV Park & Campground owners, operators, staff and, those interested in the program who may not be currently employed in an RV park or campground. Early applications are necessary in all cases. Awarding of a scholarship does not guarantee a slot in the School. Separate registration for the School is necessary. Since the School has filled up early in the past, don't be left out with scholarship support but no seat at the School! Take a moment and look which States and Businesses are offering this year's scholarships on http://campgroundschool.org/ScholarshipOpportunities.htm
- Campground Owners of New York (CONY)
- Evergreen USA
- Florida ARVC
- Harvest Foundation
- Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles & Campgrounds (MARVAC)
- Leisure Systems Incorporated (LSI)
- ARVC Michigan
- Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA)
- Pennsylvania RV & Camping Association (PRVCA)
- Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO)
- ARVC Foundation
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 to Speak at Monaco RV
InsideIndianaBusiness.com Report
President Barack Obama's next visit to Indiana will be Wednesday in Wakarusa. The president will deliver remarks on the economy during an invitation-only appearance at the Monaco RV facility. A White House official has said the President will make an announcement involving funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Wakarusa facility was one of several Monaco assets acquired by Illinois-based Navistar International Corp. (NYSE: NAV) in June.
To read more click here.
Some Pets Aren't Happy Campers
With dogged determination California's RV parks and campgrounds are working to make their facilities more dog-friendly. Already more than 90 percent of the campgrounds listed on the Website camp-california.com accept dogs, and many such facilities now are adding special dog amenities and activities, including dog runs, play areas and even dog washing "salons."
To read more click here.
Top WiFi Provider Brings WiFi and Management Services to Guests at RV in The Sun RV Resorts
AUSTIN, TX - August 3, 2009 -- TengoInternet, the oldest and largest wireless internet provider for the outdoor hospitality industry, announced today that Diversified Investments selected TengoInternet to provide wireless networks at 5 of their RV in the Sun RV Resort parks. TengoInternet upgraded the broadband capabilities at these locations and deployed state-of-the-art, self-healing wireless mesh networks to cover more than 1,800 RV sites.
To read more click here.