You and the entire industry have embraced Campground & RV Park E-News and soon you will be able to introduce your own client base to a new and very high quality monthly online publication called ‘Getaway USA’.

It will present destination ideas and pictorials, suggest itineraries and

profile Campgrounds and much, much more.

Getaway USA will promote the industry as a whole to those not yet hooked on Camping and RV’ing but equally, it’s content is of major interest to existing Campers (your clients).

The new publication ‘Getaway USA’ will

introduce you, your facilities and your area features to many millions of potential ‘New Campground Goers’ across the USA and Canada and espouse the virtues of the great lifestyle that our industry has to offer as well as portray the wholesome social environment that awaits kids and teenagers.

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It will be delivered in the same manner as Campground & RV Park E-News but the format will be more magazine style.

Essentially, the new publication will profile and promote places as well as owners and your Campgrounds, RV Parks and Resorts, along with the franchises involved in the industry. We will give insight, tips, suggestions and advice on destinations across the USA and Canada.

The publication will heavily promote the lifestyle to

adults and espouse the benefits of introducing children to a new and socially beneficial way of life.

We feel that Getaway USA is of equal interest to existing Campers and RV’ers as well as the vast majority of the general public who do not yet enjoy this pastime.

But! We want you to be the judge….

Getaway USA endeavors to set a new standard in the online communication and promotion of our Industry, not only to those who already use it but also to those who are yet to consider our Industry as their primary vacation and leisure activity.It has a genuine and

"Our starting distribution is 66,ooo,ooo, yes that’s right!66 million"

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realistic goal of ‘Growing our Industry’.

You’ll find the publication rich in content, consistent, and loaded with free stuff for its readers.

Each year the publication will ‘Give Away’ a Luxury Trailer or Fifth Wheeler, this National free competition alone is sure to enthuse our readership.

This is a major National Publication which you are very much a part of.Via our ‘Let’s Grow Together’ promotion (which will start in a few weeks) we’ll be asking you (our readers)to assess the first publication and if you deem it worthy, pass the link to the new publication on to your own client base via e-mail so that they may consider its value also; you’ll be providing them with ‘something of real value for nothing’ and it will be up to your client to register to receive their regular issue should they choose to do so.

This is the perfect time for such a launch as folks

look for alternatives in a floundering economy and with the industry as a whole improving its accommodation offerings, everyone from all dimensions of the economic spectra can be persuaded to ‘Try Campgrounds’.

We at Campground & RV Park E-News are using several means to promote to that section of the public who don’t currently have a relationship with our Industry.

It is our sincere belief that together we can grow the industry and (via Campground & RV Park E-News) along the way ‘Getaway USA’ will be making some data collection and surveys available to all individuals and associations who stand for the advancement of our Industry.

The project is dynamic and its national impact can be greatly increased with yours and a broad Industry support.

Dennis Macready: Editor

From what I hear around the traps, and the statistics back it up, last year, for most campgrounds wasn't all that bad. That all goes well for the coming months leading into 2010.

When times are tough- the tough get going: What a great phrase!

It was good to see the smart marketers take initiative and be pro active in the methods of promoting their campgrounds.

Speaking of being pro active, about ten months ago an idea gelled in my head on how to reach the millions of non campers and for some time now I have been trying to find out who is responsible and what is being done to market to the non campers, to encourage

the public to get off the sofa and go visit a campground.

Alas! No joy there so why not do it ourselves.Hence the Getaway USA concept which is focused and aimed at attracting new business to the industry as well as reaching existing campers.

Being positive kind of people, joint publisher Gary Wakerley and I have taken the initiative and set about making it happen. We look forward to your feedback and support!

Exclusive Affordable Olympic Accommodations Offerings at Whistler RV & Campground. Sites still available for one-of-a-kind experiences that bring the Olympics within reach.

Whistler RV & Campground is proud to offer an exclusive affordable Olympic accommodations pricing package to make the 2010 Olympic experience even more of a reality for the thousands of British Columbians and visitors descending on the host mountain resort during the 2010 Winter Games.

Whistler RV & Campground is announcing our '2010 Special' which offers visitors an even more affordable Olympic accommodation with nightly rates with us at $135 (CDN). Whistler RV

Park and Campground’s '2010 Special' is a 15% discount off the standard $159 per night Olympic rate. Whistler RV Park and Campground's '2010 Special' starts today and expires on February 28th, 2010. Regular seasonal rates will apply after this date. To make reservations today, interested parties are requested to contact Whistler RV & Campground directly at 1-888-222-2154, Ext. 16.

Prices for hotels and guest houses in the 2010 Winter Olympic venues have already rocketed by up to well over normal rates for the month-long Olympic Games. Instead of forking out excessive hard-earned cash to stay in a over-priced Whistler accommodation visitors can stay in a secure, full amenities RV venue for just $135 (CDN) per RV site per day.

The newly launched Whistler RV & Campground venue opens up exciting opportunities for those who want a really fun experience in Whistler without wasting time and money. "Whistler RV & Campground is one of the few companies to offer accommodations for ticket holders and Olympic enthusiasts especially at very reasonable prices",

The RV Park is located on 104 beautiful acres

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HOUMA - A shooting in an RV park wounded a 61-year-old woman in the foot tonight, her husband said.

