Good Sam Hosts Smaller, But Successful Rally

The numbers weren’t as strong as hoped for, but things apparently went well for the Good Sam Rally that concluded Sunday (June 24) in Louisville, Ky.

The four-day event hosted by Good Sam Enterprises LLC and staged at the Kentucky Exposition Center – site of the industry’s National RV Trade Show – drew 2,033 guest rigs, according to Sue Bray, rally director.

Bray reported to RVBUSINESS.com that the numbers were down slightly from the last rally held in Louisville two years ago and were off appreciably from this year’s spring rally at the Phoenix International Speedway, which attracted 3,370 units comprising about 7,500 people.

She added that non-RVer attendance went “exceptionally well” in Louisville as the public gate topped 5,000, thanks again to some hefty promotions in area media prior to the event.

Bray blamed the overall decrease in attendance to high gas prices and the fact that, for the first time, Good Sam is staging three rallies in one year instead of one – turning each event into something akin to a regional rally. “We may go back to one; we may go to more than three; we don’t know yet,” she noted, concerning Good Sam’s future plans.

As usual, the weather was warm in Louisville, but not as bad as in 2010 when crowds wilted under the oppressive heat. The inside venue for the more than 350 vendors and 400 RVs on display proved “very appealing and tended to negate the heat factor,” Bray said. OEMs, such as Newmar Corp. and Tiffin Motorhomes Inc., reported good sales at the event, as did Camping World, Bray noted.

On-site activities included hundreds of informative expert seminars, a veteran’s parade, guided tours to area sites and performances by Sheryl Crow, Burt Bacharach, the Gatlin Brothers and an Elvis impersonator.

The Louisville Rally also featured some new twists with Food Network Chef Bob Blumer conducting several cooking demonstrations during the “Good Sam Culinary Experience.” “It worked out well. They had really good attendance and participation,” Bray said. “People were really into it. Camping World ended up selling a lot of cooking equipment tailored for RVers.”

The Rally also staged a first-ever “Bark Park” for RVers who travel with their dogs. The fenced-in facility allowed owners to exercise or run around with their dogs. And, for the first time, RVers were allowed to bring their dogs inside the Kentucky Exposition Center. The rally also featured a dog show and pet adoptions through the Louisville Humane Society.

The final Rally for 2012 will be held in November at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

 

Good Sam Reports Profit, Sales Increase for 1Q

Good Sam Enterprises LLC reported a 5.3% increase in sales for its first quarter, ended March 31, while posting a profit versus a net loss in the previous year.

Revenues totaled $110.1 million for the first quarter, an increase of $5.5 million from the comparable period in 2011. Net income was $4,000 compared to a loss of $2.6 million. The Good Sam report does not include results from its Camping World subsidiary’s rolling stock sales.

Revenue performance among the various sectors included:

• Membership Services revenues of $37.2 million for the first quarter of 2012 increased $2 million, or 5.6%, from the comparable period in 2011. This revenue increase was largely attributable to a $1.6 million increase in member events revenue due to the timing of the Good Sam Club annual rally, which occurred in the first quarter of 2012 versus the third quarter of 2011, an $0.8 million increase in extended vehicle warranty program revenue due to contract price increases, a $0.3 million increase in marketing fee revenue from RV financing, and a $0.2 million increase in emergency road service revenue, partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in advertising revenue from RV View magazine, which was replaced with Highways magazine in 2011, and a $0.3 million decrease in Coast to Coast and Golf Card Club revenue due to decreased membership and the sale of the Golf Card Club in March 2012.

• Media revenues of $11.8 million for the first quarter of 2012 decreased $3.6 million, or 23.2%, from the comparable period in 2011. This decrease was primarily attributable to a $2.2 million revenue reduction resulting from the sale or closure of non-core media businesses in 2011, a $0.7 million reduction in annual directory revenues due to reduced marketing and phasing out the cd-rom version, a $0.3 million reduction in consumer show revenue, and a $0.4 million reduction in magazine revenue.

• Retail revenues of $61.0 million for the first quarter of 2012 increased by $7.1 million, or 13.2%, from the comparable period in 2011. Store merchandise sales increased $4.7 million from the first quarter of 2011 due to a same store sales increase of $3.7 million, or 9.3%, compared to a 1.4% decrease for the first quarter of 2011, and a $1.4 million increase due to the opening of ten new stores over the last fifteen months, which were partially offset by decreased revenue from discontinued stores of $0.4 million. One store was closed in the last fifteen months in order to consolidate operations within that area. Same store sale calculations for a given period include only those stores that were open both at the end of that period and at the beginning of the preceding fiscal year. Also, mail order and Internet sales increased $3.2 million, installation and service fees decreased $0.5 million, and supplies and other revenue decreased $0.3 million.

