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for more sponsorship information contact Kera Tomlin at ktomlin@arvc.org
President's Corner
Important association updates by ARVC President/CEO,
Linda Profaizer.
National PR Program Off To Great Start!
ARVC’s national public relations campaign is off to a great start, having generated or influenced eight newspaper, wire service and radio reports in addition to queries and other positive feedback from nearly 20 other newspaper, magazine and television reporters who are planning stories later this year.
To read more click here.
National Issues Conference:
This would be a great year to attend ARVC’s National Issues Conference which will be held April 28 and 29. It will kick off at the brand new US Capitol Visitor Center – come see what $600,000,000 looks like (that’s what it cost to build). As you know, so much is happening in Washington, DC these days with the stimulus package, budget and new players that will affect our business and us personally.
To read more click here.
ARVC Public Affairs Update:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
After Senate approval by a 60-38 margin and House passage by 246-183, the President signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on Tuesday, February 17. Overall, the bill will invest nearly $880 billion in the American economy – the largest single spending bill in the history of the Republic.
To read more click here.
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!
Marketing Corner
ARVC Marketing information and latest partnerships submitted by ARVC Marketing & Communications Director, Kera Tomlin.
NEW Technology Resource Pages for MEMBERS-ONLY
ARVC is happy to launch the newly created, ARVC Resource Pages on www.arvc.org. These password protected member-only pages will offer members a variety of information right at your fingertips. To access the material, all you have to do is log into www.arvc.org with your user ID and password.
This issue of the e-newsletter spotlights the TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE PAGES.
Thank you to our sponsor, TengoInternet!
The Technology Resource Pages offer the following:
- Learn how to make web videos to highlight different aspects of your park
- Find out who is offering the latest innovations in the automated campground check-in
- And find WiFi carriers across the country!
New information will be added throughout the coming year so be sure to check back often! Please send us feedback at info@arvc.org. The more we hear from you the more resources we can offer you!
PR Request for Compelling Family Bonding Stories From Campers
Our public relations specialist, Jeffrey Crider, is responding to a reporter's request for heart-warming family and friend bonding stories made from camping. If you have any campers in mind that you think might fit this request. Please email Jeff Crider at jeffreycrider@cox.net.
The reporter is looking for examples of bonding at campgrounds involving people of all ages. This could be parents and their children, children and grandparents, empty nesters and empty nesters, seniors and seniors and any combination thereof.
What we need are names and contact info of people we could interview who would be willing to share their stories of bonding and how they were able to facilitate this process by camping.
Park operators can email Jeff Crider the contact info for campers with compelling bonding stories at jeffreycrider@cox.net.
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.
Plan-It Green Corner
Take the Plan-It Green Pledge TODAY
If you are currently committed to giving back to the environment by recycling, conserving energy and water usage in your park, please sign up to become a Plan-It Green Park. Once you do, your listing on GoCamping America.com will include the Plan-It Green logo by your name, evidencing your commitment to preserving our nation's resources. Visit www.arvc.org/greenpledge.aspx to sign up TODAY!
In order to proudly display the Plan-It Green logo by your campground name on GCA, you must be able to honestly check off at least 3 of the following. . .
- We Proudly Adhere to Eco-Friendly Practices in Our Parks like:
- We currently offer recycling to our guests and recycle where possible
- Avoid using products or chemicals that are harmful to the environment
- We have evaluated our energy or water usage and have taken steps to conserve
- We currently use energy saving products in our campground like Compact Fluroscent Lighting or EnergyStar products if applicable
- We offer eco-friendly tips to our RVing & camping guests
- We are currently offsetting our carbon-footprint
- We offer 100% green energy to our guests
- We plant trees in our park to offset carbon emissions
- We continue to be mindful that our planet has a limited amount of energy , water and other natural resources
We Encourage Our Guests to:
- Respect the natural wildlife, plants and trees
- Use non-toxic biological tank treatment products
- Recycle and properly dispose of litter
- Conserve energy and other resources during their stay
How Other ARVC Member Parks Are Becoming GREEN
Email us and tell us what your park is doing to be green!! info@arvc.org
At Yogi Bear Jellystone Park in Williamsport, MD they have cut-back on their paper usage by emailing confirmations rather than mailing them. This also builds their email database for marketing purposes! They've also installed activity boards to eliminate the printing of daily activity schedules which they used to hand out to every camper.