Houma Police in Louisiana are still investigating the incident, which occurred at about 10:30 p.m.

Dianne Hebert was asleep in her trailer in the 100 block of RV Court in Houma, just off West Main Street, when three shots were fired outside in quick succession, said her husband, Chris Hebert, 61. He heard her

scream in the bedroom."She just jumps up. 'I've been shot, I've been shot'," he said.

The bullet appeared to have hit her foot, he said. He heard it fall to the floor as he pulled the blanket from her.

The shooting stemmed from a dispute another resident of the street was involved in, Hebert said. Someone attempted to shoot into the neighbor's RV and the bullets pierced his trailer.

according to Caroline Keddy, Director of Marketing. Ms. Keddy stated, "We only recently opened Whistler RV Park and Campground, just in time for the 2010 Winter Games. The general public, tourism groups as well as the RV and tenting communities are just only getting introduced to our park. At this time, our park

is only at 50% occupancy and we are working hard to ensure that our park is affordable to all and full for the duration of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. “

Whistler RV & Campground provides guests during the Olympics a pass to drive the restricted access Sea-to-Sky Highway, and complimentary shuttle service from Whistler RV Park and Campground to Olympic transit drop-off zones. Our RV Park venue is located less than 7km, 11km and 15km from the Olympic 2010 Whistler venues where various winter events will be held.

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Two things come to mind immediately after looking at these unique urban campgrounds. Firstly, there seems to be a resurgence in Airstream trailers, and second, living in a luxury trailer park on the top of a building seems a little eccentric.

These trailer park penthouses represent the ultimate in luxury living quarters in South Africa.

I would never have associated luxury living with a mobile home before, but have a look at the pics and see for yourself.

Billed out as high-end luxury suites, these spaces were each designed by a different local artist making every interior vastly different from the next.

Luxury Trailer Park on top of the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town South Africa.

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The Airstreams were modified, remodeled and hoisted by crane to be deposited directly on the rooftop of the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town with minimal post-placement installation or integration required.

This cluster of Airstreams is more an experiment in conceptual interior design with each of the seven vintage trailers hosting a different theme.

Cape Town design studio Whatiftheworld directed

the project, which tasked local artists with decorating a space with a motif of their choice.

The concepts ranged from The Ballad of John & Yoko, adorned with a guitar and simple white interior, to Goldilocks and The Three Bears, which has a quaint storybook feel to it.

While we're not not sure we could fall asleep in it, we love the dizzying floor-to-ceiling polka dot interior of Dorothy.

Rooms in the hotel start at 945 rands ($90)www.granddaddy.co.za/hotel_airstream.php

Hunter, New York – On October 31, 2009, Michael Papp, owner and operator of West Canada Creek Campsites in Poland, New York, was honored by Campground Owners of New York with the Chairman’s Award. The award was presented during the 46th Annual Conference and Trade Show of Campground Owners of New York (CONY), held at the Kaatskill Mountain Resort in Hunter, New York.

Michael Papp was selected for the Chairman’s Award by Scott Sherwood, CONY’s Chairman of its Board of Directors, for his leadership and diligence in steering CONY through a year-long strategic planning effort. Mr. Papp serves as 3rd Vice Chairperson on CONY’s Board of Directors.

In choosing the recipient, Chairman Sherwood felt

Mr. Papp deserved the award for “his many extra hours devoted to managing and analyzing data, and encouraging participation from fellow board members during this intensive period of re-organization and forward movement for CONY. These extra efforts were in addition to running a campground business and raising his two sons with his wife Sandy.”

According to Donald G. Bennett, Jr., CONY President and CEO, Mr. Papp’s efforts have lead to several positive outcomes for CONY. “Thanks to Mike’s enthusiasm and hard work, we now have an improved corporate identity with a new CONY logo, well-crafted mission and vision statements for the association, and a re-organization of our committee structure that has already had positive affects on our board’s functionality after only one meeting.”

Michael and Sandy Papp (left and center), owners of West Canada Creek Campsites, accept a Chairman's Award plaque from CONY Chairman Scott Sherwood.

Bath, NY, January 2010: Rosemary Curtis, operations manager of Hickory Hill Camping Resort in Bath, has achieved her Lifetime Certified Park Operator (CPO) & Randy Lehman, owner of Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort has been designated as a Certified Park Operator (CPO), by The National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC).

To receive this designation, a park operator must obtain a combination of courses and equivalency credits totaling Seventy-Five (75). This is accomplished by attending seminars and obtaining hands-on experience working in a park.

A CPO who has been recertified five times can receive lifetime certification in the program.

A CPO is someone who understands that running a campground or RV park and providing the highest level of customer service possible requires continuing education, training and professional development, as well as a never-ending desire to learn how to do things better in a society that is constantly changing. The Lifetime CPO designation is the highest professional designation possible in the RV park and campground industry.

Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort, owned by Randy Lehman, is a beautiful full amenity camping resort located on 210 acres in the Finger Lakes Wine Country. They offer 220 sites, 24 rental units, an extensive recreation program, relaxation with a massage (Finger Lakes Wellness Center on site) and fun for the whole family.