Earnings per segment showed:

• Membership services segment profit of $16.0 million for the first quarter of 2012 increased $1.9 million, or 13.4%, from the comparable period in 2011. This increase was attributable to a $0.7 million increase in segment profit from the Good Sam Club primarily due to cost savings resulting from the combination of the President’s Club and the Good Sam Club on January 1, 2012, a $0.7 million increase from Camp Club USA, a $0.5 million gain on sale of Golf Card Club, a $0.3 million improvement in Coast to Coast Club, and a $0.3 million increase from RV financing, partially offset by a decrease in segment profit of $0.6 million from member events.

• Media segment profit of $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2012 increased by $0.1 million, or 3.7%, from the comparable period in 2011 due to $0.4 million of cost savings from the sale or closure of non-core media businesses in 2011, and a $0.3 million increase from the annual directories, partially offset by a reduction in segment profit of $0.6 million from our magazines.

• Retail segment loss of $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2012 favorably decreased $0.4 million from a segment loss of $3.3 million for the first quarter of 2011. This reduction in segment loss resulted from a $1.5 million increase in gross profit and a $0.3 million reduction in depreciation expense partially offset by a $1.4 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

To view the entire report click here.

 

Good Sam to Disclose 1Q Financials on May 14

Good Sam Enterprises LLC announced that it intends to file on May 14 its financials for the first quarter ended March 31. The report will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The company has scheduled a conference call to discuss results at 8 a.m. (Pacific) on May 15. Marcus Lemonis, president and CEO, and Thomas Wolfe, CFO, will host the conference call.

Those wishing to listen to the conference call by telephone may dial (866) 961-7941 in the U.S. and Canada. The company intends to make a replay of the conference call available beginning four hours after the end of the live call through May 25.

The replay may be accessed by dialing (888) 266-2081 in the U.S. and Canada. You will be asked to enter a conference code, which is 1578349.

Good Sam Shows a Profit for ’11, Sales Up 2.3%

Good Sam Enterprises LLC reported net income of $3.9 million for the full year ended Dec. 31 compared with a net loss of $18.8 million the year prior. Sales for the 12 months were $481.4 million, an increase of $10.7 million, or 2.3%, from 2010.

A segment breakdown showed:

• Membership Services revenues for 2011 rose 1% to $147.8 million from 2010. This revenue increase was largely attributable to a $4.3 million increase in extended vehicle warranty program revenue. The segment profit of $58.4 million for 2011 increased $4.5 million, or 8.4%, from the comparable period in 2010.

• Media revenues of $51.2 million for 2011 decreased $2.6 million, or 4.9%, from 2010. This decrease was primarily attributable to a $3.5 million revenue reduction related to the sale of five publication businesses in 2011 (RV Business magazine in March 2011, Powerboat magazine in May 2011, Trailer Boats magazine in May 2011, guest services campground guides in June 2011, and ATV Magazine in October 2011). Media segment profit of $4.8 million for 2011 decreased $0.2 million, or 4.2%, from 2010. This decrease was due to $0.6 million of reduced segment profit in the RV magazine group primarily related to severance costs

• Retail revenues were $282.4 million for 2011, up 4.4% from $11.8 million in 2010. Store merchandise sales decreased $0.7 million from 2010 due to a same store sales decrease of $2.1 million, or 1.1%, compared to a 0.5% decrease in same store sales for 2010. Retail segment profit was $2.2 million, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 25.7%, from 2010.

To view the entire document click here.

Good Sam to Release Year-End Report March 16

Good Sam Enterprises LLC announced that it intends to file its annual report on March 16 for the year ended Dec. 31. The report will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The company has scheduled a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2011 financial results at 8 a.m. (Pacific) on March 20. Marcus Lemonis, president and CEO, and Thomas Wolfe, CFO, will host the conference call.

Those wishing to listen to the conference call by telephone may dial 866-871-4879 in the U.S. and Canada. Please allow time for the operator to obtain your name, phone number and company name. Good Sam intends to make a replay of the conference call available beginning four hours after the end of the live call through March 30. The replay may be accessed by dialing 888-266-2081 in the U.S. and Canada. The conference code is 1572336.

