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The Pennsylvania RV and Camping Show, America‟s Largest RV Show, held in Hershey, PA reported record attendance at this year‟s event with a turnout of 35,020 people for the Retail Days alone. The event held September 13th through 19th saw a 9 percent increase in attendance from 2009 and set a new record for the history of the show. The show was over 1 million square feet and grew by 42 percent compared to the 2009 show. Over 970 units were on display, a 43

percent increased over the previous year.

Not only has the show size and attendance increased, but the show reached international proportions. “This year we went global,” says Rebecca Lenington, Executive Vice President of the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association, the association managing the show. “We had dealers from South Korea, Jamaica, Slovenia and Canada. It was also reported that we had

public day attendees from Germany and Holland; and simply put, when the generators remain on for 2 ½ hours after closing each night, you know we are moving product.”

Hershey has also become the place for manufacturers to introduce their new product lines. Tiffin Motor Home Inc, Dyanamax Corp., Peterson Industries, Cruiser RV, and Newmar

Continued from Page 1Corporation are just a few of the manufacturers who unveiled a new product line at Hershey.

“Our new Industry Day format was a big success,” Lenington states. “We cut out the early morning breakfasts and replaced them with luncheons. Registration for the Monday event rose by 550 percent and the Tuesday event rose by 53 percent. The seminars by Randy Sobel and Scott McKain were sensational. Everyone walked away with new business ideas.”

Sales were also on the rise. “The 2010 Show was another record breaking Retail Sales Event,” Nick Palm of Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. says. “Tiffin's sales increased by 44 percent over last year. Our new diesel pusher, the Breeze

was well accepted by the retail public, we sold more than we expected. Bob Tiffin states, „The Breeze is REAL!‟” “The 2009 Show was great, but this year‟s show was perfect,” Palm notes. “The PRVCA did an outstanding job promoting, organizing and orchestrating this major event. Set up and tear down was seamless and the Retail Days were non stop action! Consumer attitudes were very positive and the consumer came to Hershey to buy RVs!”

“What can I say, the weather was perfect with the exception of Thursday afternoon and even then we

had buyers walking around the show buying RV's,” Dan Saltzgiver, Show Chairman and owner of Reichart‟s Camping Center of Hanover, says. “With record attendance on most days and a record attendance for the entire show, we are ecstatic. The sales during the show were fabulous and most dealers I spoke with were very pleased with the results. I would like to thank the staff for another job well done! The attendees were also very satisfied with the show and I received many compliments on how well run the show was the how friendly all those involved treated the attendees.”

“This was the best show we have had in many years,” Earl Stoltzfus, President of Stoltzfus RV‟s & Marine, says. “We sold many units at the show

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and are still selling from the show. It will likely end up over 60 units.”

The supplier and accessory vendors also experienced superior sales at the Show. “The PA RV and Camping show was a HUGE win for ChillingTheMost.com,” says company representative Tony Altieri. “Not only did it exceed our expectation for sales at the event, but we were able to sell our products tocustomers from PA, OH, TX, MA MD, VA, CT, FL and even Canada, further expanding the reach of our products.”

The universal appeal of RVing, as well as the ability to shop and compare over 60 manufacturers at one place, continues to attract thousands of people to Hershey. “We‟re ecstatic with the success of the 2010 Show,” Lenington states. “We are in planning mode for next year‟s show to make it even better.”

The 2011 PA RV & Camping Show will be held on September 12 – 18th. For more information, visit www.largestRVshow.com.

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This year’s InSites Convention & Expo includes nearly 20 educational seminars led by the most experienced people in the campground business, according to the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC).

The three-day event, which takes place Dec. 1st to 3rd at the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, will also feature the campground industry’s largest tradeshow, with several new vendors who have never marketed their products and services at InSites before.

“This is going to be one of the best conventions we’ve ever had,” said Linda Profaizer, ARVC’s president and CEO. “We have a terrific lineup of speakers and tradeshow vendors.”

The convention will also include important industry updates, including highlights from ARVC’s 2010 media relations campaign and its 2010 Operations and Salary Survey of Park Operators, as well as an entertaining keynote address by Jon Stetson, who will lead an interactive session to show park operators how to tap into their subconscious minds to enhance their creativity and decision-making abilities. Stetson has been invited to speak

to many high-profile companies, including 3M Corp., AT & T, American Express, the New England Patriots, Pepperidge Farms, Proctor & Gamble, The Harford, Footlocker, Genetech. He has also been asked to speak to several U.S. presidents.