Rosemary Curtis

Lodge accommodation

Two people have been killed, two injured, and at least six RVs destroyed during the last three weeks in incidents linked to the use of electric space heaters.

Fire officials say more caution needs to be exercised in their use. Kurt Strey, fire chief in New Berlin, Texas, recalls the results of a recent travel trailer fire. “People who were using space heaters either overloaded it or placed it too close to something combustible,” he said. “A lady who was

sleeping inside woke up to a trailer full of smoke and kicked out a window to escape.

She narrowly escaped with her life.” In Florida, a man and his daughter escaped a burning fifth-wheel after their electric space heater began sparking and the rig filled with smoke.

A man in Seminole, Oklahoma, wasn’t so fortunate. Fire officials recovered his body from a travel trailer that had been heated with multiple space heaters.

Go RVing has named Winnebago Industries Chairman, CEO and President Bob Olson to serve as co-chairman of the Go RVing Coalition, the RV industry's national advertising and market expansion initiative. Olson joins RV dealer Tom Stinnett of Tom Stinnett's RV Freedom Center (Clarksville, Ind.) as co-chair of the industry-wide coalition, replacing Dicky Riegel, who was recently named Thor Industries senior group president with responsibility for Thor's bus group, investor relations and strategic acquisitions."Bob Olson is the ideal

person to assume the co-chairmanship of Go RVing," said Riegel. "Bob and Winnebago are avid supporters of Go RVing, and Bob will now help sustain and accelerate the campaign's momentum going forward. Bob's talents and passionate advocacy for the RV industry dovetail perfectly with those of co-chairman Tom Stinnett.

Though I will miss working with Go RVing in my new role at Thor, I am confident that Bob and Tom will make an outstanding team bringing real benefits to the RV industry."

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a Star Trek fan. I’ve been fascinated with how quickly we’ve actually caught up with the 25th century depicted in that TV and movie series.

I watched with fascination as Captain Kirk spoke into a small transmitter and uttered the immortal words “Beam me up, Scotty” (words that he actually never said, by the way). It was only a few years later that I possessed such a transmitter called a cell phone.

I was also intrigued with the fact that money was never mentioned in Star Trek. They did mention “credits” sometimes and later in the series “gold-pressed latinum” seemed to be a form of currency, but cash and checks were never alluded to in the series. Apparently, they had ceased to exist in a culture where everyone could get what they needed to survive. After all, they had “replicators”.

In the latter part of last year, Great Britain took us

one step closer to the Star Trek universe. The British Payments Council announced that, on a target date of October 31st, 2018 the central cheque clearing house would close and the British public would no longer be able to pay by, or receive checks as a form of payment.Wow! No more checks in England. Could the US be far behind?

The Payments Council made the decision due to the fact that the use of checks had been in a long-term decline and they were faced with the choice of either managing the decline to ensure that personal and business check users had alternatives available to them or stand back and let the decline take its course. Since 1990 the use of checks had fallen by 40%. They decided that active involvement would help prevent confusion and deliver alternatives. They decided to set a target date for the closing of the clearing house for checks and make the announcement.

During the next nine years

they will promote existing alternatives and find new options for payments. The Council expressed concern for the elderly or other vulnerable individuals and stated that a full review of the new policy would be undertaken in 2016 before the actual closing of the check clearinghouse. Paul Smee, Chief Executive of the Payments Council, noted that customers won’t see any IMMEDIATE changes in the policy and that the target date is still a long way off. There are, he stated, many more efficient ways of making payments than by paper, in the 21st century, and that it was time to take advantage of them. Smee insisted that a significant amount of work, research and consultations had been done to convince the Council that the 2018 date is feasible.

The decline in the usage of checks is also obvious to the financial institutions here in the US, as younger Americans have resorted to paying their bills by phone or online, either by credit card or debit cards, or automatic monthly deductions from their bank accounts. If they pay by credit cards, generally only one check will suffice to pay all their bills to the credit card bank.

In the past 3 years, campground owners have noted the increase in the

use of credit cards or debit cards by campers, from 57% in 2007 to 59% in 2008 and then a huge jump to 69% last year.

Campers are unlikely to even carry a checkbook although some still carry cash. Debit card transactions increased 17% last year alone. The expression of people on line in supermarkets watching people at the checkout writing out a check is evidence of the annoyance at check payers.

Visa now has the famous commercial of people swiping their cards and suddenly being stopped by someone paying by cash.So, are the “credits” that Captain Kirk and the gang spoke of in the 25th Century coming soon? Will the cards we now use, be the payment method, not of that century, but of the 21st?

Art Lieberman is President of MCPS for Campgrounds, a credit card processor sponsored by Woodforest Bank NA. Art has been in the Credit Card industry for nearly 12 years. Art has been conducting webinars online and seminars on credit cards in many State and Regional Association Conventions. He can be contacted at art@mcpsforcampgrounds.com

By Art Lieberman

By Larry

The current jargon in environmental talk is “best practices”. But “good management” says it better. Conserving is also part and parcel of environmental responsibility but we could all conserve and still be poorly managing environmental resources.

Good management reduces the amount of resources being consumed. Put another way: those who manage wisely will rarely have any need to conserve or ration.

