KOA’s Jim Rogers: Camping Forecast is Sunny

Editor’s Note: The following article was written by Jim Rogers, president and CEO of Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA), for the October issue of Woodall’s Campground Management. KOA is celebrating its 50th year.

No matter where you turn, you’ll find evidence that future prospects for outdoor activity and campground occupancy growth are extraordinary. KOA intends to combine the best of its past with its best innovation and leadership for the future to assure its continued success for its franchisee partners.

Whether you are reading Dr. Richard Curtin’s “The RV Consumer in 2011,” the 2010 Harris Interactive Research on “RV Perceptions and Purchase Motivators” or the “Outdoor Industry Foundation/Coleman/KOA Special Report on Camping,” you can only conclude that the outlook for all types of camping are outstanding.

Our campers, our prospects and the marketplace they create have changed dramatically, as have the ways we can effectively communicate with them. KOA believes that sales and service strategies going forward must be pro-active and align directly to personal needs, wants, travel/recreational preferences and economics.

KOA will adapt its marketing and services to better attract and serve the ethnic diversity that is present within our population. Today’s outdoor participants are over 80 percent Caucasian. But America’s largest camper base lives in California where the Hispanic population is approaching 40 percent. Population forecasts further confirm a much wider ethnic diversity throughout the United States in the future. These factors represent significant incremental growth for KOA campgrounds.

KOA will further emphasize its operational focus of thinking from the “outside in” not the “inside out.” We think about our customers/guests from their perspective. Outdoor enthusiasts pursue a variety of activities in different ways. A backpacker may own an RV, a kayaker may hike, fish, bike, and use both public and private campgrounds. RVers and campers want greater cooperation between us all. They just want us all to make it easy for them to find and service their gear and to enjoy the many activities that the outdoors provides them.

You can’t pick up your favorite form of media and not see a story about the outdoors. It is prevalent in discussions today as it relates to health, youth, tourism economics, adventure travel, the need people have for an “unplugged” peaceful environment and affordability.

The Harris Interactive study concluded that nearly “10 million households nationwide should be categorized as potential RV owners.” Wow! Curtain’s update pointed out the fact that over one quarter of all former RV owners intend to re-enter the RV lifestyle and that is significant.

The 2011 Special Report on Camping sponsored by the Outdoor Foundation, Coleman and KOA reiterates the magnitude of the camping marketplace. The report on camping estimated that approximately 40 million Americans or 15 percent camp annually. The most cited reason for reducing the number of camping trips was a lack of time due to work and family commitments.

KOA believes that loyal returning customers are the best customers we have. They buy more, recommend to others, reduce marketing costs and are less price sensitive. They are word of mouth/mouse champions and promoters. They also help us by introducing new people to the life style and outdoor fun. And KOA’s one-of-a-kind marketing technologies will only improve its abilities for targeted initiatives and improved ROI’s on marketing investments for our franchisees and the company.

Camper research also confirms that over half of private campground guests today are “regional” if not “local.” Due to time constraints, fuel prices, and the availability of great destination campgrounds close to home, RV families are taking advantage of nearby campgrounds. This trend is here to stay and our campgrounds are rapidly adapting to the different hospitality requirements of these trends.

We know that uncertainty is here to stay. Market indicators substantiate that there are plenty of prospects and a growing interest in camping/outdoors. KOA’s high-tech, high-touch strategies are aligned to optimize these trends for years to come.

 

 

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 yet,” said Jenny McCullough, director of training and events. “We’re expecting about 600 attendees this year. So far, we’re on track for a great convention. We have more people signed up now than we ever had at this point.”

Along with a multitude of industry-leading learning opportunities and fun, the convention will feature the KOA Expo, including more than 130 vendors offering special products to attending KOA owners and managers, as well as the annual KOA Care Camps Charity Auction to benefit these special summer camps for children with cancer.

A good attendance would be consistent with KOA pronouncements that the camping business has been strong this season across much of the U.S. and Canada.