Seminar topics include:

How To Get More Publicity For Your Park: Park owners have three choices when it comes to publicity,” says Jeff Crider of Crider Public Relations Inc. “You can develop and pitch your own news releases to reporters. You can hire a public relations firm to do promotional work on your behalf. Or you can communicate with me and participate in ARVC’s media relations program.” Crider will describe how the news media operates and provide tips to park operators on the kinds of information they should provide to him to get the most out of ARVC’s media outreach program in 2011.

Growing Green: Barb Krumm, CPO, of Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, S.C. will describe how Oceans Lakes implemented its award winning “iCare Program,” which encourages both its team members and guests to be good stewards of the

environment. The session includes a discussion of planning, challenges and results.

What I Learned From Visiting 250 Campgrounds: Silvana Clark of Soles4Souls has visited parks across the country and will share slides and ideas on low-cost, easy-to-implement ways to improve your park by seeing how other parks operate.

More Brain Than Brawn: Let’s face it. Many guests don’t want to participate in three-legged races or lunge down a chocolate covered slip-and-slide. Silvana Clark of Soles4Souls describes a variety of fun family activities that can be done relaxing in a lawn chair rather than dodging water balloons.

Biting The Hand That Feeds: Understanding and Preventing Employee Theft and Other Theft: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that 75 percent of employees steal from their workplaces and that most do so repeatedly. The FBI, in fact, calls employee theft the fastest growing crime in America. Terrence Shulman, an attorney, therapist and consultant from the Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft and Spending is an expert on stealing and dishonesty. Come hear his talk and learn how to protect

yourself and your business.

How to Get “Free” Stuff For Your Campground: Clyde Taylor of Taylor Communications will walk park operators through a program to help your park obtain “free goods and services” for your campers. But “free” does have price. You have to know whom to ask, how to ask and what should be provided by your organization in return.

The Dynamics of Working With Your Family: Marcia Galvin, CPO, of Normandy Farms Campground in Foxboro, Mass. will provide 10 hot tips to help your family work together and “keep the peace” in the family business.

The Ultimate Business Improvement Plan for Those Who Are Too Busy To Plan: Seven Doable Actions You Can Take NOW To Improve Your Business Tomorrow: Clyde Taylor of Taylor Communications explains how to start making a plan and make it work for you.

20 Groups and the Campground Management School: Mark Maciha, CPO, and the upcoming chairman of the Campground Management School, will explain how private park operators can use the input from 20

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Group members to fine tune and grow their businesses.

Accounting Fundamentals for the Campground Owner: Donald G. Bennett, Jr., CPA and executive director of Campground Owners of New York, will discuss accounting fundamentals from deductions to credits as well as techniques and tools that can help you make each business decision pay off on the job and on your bottom line, while keeping you out of trouble.

ARVC’s 2010 Operations Survey / Salary Results: Cheryl Cothran, PhD. and Thomas Combrink of Northern Arizona University will explain the results of the survey, what it says about the current state of the industry, and how you can use this information to improve your business moving forward.

Human Resources – Know The Rules!: Kelly Jones, CPO, of Leisure Systems Inc. will discuss campground specific human resource rules and procedures as they relate to job descriptions, interview questions and the handling of personnel files. Kelly will also discuss the various resources that are available to park operators on this topic.

How To Get The Bang For Your Buck With Ancillary Income: Cheryl Smith,

CPO, of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Lake Monroe, Ind., will help park operators explore every possible source of ancillary income, not only inside your park, but from your community and your website.

Food Service: Vicki and Garry Cole, CPOs, from the KOA in Shelby, Ohio, will talk about how to develop an effective food service program at your park.

The Model Code and National Issues Affecting The RV Park and Campground Industry: Michael Hobby, CPO, of Moon Landing RV Park and Marina in S.C. will discuss what ARVC’s National Model Code is, the intent behind it and how it applies to your park. This is a must-attend class for every park owner or manager involved with code compliance issues. The National Issues portion of this session will be presented by ARVC’s legislative affairs consultants, David Gorin and Aubrey King, who will provide updates on federal issues of interest to park operators in the areas of public lands, recreation, travel, tourism, transportation and small business operations.