As a new year gets underway look around your premises for the obvious. What do you see when you look up outside? • Any tree branches about to fall? • Any branches hanging over wires?• Any wires that whip around when the wind blows?• Any poles beginning to lean or tilt?• Any shingles missing?

• Any roofs beginning to sag?What do you notice inside each of your buildings?

• Any spots on the ceiling indicating moisture or mold?• Fans running for no good reason?• Unnecessary lighting?• Light bulbs and fixtures that could be replaced by more efficient ones?• Plaster, textured materials, tiles or anything else that is loose and could fall?• Any drafts? Any leaking faucets?• Cracked flooring? Insects, flies, bugs?• Air holes in the walls, around the windows, where the floor connects with the walls?• Inefficient window panes or glass that is too weak to withstand storms?

You get the idea: environmental responsibility includes a large amount of common sense. The first consideration is safety and the second is wise use of heat, electricity and water, as well as good air quality.

Alert: watch the Cap and Trade legislation in Congress closely. If passed it would likely mean taxes or fees on every emission of every building, and fines for exceeding quotas.

Representing Beachcomber Camping Resort and the Brodesser Family, Tammy Gomez and Kristen Gallego presented a check for $27,000 to Joanne Carrocino, president and CEO of Cape Regional Medical Center and Tom Piratzky, executive director of Cape Regional Medical Center Foundation.

The occasion marked the 16th year Beachcomber Camping Resort has held major “fun-raising” events to benefit Cape Regional, according to a release.

“Each December, Tammy Gomez visits Cape Regional on behalf of the Brodesser Family and presents Beachcomber Camping Resort’s annual gift. The gift is addressed to Cape Regional Medical Center, but the reality is that it is a gift to the Cape May County community, because the services, technology, and enhancements made possible by Beachcomber’s

hard work and dedication benefits the entire community, both our residents and visitors,” stated Carrocino. “Our deep gratitude goes out to the Brodesser Family and the Beachcomber Campground organization.”

One of Beachcomber’s main “Fun-Raising” events is its “Big Non-Stop Auction Weekend”,

throughout this weekend, campers enjoyed bingo-mania games, rubber ducky regatta, bike raffle, silent and live auctions, plus a fun Chinese auction for the kids! The auction was a huge success. The Brodesser Family and Beachcomber Camping Resort would like to thank all the community businesses and Beachcomber campers for their generous donations and hard working effort for

From left, Kristen Gallego and Tammy Gomez, Beachcomber Camping Resort, Joanne Carrocino and Thomas Piratzky, Cape Regional Medical Center.

making this years’ Auction “Fun-Raiser” better than ever!

In addition to the Auction Weekend, Beachcomber holds other events throughout the season including Spring and Summer raffles, Zinging Hot Wing Contests and Chili Cook-Offs, The Polar Plunge, Haunted Halloween Hayrides, Carnival Night, and let’s not forget the Bingo Mania game where one lucky seasonal camper can win up to the value of next year’s seasonal site, compliments of the Brodesser family.

Through the efforts of the Beachcomber Campground “fun-raisers” over the years, the Brodesser Family has donated over $245,500 to the hospital and will continue their fund raising efforts for years to come.Article and photo:www.capemaycountyherald.com

Mike Atkinson, Kampgrounds of America System Development Manager

Mike Atkinson, Kampground of America’s Facilities Development Manager, has been elected to the Recreation Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA) Board of Directors. The RPTIA is a nonprofit trade association that represents and provides information and assistance to all segments of the park model and trailer industry, government agencies, media and product owners or potential owners. Mr. Atkinson, known to

KOA franchisees as ‘The Lodge Guy,’ and considered to be one of the leading experts on park models in the camping industry, has been a KOA Facilities Development Manager for three years. Since 2006, Atkinson has

collaboratively designed, engineered, manufactured, marketed and sold a new line of park models specifically for the outdoor hospitality environment, branded the KOA Lodge. Prior to working with KOA, Mike was a franchise owner himself, as well as a business owner in the construction and engineering fields. “I am looking forward to sharing a campground perspective that incorporates an understanding of marketing, sales, and end-user demands,” says

Atkinson. “I’m honored to help RPTIA successfully navigate future challenges and leverage exciting opportunities.”

http://www.capitalvillagesoup.com

The Arizona State Parks Board voted unanimously last Friday to begin shuttering state parks, a move that will leave the parks system with fewer than one third of its properties open by June 3.

Board members said they had no choice but to close 21 of 30 parks and recreation areas following last month's special session of the Legislature, in which $8.6 million was cut from their budget. That was on top of $34 million in cuts in the

previous year. The parks system records more than 2.2 million total visits a year, according to the Arizona State Parks Department.

Organizers of the annual RV show in Grand Rapids say their business is getting better. The fourth annual Camper, Travel and RV show is the largest in the state.

Last weekend, organizers say numbers at the gate were up and so are the sales, giving the industry a nice bump."Last year, the RV dealers at the end of the summer were starting to see the market come back and people getting interested in buying again," said Mike Wilbraham, Show Manager. "They were a little concerned that it

might just be a blip, but it's continuing on."