To read the entire article click here.

ARVC Adding Enhancements to Member Sites

Members of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) now have the ability to make real-time changes to their park’s profiles on GoCampingAmerica.com.

“Each park now has its own page and its own URL destination on GoCampingAmerica.com, which they can populate with photos, links to YouTube videos and other social media applications,” Jennifer Schwartz, ARVC’s senior director of marketing, stated in a news release.

The new interface, which can be accessed through the park operator login on GoCampingAmerica.com, also gives ARVC members the ability to quickly and easily enter new search criteria for amenities, recreation, site preferences and services on a 24/7 basis. ARVC members can also highlight their park’s lifestyle options and affiliations.

“We need every ARVC member to check their park’s profile not only to make sure that it’s accurate and up to date, but to ensure that they’re taking advantage of the growing marketing power of the GoCampingAmerica website,” Schwartz said. “The whole point of this effort is to make it easier for consumers to find your parks and the specific amenities and services they’re looking for,” she said.

ARVC said that GoCampingAmerica is generating more than 90,000 unique visits per month and the numbers are increasing as a result of new ARVC advertising and media outreach efforts to promote the GoCampingAmerica site.

“This is why it’s critical that ARVC members update their park’s profile pages,” Schwartz said. “Is your GPS location correct? Are your amenities listed correctly? What kind of recreational activities do you provide? How long has it been since you’ve updated your photos? These are the kinds of the things park operators need to check to make their best pitch to consumers and get the most out of GoCampingAmerica.com.”

More Options Redefining Camping Experience

Camping is an experience that’s been redefined regularly, especially in the past century since the first RVs started wheeling out into the American countryside.

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., reported that just a few decades ago, most people would define camping as the heading out to sleep under the stars, sheltered perhaps by a tarp, in a tent or at least in some sort of camping vehicle out in the woods, on a mountain or along a stream or beach.

That’s changed, especially for city folks, where camping may not even require getting out of town.

Riverside State Park’s Bowl and Pitcher Campground is on the west edge of Spokane’s city limits, yet roughly 50% of the clientele at the park’s four campgrounds are locals, said Chris Guidotti, park manager.

More than half of those staying with Kampgrounds of America (KOA) say they were at home the night before arriving at the campground, according to KOA CEO Jim Rogers. That’s a 25% increase over seven years.

Rogers says work demands, kids’ schedules, high gas prices and other concerns are all contributing to the trend. “They just want to stay within reach and go away for shorter time periods,” he said.

And if there are no good hiking or biking trails nearby, many commercial campgrounds have rooms with treadmills, weights and exercise bikes.

The low cost of camping compared to staying in motels or lodges is an attraction that hasn’t changed with trends to more amenities, relatively speaking. Sites at developed campgrounds in California can be found for $30, but you’ll look hard to find a motel room at that price.

The most obvious trend in recent decades are the options and amusements available at developed campgrounds.

To read the entire article click here.

 

 

Mich. Campgrounds, Retailers See Resurgence

A slowing economy, predictions of a temperate summer and long-term gas price concerns are prodding consumers in Michigan to look toward their tents, pop-ups and recreational vehicles to get away from it all for a lower-cost family vacation.

As reported by the Detroit News, advance reservations at state campgrounds are up 23% over last year, the second straight year of increases after a long decline, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. State parks are on track this year to break 1 million camp nights, a level the state has not experienced since 2005, state officials said.

Campgrounds and retailers specializing in camping gear say they had a booming Memorial Day, the traditional start of the camping season. That bodes well for the summer months, travel forecasters said.

“In surveys, RV owners say gas prices would have to hit $8 (a gallon) before they would consider skipping their outdoor vacations,” said William G. Sheffer, director of the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC), a trade association in Okemos.

Singles, families and baby boomers are targets for an industry hungry for a comeback. Stores, trade groups and others are investing in emotional marketing campaigns, such as REI’s sponsorship in the “Great American Backyard Campout” effort. Its website promoting today’s event extols, “Remember that magic moment when you put up that tent all by yourself?”