Campground Emergency Preparedness – The Right Way: Mark Maciha, CPRP, CPO, of Canyon Vista Training and Consulting in Arizona will help you develop a common sense approach for emergency planning for everything from

minor first aid calls to large-scale incidents.

Top Campground Industry Trends: Rental Cabins and Wi-Fi Service: Mike Atkinson, KOA’s director of lodging, and Eric Stumberg, president and CEO of Austin, Texas-based TengoInternet, will discuss the latest trends involving private park operators’ investments in rental accommodations and Wi-Fi service.

New exhibitors include

American Bedding Manufacturers, Athens, Tenn.: This company provides mattresses, replacement waterproof mattress covers, wood and metal bunk beds and furniture, army and metal folding cots, blankets, pillows and linens.

Celina Tent, Inc., Celina, Ohio: This company manufactures tents, tarps and banners in addition to distributing tables, chairs, lighting, flooring and climate control systems.

Park Brokerage, Inc., San Diego, Calif.: This company, headed by John Grant, specializes in RV park, campground and manufactured housing community sales throughout California, Arizona and Nevada.

Puzzled, Inc., Agoura Hills, Calif.: This company supplies folding cots, blankets, pillows and linens and has an online catalog.

Storm Duds Raingear, Attleboro, Mass.: This company provides quality printed umbrellas and ponchos.

Tents for Troops, Castle Rock, Wash.: This organization encourages campground and RV park operators to provide free or discounted camping opportunities to active duty military personnel.

Tradavo, Inc. of Lakewood, Colo.: This company provides distribution and retail services to small format retailers such as campgrounds, parks and hotels with retail stores.

Xcell International Corp., Lemont, Ill.: This company provides a variety of specialty foods, including coffees, bread dipping seasonings, spices, pizza kits, popcorn kits, cookie kits and various desserts.

The expo will feature a Park Trailer Pavilion, featuring park models manufactured by members of the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA).

ARVC’s annual awards banquet will take place on the night of Dec. 3rd and will include a special tribute to Linda Profaizer who will be retiring from ARVC at the end of this year. For a full schedule of events, visit ARVC’s website at www.arvc.org.

Continued from previous page

Two years after longtime Pahrump developer Hans Seibt filed for bankruptcy with $70 million in debts, a court-appointed trustee has been unable to find any assets to pay back hundreds of investors, many of them seniors who lost their life savings.

"I think it's a pretty bleak outlook for the investors to recover their money," the trustee, Lenard Schwartzer said. "I don't see any assets coming from the estate to pay them."

Schwartzer has concluded that Seibt carried out an illegal Ponzi scheme in the failing real estate market that paid earlier investors with money from later investors.

In July, Schwartzer sent letters trying under federal bankruptcy laws to collect hundreds of thousands of

dollars from the earlier investors to give something to the later ones who got nothing back.

But he said he abandoned the effort last week after finding that none of the earlier investors got back more than what they had invested with Seibt.

With hope of recovering their investments gone, the only consolation for those who lost money might be that the FBI and Nevada secretary of state's office are pressing ahead with fraud investigations.

Last month, the FBI mailed a questionnaire to Seibt's investors seeking details about their dealings with him.

Bill Holland, a Bankruptcy Court investigator tracking Seibt's money trail, said that twice in the past

month he has given FBI agents access to Seibt's financial records.

FBI spokesman Joe Dickey confirmed the bureau is investigating Seibt, but he said he is prohibited from commenting further.

Bob Walsh, deputy secretary of state for Southern Nevada, declined to discuss a securities division investigation of Seibt.

Schwartzer said Seibt did not appear to be living a wealthy lifestyle. The developer contended early in the bankruptcy proceedings that he had lost money on his Pahrump properties.

"I didn't find any indication that money has gone into foreign bank accounts or that he was stashing money away," Schwartzer said.

But several investors said that they think Seibt, a dual U.S.-German citizen, has hidden assets.

And they said they are incensed that he is spotted driving a BMW and eating at fancy restaurants. Moreover, investors say Seibt, who could not be reached for comment, might be back selling real estate.

"It just galls us to know that he may still be in operation," said Dorothy Subic, a 78-year-old retired teacher who lost $500,000 invested with Seibt.

Subic said her husband died in March 2009, leaving her alone in the fight to get the couple's money back.Full Article: www.lvrj.com

From time to time we bring our readers exclusive special deals, the latest being from Jumping Pillows USA.