Wilbraham says travel trailers had the most sales at the show. That's because they are easy to operate. Sales of the big RV's are also up.Wilbraham says they had record attendance at the RV show all weekend.Article and photo: www.wzzm13.com

Four Jellystone Park campgrounds have been recognized by the Good Sam Club as being the “Best of the Best” campgrounds in North America. Each year, campgrounds are inspected and rated on three categories on a scale of 1 to 10: completeness of facilities, cleanliness and physical appearance of restrooms, and visual appeal. Only those campgrounds who rate in the top 100 of all North American campgrounds are honored as “Best of the Best.” While all Jellystone Park campgrounds pride themselves on above-average facilities and cleanliness, these

locations are consistently recognized for their achievements.

Jellystone Park campground in Frankenmuth, MI received a 9/10*/9

Jellystone Park camground in Memphis, TN received a 9.5/9.5*/9.5

Jellystone Park campground in Missoula, MT received a 9.5/10*/9

The new Jellystone Park campground near Branson, MO received a 9.5/10*/9 (this campground was formerly named Shoals Bend RV Park & Campground)

Developers behind a proposed 1,500-lot RV resort on Gull Lake said reviews by provincial departments have not put any roadblocks in the way of the development.

Lance Dzaman said officials from several departments, including Alberta Environment, toured the property last year to see the 750-acre site and get updated on development plans.

“They put some questions to us that we had to take back to our engineers,” he said. “If there are concerns we’ll answer them before we go any further.”

Dzaman said the rules and regulations are in place and it is just a question of designing the project to meet those standards.

Lacombe County, where the project is located, has encouraged the developers to meet with provincial departments to iron out issues such as the treatment of sewage and the project’s impact on the environment. Sandy Point would include a 27-hole golf course and a marina.

Alberta Environment wants the county to take long-term responsibility

for the communal wastewater systems that proposed RV resorts will require to ensure they remain viable.

The Sandy Point project has several options for disposing of wastewater.

It could be piped to Bentley for treatment, and returned to use for irrigation, or an onsite treatment plant could be built.

The province and the developers want to know what Lacombe County’s preferred option is.

Then, a final concept plan can be developed to present to council.

The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has also reviewed early concept plans.

A department biologist said he could only offer general advice at this stage.

Only the entrance and exit areas for the marina should be dredged and a riparian buffer maintained around the lake.

Meanwhile, county council has voted to hold another public hearing on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. in council chambers on changes to the Recreation Vehicle

Resort District regulations in the county’s land-use bylaw.

The county has been struggling with finding the best way to allow three-season RV resorts to be developed while putting measures in place to discourage them from becoming permanent communities.

For instance, it has been proposed that permanent foundations and

basements be banned and the size of accessory buildings restricted to stop them from becoming garages or additional living spaces.

A public hearing on an earlier set of changes was held in the spring and generated a number of concerns from the public who feared the resorts would become over-developed. Article: www.albertalocalnews.com

CONCORD, N.H. -- Campground owners had a chance to speak their minds at the state's Legislative Office Building Tuesday, upset over what they call an unfair tax that is hurting their business.

Last year the New Hampshire legislature passed HB 1445, a bill that imposed a 9 percent rooms and meals tax on campgrounds.

Opponents of the bill said it does more harm than good and was unfairly imposed, with no public hearing, and hurts the tourism industry greatly.

Some said that during the camping season a good percentage of people shopping in local grocery stores and plazas on a given weekend night are

campers. Owners said campers won't want to pay twice, meaning once they get hit with the campground tax they will pass on the pizza from a local pizza parlor that night.

Campground owners and legislators said New Hampshire now has the highest tax on campgrounds in the country and makes the state less attractive -- allowing neighboring states to pick up disgruntled campers.

Rep. Gene Chandler (R-Carroll), a sponsor of the bill to repeal the tax, said this was the largest tax hike in the country as the tax went from zero percent to 9 percent.

Article: www.wmur.com

A Chiefland Fla. business owner told city commissioners meeting that Walmart is hurting his business.

Renee Pichet, owner of Chiefland RV Park, said that Walmart’s practice of allowing RVs and travel trailers to park overnight is causing him to rethink $100,000 worth of renovation and expansion plans he had for his park. “Walmart’s great,” he said,” but they became campground-friendly.” Pichet told commissioners he often sees eight to 10 RVs parked in Walmart’s parking lot, only to return to his own park and find eight to 10 empty sites. Vice-Mayor Teresa Barron told Pichet, “ I, personally, don’t feel comfortable asking Walmart to do that because it’s their own private property. I feel they have that right.” But Pichet said, “Walmart told me, ‘Pass an ordinance, and we’ll abide by it.’”

City Attorney Norm Fugate, later in the discussion, told the commissioners, “If you want to regulate it, you can certainly do that.” Though he added he hadn’t had adequate time to check into the matter. Building and Zoning Director Bill Hammond

said it would be hard to enforce such an ordinance. “You’re not going to be able to single out just Walmart,” he said.

Currently, the city allows campers to park for 24 hours with the property owner’s permission. Walmart’s website says many of their locations allow overnight parking to enhance the “one-stop shopping experience.” Though it also states that it’s left to the discretion of the store managers, and that the stores usually comply with local ordinances.