Stores including Summit Sports, a small chain with two stores in Metro Detroit that began selling camping gear this year, also are promoting high-tech, lightweight gadgets options. One is Coleman’s LED Quad Lantern, a bright single unit that separates into four separate lanterns for those late-night bathroom treks.

There is an emphasis on easy-to-use gear and in-store instruction, said Fidel Carino, manager at Summit Sports in Brighton.

“We’re not going to send you out there without knowing how to use the equipment,” Carino said.

Public and private campgrounds also are adding amenities such as Wi-Fi, knowing the difficulty some people have going offline.

Some are offering comfortable rental RVs, cushy and untraditional camping entertainment options. Besides singing songs and roasting marshmallows, for example, campers can check out the new zip line, outdoor bowling and sand lagoon at the Flint/Holly KOA campground.

These amenities are needed to hook first-time campers and convince former campers to try it again, said Mike Ebach, a Gander Mountain store manager in Traverse City and a partner in the state’s First Time Camper program, which loans camping gear for $20.

“So many people switched from a $150-per-night hotel room to a $25-per-night campground,” Ebach said. “Now those people who camped last year and had such a great time are now trying to recruit their friends.”

To read the entire story in the Detroit News, click here.

 

Campground Industry Embraces ‘Green’ Policies

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from an article authored by Jeff Crider for Woodall’s Campground Management examining the growing “green” initiative in the camping industry as operators utilize products and strategies that conserve energy. To read the entire story click here.

Ocean Lakes Family Campground has made headlines over the years for its investments in solar energy and recycling and promotion of electric vehicles.

Last summer, the 893-site, Myrtle Beach, S.C., park opened the first electric vehicle charging station on the Carolina coast, while also recruiting its guests to recycle more than 330,000 pounds of solid waste.

But as the nation celebrates Earth Day in April, Ocean Lakes is turning its attention to an admittedly less glamorous but equally important green initiative: the installation of locking, spring-activated sewer caps.

Turns out, Ocean Lakes, like many other low-lying campgrounds, RV parks and resorts along the East Coast, is vulnerable to heavy downpours, including tropical storms and hurricanes. But by installing watertight sewer caps at each campsite, Ocean Lakes not only can prevent floodwaters from entering its sewer system, but also, more importantly, prevent sewage from rising up through the pipelines and contaminating park grounds.

“This new system guards against sewer backups and infrastructure failures from storm surges,” said Kevin McWhiter, Ocean Lakes’ manager of maintenance and facilities, adding that the caps can also help control sewage processing costs.

Locking sewer caps are the latest in a growing variety of environmentally friendly products that campgrounds, RV parks and resorts are purchasing to reduce their water and sewer consumption, while reducing potential sources of contamination.

Chicago-based RV Home & Marine Solutions has made growing sales of an environmentally friendly holding tank product called Nature-Zyme, which not only destroys odors and liquefies waste, but nourishes and rejuvenates the biological processes used in septic systems. In some cases, park operators are finding that ongoing use of Nature-Zyme can actually extend the life of their septic fields.

“What’s really encouraging for us is that our campground customers are recognizing that our holding tank product provides a greater advantage to them in the preventative maintenance of their septic systems,” said Dave Kozy, vice president and director of operations for RV Home & Marine Solutions. “In fact, continued use of Nature-Zyme can actually help remediate septic systems by moving our enzyme products into the field where they are doing their best work.”

Texas Park Owners See Returns on Investments

When a Dallas-based investment group bought Almost Heaven RV Resort two years ago, the 142-site park was in a pretty sad state of repair.

But, according to a press release, Almost Heaven’s new owners weren’t about to give up on the resort, which had previously been popular with Winter Texans. So they brought in Horizon RV Resorts, which has developed a reputation in the RV park business for rescuing faltering RV parks and making them profitable businesses again.

