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

Carefree RV Resorts Seeks Expansion Funding

National RV Communities LLC (NRVC) is seeking to finance an aggressive acquisition plan by tapping the private equity market for up to $400 million in new capital. Woodall’s Campground Management reported that Scottsdale, Ariz.-based NRVC, doing business as Carefree RV Resorts, has held informal talks this spring with potential investors and has scheduled four formal sessions this week in New York City. “It’s an exciting time. The initial response we have been getting is phenomenal,”... Read more

WCM Report: ARVC’s Bambei Eyes Key Issues

Paul Bambei Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from an interview by Woodall’s Campground Management with Paul Bambei, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), following a three-week road trip that took him to many state association conventions and meetings as well as an ARVC board meeting. To read the entire interview click here. According to Bambei, key issues facing ARVC include: •Performance Licenses: Foremost on the member benefit front... Read more

RPTIA Soliciting Votes on Possible RVIA Merger

The Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA) is surveying its 45 members on their opinion about reuniting with the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Votes will be tallied the end of the month and the RPTIA board will go from there, RPTIA Executive Director William Garpow told Woodall’s Campground Management. An affirmative vote would put the RPTIA into a state of suspension dependent upon subsequent actions by the RPTIA and RVIA boards, Garpow said. To view the... Read more

N.C. KOA Campground Hosting WWE Entourage

WWE buses camped at Fayetteville, N.C., KOA. The KOA Campground in Fayetteville, N.C., is hosting some special campers. Woodall’s Campground Management reported that six Prevost buses housing staff and professional wrestlers from the WWE arrived at the campground on Wednesday (Dec. 7) in preparation for WWE’s “Tribute to the Troops” scheduled for Sunday (Dec. 11) at Fort Bragg located 16 miles away. The buses are camped at the entrance to the park, which underwent a major expansion last... Read more

ARVC Conference Gets Under Way in Savannah

After two days of pre-conference activities, the annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo sponsored by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) officially gets under way today (Nov. 30) in Savannah, Ga., according to a report by Woodall’s Campground Management. Held at the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort & Spa and the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, ARVC’s Conference and Expo will bring together campground owners and operators from across... Read more

Leisure Systems Reports Solid Growth for 2011

Leisure Systems Inc., franchisors of the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, and its 77 franchisees registered some healthy numbers in 2011. According to a report by Woodall’s Campground Management, in his annual presentation to franchisees during the LSI Symposium Nov. 13-17 in Covington, Ky., Chief Operating Officer Rob Schutter Jr. reported that overall revenues grew 7% in 2011 over 2010, while same-park revenues were up 5%. That’s on top of a strong 2010 when overall revenue... Read more

Good Sam Turns Focus to Roadside Assistance

The evolution of the company formerly known as Affinity Group Inc. (AGI) continues. Woodalls Campground Management reported that the name of the company was changed on May 2 to Good Sam Enterprises LLC, and today (Nov. 11) during a conference call to bondholders, CEO Marcus Lemonis offered the public a new description of the company. He said the company could best be described as “a financial services company that has some clubs and magazines as marketing tools.” “Roadside assistance... Read more

‘Surprise Visitor’ Not Coming to ARVC Confab

For awhile, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) thought it had the perfect “surprise” visitor for its upcoming national conference in Savannah, Ga.: a Supreme Court justice who camps. According to a report by Woodall’s Campground Management, ARVC CEO Paul Bambei said a plan was being formulated for Associate Justice Clarence Thomas to visit the convention, which opens Nov. 28 in Savannah, and address the assembled ARVC members. Thomas was born in the Pin Point community... Read more

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