One audience member told the commission he understood where Pichet was coming from, stating that it’s hard for a business owner, who pays taxes, registration fees and has a vested interest in the community, to sit back while a large corporation takes business from you.

Mayor Teal Pomeroy told Pichet he would get with Hammond on the issue and get back to Picket on it.

Commissioner Frank Buie said, “Mr. Mayor, I think that’s a good idea.”Article: www.chieflandcitizen.com

Elkhart County, Indiana today announced $10 million in assistance through Recovery Zone Facility Bonds. This assistance will be used to fund the first of three holiday villages. The first holiday village site will be located in Elkhart County.Family Holiday Village Elkhart, Inc. (FHVE Inc.), its European partners and investors plan to invest over $205 million in a family holiday village in Elkhart County. The project will launch in 2010, immediately after Elkhart County, Indiana was targeted as a critical site to be supported by President Obama's Stimulus Package. The region was severely impacted during the global economic downturn and is seeking economic diversification through business attraction.

The Village, modeled after successful European holiday villages, will offer more than 100 different activities and services for entertainment and leisure

including an enclosed tropical water park, shopping facilities, spa and restaurants. Approximately 600 family villas will surround the Village Center. Rental units will average $55 per person per night. The site location for the village is the American Countryside Farmers Market in Elkhart, Indiana.

FHVE Inc. estimates the construction costs of the village to be $205 million. FHVE Inc. also estimates that the construction of the village will create 500 jobs during the building phase with yet an additional 500 permanent jobs to support the operation of the holiday village. Once in operation, the Village is expected to generate $135 million in revenues per year and draw more than 1 million tourists to the local area every year.

Mike Yoder, a Commissioner for Elkhart County, said, "Elkhart County has decided to

allocate $10 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds because this project will create not only a significant number of direct jobs in Elkhart, but will generate new business for companies servicing the Holiday Village and produce significant tax revenues for the County over the years to come."

The bonds will be issued through one of the leading financial institutions and are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2010. The Family Holiday Village Elkhart will seek additional support for the project from the state of Indiana.

Background

The Family Holiday Village concept has been successful in Europe for the past 20 years and has held a strong market share regardless of economic downturns. Currently, occupancy levels in Europe in similar villages remain high, at around 85% year-round and are highly profitable. It is also one of the sectors in Europe that continues to expand.

The family holiday villages are aimed at the needs of urban residents who wish to escape city living and spend quality time with friends and family. Guests are able to relax in a private and environmentally friendly

surrounding that combine the privacy of secluded villas with over 100 outdoor and sporting activities, shopping, dining and quality spa treatments and a range of family activities.

A team of experienced professionals

The group behind this development consists of local business people in Elkhart that currently operate the American Countryside Farmers Market in Elkhart. They have teamed up with the International Leisure Consultancy Group (ILCG), which will be responsible for the development and operation of the villages, and Carpathia Global Capital as its co-investor and financial advisor.

The Village will include: 600 secluded villas, in a mix of 4, 6 and 8 person villas and 60 apartments, fully equipped and furnished, offering privacy and luxurious facilities at an expected rental rate of $55 per person per night. Two large covered glass domes in the Village Centre, accommodating extensive entertainment and leisure facilities, including a commercial & shopping plaza and a large covered water park. Artificial lakes scattered throughout the Village will enhance the relaxing atmosphere.

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The catchment area includes major metropolitan areas of the U.S. Midwest, a huge potential market for the holiday village. It greatly exceeds the market conditions of similar European operations, which have enjoyed an overwhelming success in the past. It is expected 85% of the visitors will come from outside of the state of Indiana, primarily from Illinois and Michigan.

Recession-proof concept

Similar Family Holiday Villages in Europe have been attracting relatively

more guests during economic downturns, as people are inclined to stay closer to home and live on a constrained budget.

Management

The management team has extensive experience in the leisure industry and in developing and managing similar Holiday Villages with leading pan-European corporations. They have all held key positions at family holiday villages in Germany, UK, France and the Netherlands.

Source: Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart

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The strength of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar encourages Canadian Snow Birds to flock to the California’s Imperial Valley.

Now that the Canadian dollar can go further in the U.S., winter visitors from Canada stay longer and spend more, according to the Imperial Valley Press,

El Centro, California. Les Smith, general manager for Desert Trails RV Park in El Centro, said the

exchange rate between the United States and Canadian dollars has encouraged Canadian Snow Birds to stay in the Valley.

What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The lush growth rising above the water, graceful fish darting about and the soothing sound of the water. These are just a few of the reasons people are drawn to water gardens.

But when you think about adding a water feature to your garden, you are torn, because you know that a charming pond can also be a mosquito hatchery. And, everyone is concerned; rightly, about mosquitoes and the diseases they spread.

It is true, mosquitoes do need water to breed, but at the same time, there are so many effective ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in ponds, you should not let that stop you. Water gardeners are in a unique position; they can have wet spaces that can actually help stop mosquitoes from breeding.

Just a few simple precautions are all you need to feel safe and

enjoy such a wonderful addition to the landscape.

With the growing concern about mosquito diseases, like West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever, it is natural to feel reluctance to add any water source around your home. With the right precautions, you can beautify your garden and still feel secure that you are not inviting mosquitoes into your immediate environment.