This is an off season advantage that simply won’t be repeated and the ad below says it all.

The owners of Jumping Pillows USA were asked about the many existing clients with (now) older pillows.

“We now have pillows out there that are 6 years old and since those installations our material

technology has improved greatly” said Gary Wakerley.

‘The offer in our ad extends to existing clients who may be considering a replacement canvas but with three of the 10 specially priced Jumping Pillows available sold already the emphasis is on reacting fast” he said.

“It’s not every day you get to save $5000 on a tried and proven product and we’re happy to make the offer to readers of Campground & RV Park E-News first”

Trailer tenants of a campground just outside Winnipeg who are angry they will have to move while property upgrades are completed have no one to blame but themselves, says the prospective new owner.Most of the angry tenants at the Oasis Beach and Campground are those who bought leases in the past year, says Carla Devlin, co-owner of Carrington Homes.The property has been up for sale for a year and a half, Devlin said.

“There was never any certainty it would stay a park,” Devlin said. “They took that risk and bought. It’s a poor judgment call. If you feel misled you should have an issue with the person you bought the trailer from, because they were trying to get out.” The current owners, brothers Brian and Wayne Hussey, have told tenants they have until Nov. 1 to remove all structures from the property just northeast of Winnipeg at their own cost so Carrington could spend the next year

conducting a slew of necessary service upgrades before the tenants were allowed back.The Rural Municipality of Springfield discovered most of the campers’ cabanas and trailers are too close to each other, permits are missing, the access road is too small for emergency vehicles, and the water supply and drainage for sewer and grey water don’t meet current standards.Tenants will be forced to move no matter who owns the property, it’s just a matter of when, said RM councillor Karen Lalonde.“Regardless of who owns the property, the conditions have to be met before the people can use

the camp,” she said.Devlin said she and her husband had hoped to maintain the property as a campground with new and improved amenities, including a water park.Full Article: www.winnipegsun.com

LARKSPUR, Colo., Sept. 27, 2010 – The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has hired an expert in business and technology education and management to be the association’s new director of education.

Barbara Youmans, who begins her new position with ARVC Oct. 1st, has more than 30 years of experience in education involving everything from college level teaching positions to teaching and managing corporate employee training programs for major organizations, including OpenWorld Learning and ARAMARK Educational Resources (AER), a subsidiary of the company that manages food and beverage and hospitality services for the National Park Service.

Youmans developed training programs for OpenWorld for new employees as well as programs for performance improvement, volunteer training, customer satisfaction, and behavior management.

Youmans also has extensive experience developing training programs involving new computer technologies, having led AER’s effort to replace computer hardware, software and operating systems at more than 500 locations with new systems involving proprietary software.

While Youmans has not previously worked in the campground business, she specializes in developing programs to help business operators acquire the knowledge they need to implement best practices in

their respective industries.

“I find ways to help business operators share their knowledge with each other thus providing learning opportunities and better business practices for everyone,” Youmans said, adding that her initial efforts will involve meeting with ARVC board members and gaining a sense of their immediate priorities as well as any changes they would like to make in ARVC’s education program offerings.

Youmans holds an MBA in

Leadership from Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, a Mini MBA for Non-Profit Organizations from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minn.; and bachelors of science degree in Mathematics with Teaching Certification from Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

Youmans replaces Cheryl Smith, who left ARVC earlier this year to become general manager of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Bloomington, Ind.

VIDALIA — The River View RV Park in Vidalia was packed full of grills and appetites Friday, as cooks from all over the area brought their best food and recipes to compete for trophies and bragging rights at this year’s Bowie Barbecue Contest.

The contest categories included beef, chicken, pork and other, and each group entered in the contest claimed they had the best of each.

The team from Concordia Trust and Bank Company entered the beef, chicken and pork categories and team members said they were confident in their barbecue.

Team member Dorothy Millican said the group had been preparing since approximately 8 a.m.

Entrees of seafood rolled steak, beer-can chicken and pork loin were all on the menu for Concordia Trust and Bank Company in their sixth year in the contest.

Other than the pride of taking home the trophy, Millican said the whole day of cooking and competing is a lot of fun.

“You get to meet people from all over,” she said. “We look forward to competing in it every year.”

Robert King said he and his group, Nomistake Smokers, from West Monroe entered the contest to win.

“Who wants money when you get a trophy?” he said.

King said the group

entered every category, and that they love sharing food with people at the event.