So far, the Dallas-based investment group is pretty happy with its decision.

“We brought the park back to life,” said Randy Hendrickson, Horizon RV Park’s president and CEO.

Occupancies are running 30% to 35% ahead of last winter’s figures, fueled largely by Winter Texans who decided to give the resort another try after Horizon implemented $45,000 worth of targeted cosmetic improvements.

Hendrickson also worked with Brian Schaeffer of the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO), who outlined a marketing strategy that included banner ads on TexasCampgrounds.com as well as prominent exposure in the Texas RV Camping and Travel Guide.

“The person who asks the loudest for the business generally gets it,” Hendrickson said.

Almost Heaven is also generating increased year-round business by offering discounts to cancer patients seeking treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children’s Cancer Hospital and other Houston area facilities.

Looking back, Hendrickson said Almost Heaven’s downward spiral could have been avoided if the resort had kept up with its marketing and made ongoing improvements to the park. Unfortunately, he said, they got too comfortable and felt they could get away with not making these investments.

“When you stop spending money on marketing,” Hendrickson said, “people stop coming. And if they stop coming, you don’t have money to spend on infrastructure. So the business spirals.”

And if occupancies are not maintained, the parks don’t retain enough of a margin to reinvest in improvements.

“You have to show that you’re reinvesting in the property as a commitment to the guest,” Hendrickson said, adding that it didn’t take long for Almost Heaven’s guests to realize the previous owner had lost in interest in the property.

For more information on Almost Heaven and Horizon RV Resorts, visit their respective websites at www.almostheavenrvresort.com and www.horizonrvresorts.com.

 

ARVC Reports Solid Bookings for Outdoor Expo

Advance bookings for the Nov. 30-Dec. 2 National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ (ARVC) Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo have exceeded last year’s conference figures by 35%, according to officials.

“There is a great deal of excitement about this conference, and we’re seeing it in advance registrations and hotel bookings,” said Paul Bambei, ARVC’s president and CEO.

He said the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort & Spa is already booked solid with conference attendees, prompting ARVC to arrange overflow rooms at the Mulberry Inn, another hotel nearby. “There are still plenty of rooms left in Savannah, but people should move quickly to secure their reservations and registrations if they haven’t done so already,” he said.

This year’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo will feature networking opportunities, important updates regarding various new ARVC initiatives, an awards banquet, the private park industry’s largest trade show as well as 43 educational seminars, more than twice the number of any previous ARVC conference.

Seminar topics include:

• Business Management: Specific sessions will focus on how to make the most of your leadership style; how to handle change; how to pinpoint ways to improve the profitability and functioning of your business; how to use 20 Groups; and how to rehabilitate an older park. Other sessions will cover disaster planning and recovery as well as business risk prevention, risk-based maintenance and employment and cyber liability risks. You’ll also have opportunities to learn how to manage negative guest feedback and how to deliver astonishing guest satisfaction.

• Business Technology: Are you using Cloud computing or T10 I-phone applications in your business? Should you be using smart phones or I-pads? Now is the time to find out.

• Employee Training and Motivation: Conference attendees will learn not only how to attract and retain great employees, but how to build high performance teams. Special session will also focus on how to manage Workampers and how to motivate and manage the Millennial Generation (Those born between 1982 and 1997).

• The Latest Trends in Green Technology: Consumers are increasingly purchasing electric vehicles. Experts will discuss electric car charging, recycling electricity and other green opportunities.

• Marketing and Public Relations: Specific sessions will address the latest trends in social media, marketing, public relations and the use of the Internet to promote your business. You’ll learn how to develop media and marketing plans, how to get started with social networking, how to use QR codes and video to promote your business and how to use Google Analytics to measure your results.

For more information about this year’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo, please visit www.arvc.org.

 

ARVC Debuts Members-Only Online Magazine

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has launched ARVC Voice, an online members-only magazine that features news stories as well as embedded videos that highlight best practices and innovations in the campground business.

