Cavco, Champion Battling in Copyright Dispute

Champion Home Builders Inc. has filed a countersuit in a copyright dispute with Cavco Industries Inc. and PHH Liquidation Trust Inc. Phoenix-based Cavco, which builds manufactured homes and RVs, and its Palm Harbor Homes division filed the initial copyright suit in U.S. Federal Court against Champion, claiming Champion violated the copyright law and misappropriated trade secrets regarding manufactured home designs and floorplans. Joseph Kesterson, a resident of Denton County, Texas, who formerly... Read more

Park Model Innovator Adds Geothermal System

Copper Lodge by Wilderness Solutions Wilderness Solutions Inc. has designed a geothermal heating and cooling system for its solar powered, completely self-sustaining park model cabin. The Indiana-based company has tested the geothermal unit this summer at its prototype unit and pronounced the test a success, Carey DePalma, president, told Woodall’s Campground Management. “With the on board water filtration system, we’re taking water at approximately 64 degrees directly out of the lake and turning... Read more

Leisure Systems Modifies ‘Symposium’ Format

Leisure Systems Inc. (LSI) is slightly modifying its traditional symposium to accommodate the changing needs and desires of its nearly 80 Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park franchisees. Woodall’s Campground Management reported that the traditional gathering, set for Nov. 5-8 at the Embassy Suites and the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., has been shortened by one day, without reducing the number of educational seminars offered to its franchisees. An outside keynote speaker... Read more

KOA Expects Record Turnout to Celebrate 50th

The largest attendance in its history and the biggest expo on record are two of the goals for the annual Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Inc. convention scheduled for Nov. 15-18 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Woodalls Campground Management reported that the convention takes on added significance this time around as it formally marks the franchise’s 50th anniversary, the theme of which is “Celebrate 50 Years of Fun.” “We expect our largest convention... Read more

ELS Teams With RV Retailers to Promote Parks

Chicago-based Equity LifeStyle Properties Inc. (ELS), the nation’s largest RV park owner/operator, is currently testing a rather unique new promotion involving its Thousand Trails membership-based “preserves” and a few aggressive, multi-store RV dealerships in an effort to “leverage that great lifestyle and open up to more of the RV universe.” Woodalls Campground Management reported that it’s all part of a new “global relationship” ELS is trying to foster between the industry... Read more

Annual TRVA Gathering Boasts Strong Turnout

Cutting the ribbon to open the 2012 TRVA Exhibitors Tradeshow and Reception are (from left) Tradeshow sponsor Martin Street with Stag Parkway; Convention Chairwoman Carol Baker (at the podium), TRVA President Diana LeBlanc with PPL Motor Homes in Houston; and Tradeshow Sponsor Craig Mellor with Stag Parkway. The Texas Recreation Vehicle Association (TRVA) reported a strong turnout for its 39th Annual Convention held Aug. 10-13 at the Sheraton Austin at the Capitol in the heart of downtown Austin. Overall... Read more

Lemonis Outlines Good Sam’s ‘Impressive’ 2Q

As sales of RVs continue to move upward in 2012, so does the performance at Good Sam Enterprises LLC, a key industry player and parent to Camping World Inc. During an investors’ conference call today (Aug. 15), Good Sam president and CEO Marcus Lemonis expanded upon the company’s second-quarter performance, which saw revenues of $146.3 million, a 13.4% increase over the second quarter of 2011, and net income of $7.2 million, an increase of 38.3% over the previous year. It was the company’s... Read more

Inductees Honored at Hall of Fame Celebration

Inductees and family members accepting on behalf of deceased inductees include: First Row (L-R): Doug Gorman, Stan Sunshine, Gerald “Jiggs” Meuret, Kaki Williamson, Jeanne Mize, Rachel Gandy, Mary Irene Younkin, Michael Evans. Second Row: Bob Olson, Kent Titcomb, Allan Yoder, Gail Yoder and Holly Yoder. An audience of more than 300 celebrated the induction Monday (Aug. 6) of the 40th anniversary class into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind. Four people from the RV manufacturing, distribution... Read more

Not All Park Model Firms Settled on Trade Ties

Matt Wald The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) has received a strong response from park model builders it invited recently to join its ranks as part of a consolidation pact between RVIA and the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA), which has been “mothballed” as part of a two-year trial period stipulated in an agreement between the two trade groups. Sixteen long-standing RPTIA members representing more than 90% of annual park model shipments are now members of... Read more

Veteran Campground Consultant Imler Retiring

John Imler Veteran RV park and campground owner/consultant John Imler is finally stepping away after nearly 40 years in the business. According to a report by Woodall’s Campground Management, as of June 1 Imler will discontinue his web page, www.imlerconsulting.com, and the five books listed on the site will be out of publication. Imler and his wife, Ruth, developed their first RV park, Campers Inn, in Dunnigan, Calif., starting in May 1974 and in 1975 attended as members the very first state convention... Read more

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