-Ron & Viki Vitkun, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Williamsport, MD
Plan-It Green TIPS for GREENING Your Park
Install Low-Flow Water Fixtures: Decades ago, toilets used 5 gallons per flush, but these days more efficient models are readily available. So-called low-flow models use less than a gallon, and work great. American Standard, Toto and Kohler are leaders in the field.
Also save water and money, and still have ample water pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash bathing-water consumption 50 to 70 percent. The devices are simple to install and start at around $8. Low-flow faucets are also a great option.
Membership Corner
ARVC Membership information submitted by ARVC Membership Director, Daniel Gurley.
The MPLC Umbrella License® for ARVC Member Campgrounds
Now more than ever guests expect a wide range of services and amenities; a video license allows for increased programming at a reasonable cost. Campgrounds frequently use the magic of the movies to enhance their guests’ vacation experience. Movies are a great way to keep kids entertained or foster group activities at your campground.
To read more click here.
Education Corner
Educational information submitted by ARVC Education Director, Cheryl Smith.
Order Your “Unparalleled Excellence in Guest Services” DVD Today!
In this economy, saving money is your top priority. So how would you like to save $100.00? It’s easy! All you have to do is order the Unparalleled Excellence in Guest Services DVD for only $49.95. That is $100.00 off the normal price.
This DVD is great for training staff on the expectations of your customers and how to deal with a variety of situations. Order Today at our Online Store at http://store.arvc.org.
2008 Economic Survey Now AVAILABLE for Purchase
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.
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.
Going RVing can be as green as you want it to be.
Alana Fontaine, spokeswoman for Go RVing Canada, says more RVers today are asking how they can enjoy their vacations without leaving a big ecological footprint. The solution, she says, is simply to have an open mind and make some small, easy changes. For one, try camping close to home.
To read more click here.
They Have Reason to be Happy: RVs holding their own during economic downturn
By GRACE GAGLIANO - gagostin@bradenton.com *BradentonHerald.com
The phone rings. Donna Campion answers, “It’s a great day at Holiday Cove RV Resort.”
And, at another local resort, Manatee Winter Quarters Encore, a similar greeting is used, “We’re having a great day at Encore Manatee.”
To read more click here.
TengoInternet Grows to Over 400 WiFi Locations
Top RV Resort WiFi provider announces new service at 15 locations across 8 states
AUSTIN, TX - February 17, 2009 -- TengoInternet, the oldest and largest wireless Internet provider for the outdoor hospitality industry, today announced it has added 15 new customers in 8 states. With more than 400 wireless networks installed across 38 states, Canada and Mexico, TengoInternet remains the industry's largest provider with significant experience installing and managing wireless networks in the challenging outdoor environment.
To read more clock here.
While Factories Fail, Owners of Manufactured-Homes and RV Communities Stand Tall
by Kate Shellnutt, Feb 17, 2009, Medill Reports Chicago
Outdoor World Pine Country, in Belvidere, is one of 80 RV parks and campgrounds run by Thousand Trails, a company Equity Lifestyle Properties acquired last year.
Unlike its properties in warmer climates that draw visitors year-round, Outdoor World in Belvidere is open only during the spring and summer. Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc. is parked between two troubled industries—struggling home makers and the slowest real estate market in decades.
To read more click here.
Conference Committee Version of Economic Stimulus Bill Inclues Motorhome Sales Incentive
In news that marks a substantial legislative victory for the RV industry, RVIA has learned that the conference committee final version of the $789 billion economic stimulus package includes a provision to specifically help the RV industry.
To read more click here.
If you have questions or concerns please contact ARVC at 1-800-395-2267