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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.
ARVC BOARD VOTES TO RESCIND 2010 MEMBERSHIP DUES INCREASE
The Board of Directors of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) voted to rescind the 4 percent increase in annual dues, which had been scheduled to take effect in January 2010. The action took place at the April 4 & 5 Board meeting held in Larkspur, Colorado. 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.
RVIA Increases Allowable 5th Wheel Size
Get ready for likely issues to arise in various localities and states in response to RVIA’s recent change to allow 5th wheel trailers to be up to 430 square feet in the set up mode. The RVIA board acted on March 27th and issued a Standard News Bulletin on April 3, 2009. To read more click here.
Camping Surge
- Tent sales: Up 28 percent in March, up 14 percent since Jan. 1 (REI)
- Gear: Camping, fishing, outdoor clothing sales up 13 percent last quarter (Cabela's)
- Backpacking: Camping up 7.4 percent last year, backpacking up 18.5 percent (Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association)
- Campsites: Reservations up 13 percent this year (California State Parks)
ORLANDO Makes Me Smile! InSites 2009 Convention & Outdoor Hospitality Expo
It’s obvious why the city’s tagline is ‘Orlando Makes Me Smile’. With some of the country’s finest family destinations like Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios, you can’t help BUT SMILE.
This year, join us in sunny Orlando, FL for InSites 2009 Convention & Outdoor Hospitality Expo, November 9-12th, in partnership with Leisure Systems Inc./Yogi Bear Jellystone Parks.
We’re packing 4 days full of exciting educational seminars, idea bursting cracker barrel sessions, a sizzling hot tradeshow to show off the latest products out there and to top it off in keeping with Orlando’s theme, evening entertainment and social networking sure to crack a smile or two!
Bring the family and take in all that Orlando, FL has to offer all while gaining new insight, ideas and inspiration to make 2009 your park’s best camping year yet! We’ll also be celebrating Leisure Systems Inc/Yogi Bear Jellystone Parks 40th year anniversary!
Watch the ARVC Report and www.arvc.org for InSites 2009 updates including the entire convention schedule, educational seminars, various fun activities and MUCH more! Bring that smile to Orlando! See you at InSites 2009!Marketing CornerARVC Marketing information and latest partnerships submitted by ARVC Marketing & Communications Director, Kera Tomlin.
Join ARVC in celebrating National Arbor Day On April 21st
ARVC will be celebrating Arbor Day by planting trees at headquarters in Larkspur, CO with the Colorado Campground Association. Join ARVC in planting trees at your park by joining the National Arbor Day Foundation for only $10 and receive 10 free trees! www.arborday.org/shopping/memberships
Help us generate some press! If your park plans to participate in an Arbor Day event, please share your info with us at info@arvc.org.
Does Your Park Have Any Special Mother's Day Offers?
If so, MSNBC.com travel columnist Harriet Baskas is looking for super-special and truly unusual specials or freebies for travel, attractions, meals, etc. offered on Mother's Day for an image-rich story. Percentage-off deals will probably not make the cut. Please email details and she'll follow up if interested: hbaskas@gmail.com. Deadline: April 13.
Become a GoCampingAmerica.com Facebook Fan!
We have recently created a GoCampingAmerica.com Facebook page and we want you to become a FAN! All you have to do is create a profile for either yourself or your RV park and then make sure to become a fan of GoCampingAmerica.com. Help spread the enthusiasm and excitement of camping for joining us online! You’ll definitely stay connected. Please note that the page is still under construction and will be updated with photos, info and news stories periodically. Feel free to share your park pics! To become a Fan, Click Here
Plan-It Green Corner
Celebrate Arbor Day on April 24th in Your Park!
Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. It’s a perfect opportunity for you to get your park involved in preserving the environment and helping to replant some of the precious trees lost this year due to the invasive forest diseases/insects and natural disasters. Trees are essential to the environment and without replanting and reforesting efforts in place, our natural environment and our beautiful parks will be in danger for future generations. Join ARVC in celebrating National Arbor Day on April 24, 2009!
For more information on Arbor Day, please visit the National Arbor Day Foundation: www.arborday.org/shopping/memberships
OR the National Arbor Day Foundation also sells trees in bulk for as little as $39.95! Buy 50 trees for your park for only $39.95 by visiting: http://www.arborday.org/Shopping/BulkSeedli ngs/order.cfm
OR If you are in New Jersey:
The New Jersey Tree Foundation is offering free two-year-old trees (1' - 2' tall) to celebrate Arbor Day 2009 in New Jersey. Schools, local governments, tree groups, non-profit organizations, scout groups, and any volunteer organization may apply for the free trees. All planting must occur on public lands, be done by volunteers and maintained for two years. A variety of evergreen and deciduous trees will be available. For further information or to request an application, please email Lisa Simms at njtf1@juno.com or download an application from our web site at: http://www.newjerseytreefoundation.org/Free Trees.asp.
Organize an Event at Your Park to Plant Trees
Contact your county and invite the local community to your park on April 24th for tree planting. This is a great opportunity to reach out to local elementary schools to get children and parents to join in on the fun and to create great press for your park!