If water gardening appeals to you, just educate yourself, take the needed precautions, and get ready to enjoy the beauty and serenity a water feature adds to your home.

About the author:Scottie Johnson is a life long mosquito warrior, freelance author and organic gardener. For all the information you need about killing and repelling mosquitoes, visit her site at:www.mosquito-killnet.com

Sarah Lawlor, communications manager for Travel Montana, the state’s promotions arm, said people appear to be putting in fewer miles on their vacations and taking more frequent road trips instead of the traditional grand-tour vacation of the past.

National parks are seen as good values, especially with the addition last summer of three weekends on which entrance fees were waived.

“As we’ve heard and witnessed, people are continuing to travel despite our economic trials this past year, but they are adopting different travel habits,” she said. “Travel and vacations are essential to a lot of people, and, when finances are challenged as they were for many in the last year, they make accommodations.”

She said they spend less in areas that they can control, and that may mean camping instead of booking a hotel. Both tent camping and RV camping saw large increases in 2009, Lawlor said.

At Glacier, the number of backcountry overnight

stays increased 52 percent, while RV stays increased 29 percent. Yellowstone saw a 7 percent increase in tent stays and a 12 percent increase in RV stays, she said.

Mike Gast, communications vice president for KOA, said the international campground company headquartered in Billings had one of its best summers ever.

Campgrounds near the national parks had years that were among their best ever, he noted. Many of those visitors were local or regional.

“People are just camping closer to home,” he said. “That’s a big trend for us.”

RV travelers, who make up 80 percent of KOA visitors, held steady as did tent campers, who make of 10 percent of the guests.

The biggest growth was in cabin-type lodges that many campgrounds are adding to their accommodation choices.

Looking ahead

Forecasts for the 2010 tourist season are mixed.

The U.S. Travel Association, a national industry group, predicts modest growth of about 2 percent.

Hotelmarketing.com said a TripAdvisor survey showed that Americans plan to travel more in 2010. Forty-one percent said they will spend more on leisure travel, and 92 percent said they were planning two or more leisure trips in 2010, up from 89 percent in 2009.

And 66 percent said the economy won’t affect their travel plans.

Doggett, of the Montana Innkeepers Association, said most in the travel industry don’t expect much from the first

quarter of 2010, but think an increase of 2 or 3 percent might be expected in the second and third quarters.

People are more optimistic than last year, Doggett said, but unforeseen factors that could change that.

“You never know about oil and gas prices,” he said.

Hoeninghausen said another emerging trend makes the season harder to predict: People are waiting until the last minute to make their reservations.

“Reservations came in as late as I remember last year,” he said.

Things were so slow in April that some reservations agents were sent home, he said.“Things didn’t kick in until May,” he said. “It was like a light went on, and we were flooded with calls, and it just kept on that way through the summer.”Full Article:www.billingsgazette.com

Mike Gast: KOA

At long last it appears that there is a brightening horizon for the national economy and the RV market. The stock market is strengthening. Job loss is slowing. Productivity and manufacturing hours are on the rise. Home sales are increasing. And, most importantly, RV shipments are once again trending upward.

As business conditions improve and consumer confidence returns, what can stop the RV industry from returning to an era of sustained growth and profitability? Short answer: Ourselves.

If we, as an industry, don't continue to keep our eye on the important trends that will affect our business in a dramatically changed economic and psychological environment, we could easily find ourselves the victims of Weapons of Self Destruction.

For the RV industry, failing to understand the post-recession consumer would be a big mistake. We'd like to share some advice on understanding the post-recession consumer and the trends that define them so that we don't self-destruct.

Gaining that understanding begins before the recession when home

values were high, credit was plentiful and investments were booming. It was common for consumers to spend freely on luxury goods, prestige brands, high-end technology, exotic travel experiences and second homes. It brings to mind the marketing mantra -- "Whoever has the most toys wins." In pre-recession times, many Americans would pay dearly to show they were affluent and successful.

In the RV market, this was seen in the dominance of larger units with all the bells and whistles, including kitchens worthy of an Iron Chef, over-the-top luxury touches, and electronics galore.

While the recession hasn't stopped cold the demand for such amenities, it has slowed the buying binge, bringing customers with a new mindset to RV dealerships. For many consumers, the recession has also changed "shop till you drop" to "don't shop." This means that shoppers will be more cautious and conservative about their RV investment.

Fortunately, the innate value of the RV travel experience and the versatility of our products mean that our industry can readily adapt to this new breed of careful shoppers

— if we take time to understand them and respond to their needs. According to the latest market research, post-recession consumers will be affected by these five new trends:

SimplicityConsumers have had a lot to worry about over the past couple of years — investment and income losses, credit card debt, job fears — and they want to simplify their lives, reduce stress and have more time for themselves and their families.

They're cutting back on eating in restaurants, reducing air travel, and they're doing without luxuries like spa and salon services, instead focusing on simple family pleasures like board games and picnics.

These consumers are ripe for the message that RVs simplify travel by putting them in control. RVers go where they want, when they want...in their own home on wheels. No hassles — RVing is the family-friendly way to travel affordably, eat home-cooked favorites on the road, and enjoy the stress-busting effects of the outdoors.