“We’re using cutting edge technology with one of the leading online magazine companies,” said Paul Bambei, ARVC president and CEO in a press release, adding that the inaugural issue of ARVC Voice was emailed to the association’s members on Monday (Oct. 31).

ARVC Voice, which replaces the ARVC Report newsletter, will be emailed to association members 11 times a year, with a single issue for the December/January period. Each issue of ARVC Voice will be produced by Evanne Schmarder, a videographer and digital marketing expert who previously reported and edited the ARVC Report.

“ARVC Voice is not a newsletter, but an online magazine,” Bambei said, adding that it is being produced in a flipbook format using Zmags software. “This format is very easy to read, easy to navigate and very intuitive,” he said. “We think ARVC members will be pleased.”

While ARVC Voice is delivered in an electronic format, individual pages, sections or the entire issue can be saved, downloaded and/or printed. It also has a built-in search function to enable members to search for particular words or phrases.

Advertisements are hyperlinked to each advertiser’s website, which is a desirable benefit to companies interested in marketing their products and services to campgrounds, RV parks and resorts across the country, Bambei said.

Schmarder said each issue of ARVC Voice will be developed to provide news stories that are not available elsewhere in print or online publications serving the campground industry, with a heavy focus on human interest stories and best practices about ARVC members themselves. It will also contain useful information about member benefits, green initiatives and the latest information involving government affairs issues of interest to private park operators.

“While media experts claim electronic publishing is clearly the most efficient and widely adopted method of trade industry communication today, we recognize many members still like a printed version from ARVC. For that reason, we are committed to sending our members three printed issues of ARVC Voice in 2012, recapping a collection of the best content from the previous four months. Look for this first printed issue next spring,” said Bambei.

“We are asking ARVC members to consider shooting video at their parks focusing on their own unique innovations and breaking news,” Schmarder said, adding that a section of ARVC.org is being developed where members can upload content they would like to be considered for publication in ARVC Voice.

Based in Denver, ARVC is the national voice of the outdoor hospitality industry. For more information, visit www.arvc.org.

 

Peter Warrick: Southeast Publications’ Founder

Peter Warrick, founder and president of Southeast Publications USA Inc. which served the campground industry for 24 years, died May 17.

In 1986 Warrick started an advertising agency, Southeast Publications USA Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In its 24 years Southeast Publications USA Inc. has become the leader in the site map and area guide industry servicing over 1,300 accounts every year. Some other products include marinas guides, fairground interim directories, hotel/motel room guides, guest guides and campus guides for major universities, community colleges and private schools.

The firm also provides resl estate guides, shopping center directories, chamber of commerce maps and golf guides.

Warrick was active in a number of diverse business.

He opened Warrick Custom Hobbies in 1972. Warrick Custom Hobbies of Plantation, “The Hobby Super Store,” is one of the leading hobby retailers in the U.S. with sales worldwide.

Warrick also started Vespa of Fort Lauderdale in 1974 and was a major dealer for Vespa of America. In 1983 he became a Yamaha motor scooter dealer. He got re-involved in the scooter business in 2006 and opened what is now The Scooter Superstore of America with 10 locations.

Southeast Publications will now be under the leadership of Peter’s son, Wally. Wally has been involved with Southeast Publications, as well as his father’s other businesses, for many years.

“Along with the expertise of Southeast Publication’s vice presidents Wayne and Carlene Morris who have been with the company since 1990 and have 40-plus years combined experience in the site map industry, Southeast Publications will continue to lead, continue to grow and continue to create ‘The Best’quality products for its customers,” according to a company statement.

Warrick was born in Detroit in 1947 and had been a resident of Fort Lauderdale since 1949. He was a graduate of Fort Lauderdale High School, class of 1966 and attended Broward Community College.

He started his business career with Burger King Corp. in 1965 as an hourly employee and left Burger King in 1973 as regional manager to start his own business.

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