“We are usually telling people to come over and eat,” he said. “Getting to know everyone is a fun experience, but the real enjoyment is in placing.”

King said he has a homemade recipe called a Cactus Roll, that contains avocado, sour cream, pulled pork and cheeses all rolled up into flour tortilla.

Don Wood said he and his wife, Roberta, came out to compete, relax and eat.

“My wife is the excellent cook,” he said. “I just come out here for the good food.”

Wood also said that while everyone at the contest was being nice, the

competition was keeping a tight lid on their food.

“Some people have been pretty secretive about their recipes,” he said.

“And we have a few secret weapons of our own.”

Larry Brent said he and his family from Gonzales came out to compete in the pork, chicken and beef categories, but more importantly they came out to share some quality family time.

“I am cooking and eating with my two sons and my nephew,” he said.

“Everybody here has been nice and we are just having a good time.”Article and Photos:www.natchezdemocrat.com

Tommy Millican of Concordia Bank & Trust Two Boars and a Sow team baths his chickens in a lemon pepper dressing before cooking them.

Lucas Brent of Gonzales, La., sprays his brisket and ribs with apple juice to keep them moist as they cook in the smoker at the River View RV Park during the Bowie Barbecue Contest in Vidalia Friday.

New Berlin, PA – Shortly, producers of the Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo, slated for November 1-3 will cease the solicitation of Sponsors and Exhibitors for the show and turn their attention to attendee registration.

“We are extremely pleased at the impressive list of suppliers who have decided to join us in the virtual world.” says Expo Producer Art Lieberman. “In the campground industry they represent the cream of the crop.”

There are dozens of recognizable names of businesses whose advertising appears in the trade media and whose booths are present at many of the physical trade show around the country. Prominent among them are the many divisions of Affinity Group, with booths for sponsor RV Tripsetter, media sponsor Woodall’s Campground Management, AGS, Trailer Life & Good Sam Clubs and Woodall’s, publisher of the trade directory.

Retailers and manufacturer’s representatives such as King Supply Company, LCN Outdoors, Brady Distributing and Wilcor International who consistently exhibit at physical shows will be present in the exhibit area. Suppliers of Wi-Fi services such as sponsor Check Box Systems, industry giant TengoInternet, CA World WiFi and Airwave Adventures will not only exhibit but will also participate in an Open Forum on the subject. Registration software company’s such as Gold Sponsor Leisure Interactive, Silver Sponsor RV Tripsetter, Campground Automation, Campground Manager, Campground Master and Go USA Camping will likewise be panelists on a dedicated Open Forum.

Insurance giants Evergreen USA and Leavitt Recreation Hospitality Insurance, both Silver Sponsors will be present to offer their services to attendees

along with industry consultants David Gorin (who will also be representing Best Parks In America) and Bob MacKinnon of MacKinnon Campground Consultants and Guest Reviews will add their expertise to the day’s events as will Evanne Schmarder’s Roadabode Productions, while Evanne actually cooks up a storm from her own RV.

Athens Park Homes, Green River Cabins and Pinnacle Park Homes will represent the building trades at the Expo. Lodging Kit Company will be looking to help furnish the buildings with kitchen supplies.

Add to these exhibitors, companies supplying games, outdoor recreation equipment, outdoor furniture, and safety and green equipment and supplies and the Expo represents a huge variety that will be of interest to all campground owners.

To insure attendance, producers have invited associations and the media to exhibit and ten such companies have accepted.

The Expo is only a little over a month away and the buzz is terrific, with phones ringing off the hook at Campground Expo. Seven personnel are hard at work to attempt to coordinate efforts to make the event enjoyable, educational and profitable. And it’s all FREE to attendees.

Register to attend now at www.pre-show.outdoorhospitalityexpo.com.

Information about the Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo can be found at their website at www.outdoorhospitalityexpo.com or by calling them at 877-901-EXPO (3976).(Website designed and maintained by Pelland Advertising)

David Gorin Art Lieberman: Producer

mailto:admin@industryenews.com

RESTON, Va. -- RV wholesale shipments to retailers totaled 21,500 units this August, an increase of 8.6 percent over last month and 20.8 percent greater than August 2009, the RV Industry Association announced today.

"Although this was a small gain in monthly shipments this August, it was the 13th consecutive monthly increase in RV shipments dating back to July of 2009," said Bill Baker, RVIA senior director of communication. "On a seasonally adjusted

annual rate basis, shipments in August this year represented a total of 250,000 units.