These buyers will also be attracted by product lines that offer comfort, durability

and quality, but not necessarily all the extras emphasized in pre-recession product development. Experts advise that offering diverse product lines with multiple price points is the key to market recovery in these times of frugality.

Discretionary ThriftIn our current state, even those with good incomes and significant wealth are economizing — even if they don't have to.

Disillusioned with excessive consumption, these consumers are seeking value without paying big name premiums. They are looking for savings at every opportunity. The recession has made this kind of thrift fashionable — and parents want to pass this habit on to a generation raised on instant gratification.

RVs can be a good fit for this emerging consumer behavior. An RV is an investment with long-lasting returns — not only in financial savings over other types of travel, but in memories that can't be valued in dollars. These are the RV value messages your sales and marketing staff should be communicating — on your websites, in your sales brochures, on your lots.

By B.J. Thompson, RVIA Public Relations Committee Chairman and Gary LaBella, RVIA Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Continued next page

For today's thrift-oriented buyers, fuel economy is also paramount. The industry trend toward lighter-weight, more fuel-efficient products must continue in order to attract the buyers of today and tomorrow. Mercurial ConsumptionBefore the recession, consumers were moving quickly from product to product to keep up with the Joneses and find "the next big thing." This mercurial consumption still happens, but now saving money is a primary motive.

For example, when the recession hit, many coffee drinkers quickly replaced their Starbucks habit with a daily fix at Dunkin Donuts, McCafe or even 7-11.

As reported by USA Today, in the travel and tourism industry, there were mercurial shifts to camping last summer. As cost-conscious families looked for options to replace their expensive pre-recession vacations, camping became an attractive alternative, even to those who hadn't tried it.

How do we make sure these new campers become confirmed RVers? Dealers, campgrounds and manufacturers should work together to create displays at campgrounds, dealerships or outdoor recreation shows to make

sure campers know that RV camping is an ideal vacation alternative for the times, and for the future.

By now it may be apparent that these post-recession trends present opportunities to bring new people into the market that may not have considered RVing in the past.

But as these new buyers arrive, market research indicates we may find them fickle and harder to please than repeat buyers loyal to the lifestyle. Should these new consumers experience problems with quality or service, they may go back to other options, or just stay home — after sharing their bad experience on the worldwide web.

Instantaneous InfluenceThat leads us to our fourth trend: Instantaneous Influence. The rise of social media has accelerated the potential for customer dissatisfaction, because now word of mouth is immediate and global. This can work for us or against the RV industry.

If companies take the time to create their own Facebook, Twitter or MySpace pages, or encourage their customers to become Go RVing Facebook fans, they can turn their satisfied buyers into online ambassadors. But social media isn't enough. In today's business environment, it's more important than ever to treat the customer right and

make products that don't disappoint. Individual brands will almost certainly get just one shot to wow a new customer. A bad experience may leave a sour taste forever.

Living GreenOur fifth and final consumer trend: Living Green. In recent years, consumers have shown a rising interest in going green. They're recycling more, avoiding waste, conserving resources — and even spending a little more for products they perceive to be eco-friendly. While the recession slowed this down, it's not going away.

For example, some companies that track car-buying habits suggest there's a landmark cultural shift underway leading to the rise of products like Zipcar hourly rentals and Smartcars. These researchers have observed people questioning auto purchases like never before. They are delaying their first car purchase, cutting back to one car instead of two or even three, or even riding bicycles.

Their reasons? They want to save money and be more green. Carmakers fear that these buyers, while extreme in their behaviors, may not return and may inspire others to follow suit.

What must our industry do

to keep such a damaging cultural shift from ever happening to RVs? Manufacturers should be commended for their progress in making RVs more eco-friendly, but must continue to strengthen product lines that offer fuel-efficient, environmentally engineered units. We must educate consumers to understand that research shows that RV travel actually conserves resources and impacts the environment less than flying, driving and staying in hotels. Our future is Living Green.

As we look closely at these five emerging trends, it's clear that RVs can be the perfect vacation vehicle for the post-recession consumer. We offer a simple, traditional, family-friendly outdoor experience at a cost far less than the competition. And we can do it in a way that's friendlier to the environment.

Responding to these consumer trends in product development and marketing efforts will keep the RV industry from becoming the victim of Weapons of Self Destruction.

Thompson and LaBella, authors of this article, initially presented this paper on Dec. 1, 2009 at "Outlook 2010: Let the Sun Shine" at RVIA's National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky.

This week's featured Listing

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The latest product to hit the campground industry is receiving major interest by owners who see these bikes as an opportunity for good revenue by renting them to campers.

The bikes are not only "green" environmentally

friendly but are safe and extremely economical with a battery charge range of up to 25 miles.

Campgrounds can purchase the bikes outright for as low as $1195 ensuring an excellent and fast return on investment.

Battery Charger: 110 volt smart charger, UL ListedTires: Front 16 x 2.5" and rear pneumatic 10 x 3.5"Color: White and Black (Custom Paint Jobs Also)Size: 40" L x 26.8 "Wx 5.7" HWeight: 93 lbs.Comes With: headlight, taillight, and horn. (Basket Optional)