How to Organize
The National Arbor Day Foundation has created a state by state resource guide to help you plan an Arbor Day event in your community. Please visit the website below and find the appropriate state contact for your area. Contact the listed representative and ask for their help in planning a community Arbor Day event at your park! http://www.arborday.org/pro grams/treeCityUSA/forestryCoordinators.cfm
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
Online Community Forum “PLAN-IT GREEN”
Interested in sharing ideas online about what your park is doing to be “GREEN”? How you ask? Well, now you can do so through ARVC’s Online Community, that’s how!!! Here are the step by step directions on how to post in the ARVC Forums.
- From the homepage of ARVC.org, click on the link on the left of the page that says ONLINE COMMUNITY.
- You will then be taken to a page that says, “Click here to go to our Online Community.” Click on the “Click here.”
- This will take you to a new page that has a folder of two kinds of forums. “ARVC Forum” and “Supplier Forum.” Click on the “ARVC Forum” to go to the “PLAN-IT GREEN” Forum.
- Under the ARVC logo, on this page, you will see a link that says, “please login or register to create a topic.” You will have to register to create or take part in a topic. Click “register.”
- To register, you will need to come up with a user name, an email and a password. Putting in your homepage url and your interests is optional.
- Once you register successfully, ARVC will send you an email that reads something like this: “Please verify your forum registration by clicking the link below. http://arvc.org/forum/activate.aspx?... “
- Once you have verified your forum registration, you will need to log-in, in the top right hand corner of the forum page. (as a returning user, you will only need to log-in each time, not register.)
- Click on the Forum in which you would like to take part, “PLAN-IT GREEN” for example.
- At the bottom of the Forum, there is a link that says, “Add reply” Click that.
- It takes you to a page where you can Let us know what green practices you observe in your park and help others with implementing their green changes.
- After you have typed your message, click “Notify me when reply is posted.” Then, click, “add message.”
- ARVC will post your message within 24 hours, if posted Monday through Friday. If posted on a weekend or over a holiday, please allow 72 hours to post.
If you have any questions at all, please call the ARVC office at 303-681-0401 and ask for Jeanette Phillips, Grant Barnette or Kera Tomlin.
How Other ARVC Member Parks Are Becoming GREEN
Email us and tell us what your park is doing to be green!! info@arvc.org
Membership Corner
ARVC Membership information submitted by ARVC Membership Director, Daniel Gurley.
2009 Awards of Excellence Call for Entries
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
Announcing ARVC’s Newest MBPs
National Background Investigations Inc.
A certified women’s business enterprise, provides customized background screening solutions integrating pre-employment, continuity and vendor screening into the HR process. We are proud to partner with ARVC and invite you to visit us at www.nationalbackground.com or you may call us at 1-800-798-0079 for a consult on how we may best service your organization’s background screening needs!
Poly-Pak Industries
Poly-Pak Industries is offering 8 1/2 x 11 Litter Bags and 15 x 18 x 4 Shopping Bags to all ARVC members at a 20% discount! The 8 1/2 x 11 Litter Bag features the "Plan-It Green" logo and can be customized with the your park name, address & phone number. The 15 x 18 x 4 Shopping Bag features the "Go Camping America" logo and can also be customized. All bags are made with 100% recycled film. It's easy. It's fast. Start advertising your park today! For ordering information contact: Call Stefie at 800-969-1995 ext 6567 or email at smatthies1@poly-pak.com
Education Corner
Educational information submitted by ARVC Education Director, Cheryl Smith.
NEW! Economic Survey is NOW FREE to ARVC Campground/Park Members
You asked for it... and it is yours FREE!!! The Foundation Board recently voted that if you are a current ARVC member you can request the Economic Survey and receive it FREE! The Economic Survey is a wonderful tool to get a pulse of our industry. How can you afford not to request it? It's as easy as sending an email to Cheryl Smith at csmith@arvc.org requesting the survey or call 303-681-0401 ex. 18.
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.
RV sales looking up
Snow flurries fall on those wishing for warmer camping weather. Others step inside an RV to see how it handles the cold temperatures. No matter how you like your camping weather, we’re told the deals for RVs in Colorado are hot. To read more click here.
RVers Planning to Travel and Buy Despite Recession
Bargain Hunters Can Find Great Deals, RVers SayRESTON, Va., March 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Consumer confidence may be down, but RVer confidence remains high, according to the biannual Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners, conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA: undefined, undefined, undefined%). Fifty-five percent of survey respondents intend to use their RVs more this spring/summer than last year, and 45 percent are considering another purchase. To read more click here.
Navistar May Go RVing
Monaco Coach, the recreational vehicle company that once rolled in style on strong sales of high-end motor homes, may sell its core RV manufacturing business to Navistar International for a mere $50.0 million. On Thursday, Navistar International (nyse: NAV - news - people ) issued a non-binding letter of intent to Monaco Coach (other-otc: MCOAQ - news - people ) expressing its interest in buying certain assets and liabilities of the RV maker's vehicle manufacturing business. Navistar, which produces commercial and military vehicles, in addition to diesel engines for pickup truck, van and sport utility vehicle markets, sees opportunities in expanding its diesel business with the purchase of Monaco's assets. To read more click here.
If you have questions or concerns please contact ARVC at 1-800-395-2267