"Year to date, RV shipments have now reached to 177,300 units, more than 70 percent ahead of this same month last year," he added. "While all RV product categories have benefited from the growth in 2010, towable RVs continue to gain more units while motorhome totals have increased by the greatest percentage gain."

A program that aims to generate more money for Michigan State Parks begins Friday.Michigan residents will be given the option to buy annual “recreation passports” for an additional $10 with their vehicle registration fees. The passports will allow access to all of Michigan’s 98 state parks and recreation areas and boat launches.Their cost will be indexed to inflation starting in 2012.State residents currently are charged $6 a day or $24 for an annual pass.

The passport won’t be offered to out-of-state residents. They will continue to be charged $29 a year or $8 a day, officials said.The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment expects roughly 50 percent participation in the passport program. If owners of half of Michigan’s 7.5 million passenger vehicles pay the $10, it will bring in more than $35 million — nearly three times as much as the park system gets now in a typical year from vehicle and boating access fees, officials said.

President Barack Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act, which increases the limits on SBA guaranteed 7(a) loans from $2 million to as much as $5 million.

The act will jump-start the SBA's year-old dealer floor plan financing program (DFP), which has struggled to attract participation from lenders and was set to expire at the end of this month.

RVDA and its allies successfully petitioned for a three-year extension of the program and for the higher loan limits.

RVDA comments are aimed at improving the SBA's dealer floor plan program, which was set to expire at the end of September 2010. RVDA will have more details on the DFP extension and any new provisions as they become available from SBA.

Other provisions of the bill include the creation of a $30 billion fund that provides capital to small community banks to prompt small business lending, and $12 billion in tax breaks for businesses.

Other important provisions of the bill include:

$1.5 billion to support existing state small business credit initiatives.

Small businesses would be able to immediately expense up to $250,000 in capital spending. The bill also extends tax provisions that allow all businesses to more quickly write off purchases of new equipment and other depreciable property.

To encourage investments in small businesses, the bill would exclude some small business stock sales from capital gains taxes.Small business deductibles for start-up costs would be doubled to $10,000.

The bill frees up capital by allowing small businesses to carry back general business tax credits to offset taxes paid over the previous five years, instead of the current one year carry back. Anything left over can be carried forward for 20 years.

The bill's cost is to be offset by revenue-raising provisions aimed at clarifying and tightening tax rules, including tightening eligibility for a tax credit on corrosive biofuels such as crude tall oil, a by-product of paper manufacturing.

Pinnacle Park Homes Inc. announces that vinyl windows are now a standard feature in all of their park model homes and camping cabins.

The new line of vinyl windows come with a 20 year factory warranty. “This is going to be a great addition to our standard features” says Andy Davis, sales manager. “In the past

our customers had to upgrade to vinyl over aluminum windows for an additional cost and now they won’t have to! The warranty that comes with these new vinyl windows is just another plus – twenty years versus 1 year.” adds Davis. Pinnacle Park Homes Inc. can be reached at 866-574-5159 or visit their website at www.pinnacleparkhomes.com

October 18-20: Virginia CampgroundAssociation, American Heritage RV Park,Williamsburg, Virginia. For more informationcontact David Gorin at 703-448-6863or tovca@aol.com

October 19-20: Ohio Campground OwnersAssociation (OCOA) Fall Fun Day & POOT,Cherry Valley Lodge, Newark, Ohio. Formore information contact Kristy Smith at614-221-7748

November 4-7: 47th Annual CONY Conference and Trade Show, Syracuse,New York. For more information contactDonald G. Bennett at 585-586-4360 orDon@nycampgrounds.com

November 1-3 Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expowww.outdoorhospitalityexpo.com or by calling them at 877-901-EXPO (3976).

November 7-10 KOA convention in Savannah, GA Vendors interested in the Expo or Convention sponsorships can call 406-254-7435.

December 1-3: InSites Convention andOutdoor Hospitality Expo, Rio All SuitesHotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. Formore information visit www.arvc.org

December 6-8: PCOA Conference,Wyndam, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Formore information contact Beverly Gruber at610-767-5026 or info@pacamping.com

Dear RV Industry Members:

This week several RVIA member manufacturers are holding dealer meetings and events in the Elkhart, Ind. area to host their retail partners and unveil new products for 2011. As our industry continues to recover from the Great Recession, I applaud the wise business acumen of these companies to hold these events in the Elkhart area to help keep costs down, contribute to the local economy, and create excitement for their companies and the RV market at a time when business typically begins to slow.

