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.
IMPORTANT -- New Dates for 2009 InSites:
The dates for the 2009 InSites Convention and Outdoor Hospitality Expo have been moved up a day due to schedule conflicts. The new dates are November 9 – 12, 2009. The location is the Rosen Centre Hotel & Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. Please make sure you note those dates on your calendar!
The ARVC National Issues Conference will be held in Washington, DC April 28 – 29, 2009 with a focus on the priorities of the new Administration and the impact on our industry.
To read more click here.
Marketing Corner
ARVC Marketing information and latest partnerships submitted by ARVC Marketing & Communications Director, Kera Tomlin.
Your GoRVing Listing
Members, if you have not contributed to the 2009 industry promotion fund, your listing on GoRVing.com will be removed as of 2-13-09. With your contribution not only are you listed on one of the most popular RVing sites, but you also get leads (contact information) of people in your area that have signed up for the GoRVing DVD.
With these leads you can let consumers know what is going on in your park and introduce yourself to a vast group of people you otherwise would not get the chance to contact.
To contribute, you can either download the PDF contribution form here or go to our store and click on the Industry promotion button to contribute online. The contribution cost is based on your campgrounds annual gross revenue. Once your order is processed you will receive an email with login information for accessing leads and your GCA listing is automatically copied to the GoRVing site. If you need more information please contact Grant Barnette for further details at gbarnette@arvc.org. Don’t be left out, contribute today!
In this Economy We Need to HEAR How Your Park is Performing!
Share your park’s business good news/success stories & problems/issues with us. In this troubling economy, we’d like to know how your business is performing. Help ARVC stay abreast and in tune to the economy of the campground industry.
To read more click here.
Membership Corner
ARVC Membership information submitted by ARVC Membership Director, Daniel Gurley.
Music & Movie Licensing for 2009
A copyright is property owned by a person or group of people including books, records, movies, computer software and music. Music and movies are like all personal property – when you want to borrow it from someone you must ask permission. All public performances of music and movies, even most non-profit ones, must be licensed
To read more click here.
Education Corner
Educational information submitted by ARVC Education Director, Cheryl Smith.
2008 Economic Survey Now AVAILABLE for Purchase through ARVC.org
CLICK HERE, to purchase either the electronic or hardcopy of the 2008 Economic Survey
Member Prices:
YOU MUST ENTER THE COUPON CODE TO GET THE MEMBER PRICE! THE COUPON CODE CAN BE FOUND IN THE MEMBERS' ONLY SECTION OF ARVC.ORG
Electronic Version = $99
Hardcopy Version = $125
Non-Member Prices:
Electronic Version = $295
Hardcopy Version = $350
What Does the 2008 National Operations and Economic Impact Survey of the RV Park & Campground Industry Tell US?
by: Cheryl Cothran, Ph.D., Hospitality Research Center, Northern Arizona University
Once again, ARVC members have survived another round of the National Operations and Economic Impact Survey of the RV Park & Campground Industry. Heartfelt thanks go to all those who took the time to participate in this very important process. The survey was conducted this year by Northern Arizona University’s Hospitality Research Center, which had previous experience with Arizona RV park surveys. As a sign of the times, the entire process was conducted online, smoothly and efficiently, using adaptable E-software that allowed the survey to be completed in several sittings, not all at once. To read more click here.
Last Chance to Register for the 2009 Graduate Class
*Only few openings left for the 2009 Graduate class at the National School of RV Park and Campground Management in Wheeling WV.
*Graduate Program Rates and Dates: Wednesday – Sunday, February 18- 21 , 2009
Graduation from the National School of RV Park & Campground Management is a prerequisite for participation in the graduate program.
(Dinner only on Wednesday evening. Classes begin on Thursday morning at 7:45 and the program concludes with a banquet on Saturday night.)
*Registration closes on February 15, 2009 or when classes are filled, whichever comes first.
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.
MANY CAMPGROUNDS AND RV RESORTS THAT CATER TO SNOWBIRDS REPORT BUSINESS LEVELS CONSISTENT WITH 2008 FIGURES
by: Linda Profaizer, National Assn of RV Parks & Campgrounds (303) 681-0401 lprofaizer@arvc.org
The continuing allure of private parks is good news for many Sunbelt cities, whose economies thrive on the annual influx of winter visitors, though some seniors have cut back on meals out and other expenses.
With a volatile stock market and a daily barrage of negative economic reports, one might expect snowbirds to forego their annual trek south to private campgrounds and RV resorts across the Sunbelt.
To read more click here.
Snowbirds help spread new sport -- pickleball
By GAIL WESSON, The Press-Enterprise, 9:14 PM PST on Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The playing field is the size of a badminton court, the ball looks like a Whiffle ball with smaller holes, and players use a paddle larger than a pingpong paddle instead of a racket.
Ask RV snowbirds in Menifee what the heck this is and you'll probably get invited to take a lesson in how to play it. Pickleball, a sport with roots dating back four decades in Washington state, has recently gained a following in the Inland area.
To read more click here.
Special zones urged for people who sleep in RVs, cars in Venice
By Phil Willon and Martha Groves, January 22, 2009
L.A. Councilman Bill Rosendahl says the sites could be city property, church parking lots, industrial areas and other places away from neighborhoods.
Tough economic times have spilled onto the streets of Venice, which has become a favorite place to park for scores of otherwise homeless people living in cars and campers. The practice has ignited a mini-uprising among residents living in the pricey coastal community.
The number of cars and recreational vehicles has swelled so much over the last year that Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents the city's coastal areas, has proposed creating special zones away from neighborhoods where people can sleep in their vehicles.
To read more click here.
Travel homes big draw in Fort Myers:Faltering economy drives down sales
BY LAURA RUANE • lruane@news-press.com • January 22, 2009
Credit is tighter than it was two years ago. Gas prices are creeping back up after soaring last summer and then dropping.
Still, recreational vehicle dealers are hopeful for future growth, and for the 24th annual Fort Myers RV show opening today in North Fort Myers for a four-day run.
"We're expecting about the same attendance as last year - about 13,000," said Dan Wylie, Bradenton-based owner of the Dream RV dealership and president of Region 1 of the Florida RV Trade Association, which includes Southwest Florida.
To read more click here.
Travel Agent: US Travel Assocation Responds to Clinton Appointment
Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association (formerly Travel Industry Association), released the following statement on the confirmation of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and her commitment to "smart power":
"We support Senator Clinton's 'smart power' goal for the new Administration, and believe travel is an underused tool in America's public diplomacy efforts. Welcoming more visitors to the United States should be a top priority for the State Department and entire Obama Administration."
To read more click here.