Accompanying these events has been speculation about their impact on RVIA’s National RV Trade Show. My personal feeling is that these events will not have a huge effect on the RV industry’s premiere trade event, and I say this for a number of reasons.

First, there have always been manufacturer-sponsored dealer events like these on the calendar. In the past, they’ve taken place in Las Vegas and other locations throughout the country. What is new is that for the first time these events are taking place in Elkhart at the

same time to take advantage of lower event costs and the resulting economies of scale.

Historically, such events and efforts have not been a drain on the National RV Trade Show.

Secondly, there continues to be strong, widespread industry support of the show. This year, we will have 71 manufacturers and 230 suppliers displaying the latest RVs and products across more than 760,000 square feet of exhibit space.

That is a substantial increase over the 604,000 feet of space used last year. Additionally, my colleagues at the manufacturing companies holding these events in Elkhart have assured me that the National RV Trade Show remains an integral part of their plans this year and moving forward.

Several of these people are on the record saying as much. Dutchmen President Don Clark told RV Business in August in an article titled “Elkhart County Dealer Meeting Schedule Growing” that their event “will be a good precursor to what dealers will be seeing in Louisville.” Likewise, Bob Martin, president of Keystone, in the same article said their product

display “would be a little preview of Louisville.”

Finally, the National RV Trade Show is the one true trade-only show and a central event to the RV industry that is a must-attend for those making their living in the RV market. Over the course of the three-day show, sales and marketing teams can meet with more customers, prospects and contacts than they could in several weeks on the road.

The show provides dealers and attendees the unparalleled opportunity to see all the industry has to offer: the brands they carry along with the brands they are interested in carrying and the brands they are competing against; the many, many RV products and accessories available from a host of component parts suppliers and wholesale companies; the product offerings from RV finance and insurance companies; and, the many valuable services provided by consultants and other professional service firms. In short, for those three days, the whole of the industry and all of its opportunity is at your fingertips.

Now, while I am confident that the National RV Trade Show will continue on as strong as ever, I also pledge that the RVIA staff, the National Show Committee, and the RVIA Board of Directors will remain committed to

making sure this is the case. We will be open-minded in exploring ways that the show can be enhanced to be the best venue possible for exhibitors and attendees to build their businesses.

The fact of the matter is that the National RV Trade Show is one of the true gems of our industry. In a time when many other industry-sponsored trade shows are faltering and losing popularity, our event showcases the best we have to offer and is backed by the entire industry. The Outlook market expansion showcase that opens the show every year is one of the most eagerly-anticipated, fun, information-packed events found in any industry. The National RV Trade Show is something that other industries would love to have. And, it is something worth building on and protecting.

As we look forward to the upcoming National RV Trade Show, I offer my best wishes for success to all those attending the various events being held in Elkhart this week. I believe they will be a big boost to the Elkhart community and the RV industry while helping propel the industry to another great event in Louisville and a prosperous 2011.Sincerely,

Richard A. CoonPresident

A good way of predicting the regulatory and funding future of things environmental is to observe successful projects and favored trends in various states. Here are some examples.

Southern Nevada Water Authority including Las Vegas: a 50% landscaping limit on new residential properties, no ornamental lawns for non-residential development, and promotion of smart landscaping and smart landscape irrigation. Smart landscaping means use of vegetation that requires minimal moisture, as well as use of decorative rock, stone and other such materials instead of grass, plants, trees and shrubs.

Indian Wells, California: this city has reduced water consumption by 60% through an integrated water consumption approach to irrigation including sprinkler spacing, native plants, pressure regulated sprinklerheads and smart controllers.

South Carolina: more than 26,000 retention ponds on

the eastern coastal part of the state.

Missouri: The Deer Creek Watershed Alliance, with 21 different municipalities participating, is focused on switching out grass for native plants as a way of controlling flooding and erosion problems along the 100,000 miles of stream in the watershed area.

Farmers will tell you there is always too much rain or not enough rain. In our vast country we experience both droughts and floods at the same time, record snowfalls and record lack of snowfall. Therefore in landscaping and runoff the strategies are designed both to make do with significantly less moisture as well as to manage significantly greater amounts of water.

In your planning consider the trends. You are likely to gain approval and support if you go with the trends. In this case, it is a matter of doing what works.

By Larry

AUSTIN – Gov. Perry has received the endorsement of the Texas Association of Campground Owners for re-election.

“Rick Perry has exhibited great leadership during his tenure as governor and helped the campground industry thrive in the process,” said Texas Association of Campground Owners CEO Brian Schaeffer. “It is a pleasure endorsing Gov. Perry, who has done an excellent job attracting more people to Texas than ever while keeping taxes and fees low.”

The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) represents nearly 400 private campgrounds and RV resorts in Texas. Started in 1972 by a group of five campground owners who felt there should be independent marketing and advocacy for the private park industry in Texas. Over the years, TACO has

developed a significant consumer facing magazine with a distribution of 250,000, the most widely used website for RV parks and campgrounds in Texas, along with a presence in Austin to ensure a positive consumer experience. The association also promotes Texas campgrounds in over 25 RV shows in the U.S. and Canada.

“It is great to have the people of the Texas Association of Campground Owners represent resorts where Texans can visit with their families and friends and enjoy what the private park industry in Texas has to offer,” said Gov. Perry. “I am proud to receive the support of the Texas Association of Campground Owners, and I will continue to make sure they have the resources they need to flourish.

Brian Schaeffer TACO

Governor Perry

Recent third quarter projections from the New York Times Co.'s CEO Janet Robinson have reaffirmed an all-too-familiar trend: Online advertising revenue is up, but not enough to offset declines in print.

Robinson told media watchers that the company expected digital ad revenues to rise 14 percent and print ads to lose 5 percent.

Both of those figures are a significant improvement on Q3 of 2009, when digital ads dropped 7.2 percent and print ad revenue was down 31

percent. However, the markets were unimpressed, with the stock dropping more than 6% after the news came out.

There were a number of unique reasons for the disappointing projections. Employee buyouts and rising newsprint costs hurt the bottom line.

The Wall Street Journal’s Martin Peers blames some of the decline in circulation and, more importantly, lucrative print advertising on the company’s decision to increase subscription prices in mid-2009: “A

shrinking audience generally isn't good for ad sales,” he writes. The company also incurred costs related to building its long-anticipated pay wall and paid iPad app.

While the company is

saving money by doing the work in-house, it still needs to resolve the important question of how much to charge for access. As Peers warns, “figuring out a price that doesn't wallop demand won't be easy.”

After parsing the numbers, BNET’s Marion Maneker suggests that the Times Company “seems to be slouching toward some sort of equilibrium where the paper looks forward to freeing itself from paper and becoming a multi-platform newsgathering organization.”

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Robert "Boots" Ingram passed away peacefully at his home in Indian Wells, Calif., on Sept. 23, 2010, at the age of 80.

"RVIA mourns the passing of Robert 'Boots' Ingram, one of the RV industry’s true pioneers and innovators," said Richard Coon, president of the RV Industry Association. "He was a strong supporter of RVIA and provided tremendous leadership and guidance during his tenure on the association’s board of directors.

"He was a passionate

advocate for the Go RVing effort. But more importantly, he was a man of great character and kindness," said Coon. "His proud legacy lives on with the 'Boots' and Betty Ingram Hall at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, which stands as a testament to his generosity and love of the RV industry. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He will be profoundly missed."

According to an obituary released by his family, Ingram was in the presence of his wife and children when his friend and Lord Jesus, escorted his

wondrous and joyous spirit to reside eternally with their father in heaven.

Boots was born August 23, 1930, in Niles, Mich., to Ray and Glennah Ingram. Soon after, they moved to Elkhart, Ind., where he attended Samuel Strong Elementary School and met the love of his life, Betty Lou Grove. They continued on through graduation from Elkhart High School in 1948, and married later that year.Their love affair has endured and flourished for more than 70 years that brought forth five children, Michael (Terri) Ingram, Tony

(Stephanie) Ingram, Bob Ingram, Peg Ingram and Mark Ingram. The children then blessed Boots and Betty with 17 grandchildren who have produced eight great-grandsons. Boots is also survived by brothers the Rev. Dr. Gordon Ingram of Wilmette, Ill., Kenneth Ingram of Atlanta, and beloved mother-in-law, Dorothy Grove of Elkhart.

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