Good Sam Sells Off ‘Golf Card International’ Unit

Good Sam Enterprises LLC today (March 12) announced the sale of Golf Card International to Simmons Venture Group LLC, effective March 1. Terms of the sale were not released. Good Sam Enterprises has owned Golf Card since 1990.

“We are pleased to sell Golf Card to Simmons Venture Group as they will be able to take the club to the next level,” said Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Good Sam Enterprises. “The sale of Golf Card will also allow Good Sam Enterprises to focus on other core competencies of our business.”

Golf Card members receive free or discounted green fees at nearly 2,700 golf courses across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Members also receive discounts on Stay & Play packages at almost 150 golf resorts, plus a monthly e-newsletter, discounts on car rental, access to the Golf Card website which contains valuable membership information and other benefits.

 

Venciendo La Depresion Psicologica

Good Sam, NASCAR Offer Roadside Assistance

Good Sam Enterprises LLC (GSE) announced a new partnership with NASCAR to offer a comprehensive Roadside Assistance Program to those traveling by auto, truck or SUV, according to a news release.

Leveraging GSE’s existing proprietary network of service providers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the new NASCAR Roadside Assistance will provide unlimited-distance towing to the nearest network service facility. “Sign & drive” coverage will also be available in Mexico.

Coverage will be available for virtually any type of truck, auto or van. Other services will include mobile mechanic dispatch for minor roadside repairs, tire changes, jump starts, delivery of up to five gallons of fuel if the customer runs out, lockout service and lost key return . Help will be available within the coming months via a downloadable app on the customer’s smart phone. Dispatchers use GPS technology to pinpoint the customer’s location. The new NASCAR Roadside Assistance will also utilize the GSE program’s nationwide tire network for fast delivery and service so customers can get back on the road following a tire mishap.

The GSE program has nearly three decades of experience and over 1.6 million roadside rescues to its credit.

“We are pleased to partner with NASCAR and to provide this exceptional Roadside Assistance product,” said Marcus Lemonis, GSE chairman and CEO. “Taking care of customers whether on their way to work, a relaxing weekend with family or coming and going from an exciting NASCAR race weekend is our core focus.”

 

 

Good Sam Moving Headquarters to Chicago Area

Good Sam Enterprises LLC (GSE) is relocating its executive headquarters from Ventura, Calif., to Lincolnshire, Ill. The planned move was announced today (March 8) by chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis.

“Our Chicago facility provides a centralized location for all our vendors, lenders and our nationwide Camping World SuperCenter network,” said Lemonis in a press release. “Plus, it is closer to the heart of the RV industry in Elkhart, Ind.”

Lemonis said Good Sam will still maintain regional offices in Denver, Colo.; Ventura, Calif.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Bowling Green, Ky.

Good Sam Enterprises and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which include the Good Sam Club and Camping World Inc., serve the safety, security, comfort and convenience needs of the North American outdoor and recreational vehicle market via various companies, brands, products and services.

 

 

 

Lemonis to Present Today at Finance Conference

Good Sam Enterprises LLC and Camping World Inc. Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis will be among the presenters participating at the J.P. Morgan Global High Yield & Leveraged Finance Conference at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, running Feb. 27 – 29.

Good Sam Enterprises is among 200 global companies making presentations at the conference. Lemonis will deliver his presentation today beginning at 11:40 a.m. Eastern followed by a question-and-answer session. Lemonis is also expected to be involved in individualized meetings with potential investors.

Good Sam Enterprises and its wholly owned subsidiaries serve the safety, security, comfort and convenience needs of the North American outdoor and recreational vehicle market.

‘Celebrity Apprentice’ to Air Good Sam Segment

Good Sam Enterprises announced its selection in the fifth installment of NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” featuring American business mogul Donald J. Trump.

The latest season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” debuted Feb. 19 and the episode featuring Good Sam will air April 29 on NBC at 9 p.m. Eastern and will include footage of CEO Marcus Lemonis.

Good Sam was chosen among several Fortune 500 companies to be featured as a task sponsor on the popular NBC reality series. The episode will highlight some of the benefits and services Good Sam provides to the community, according to a news release.

Trump commented, “Good Sam, one of the world’s largest lifestyle organizations, provides a wide and wonderful array of products and services, and we are very pleased to have them on our show. I think the episode is exciting and definitely a great fit for our audiences.”

On the reality show, the contestants vie for strategic position, with competitive payoffs coming in the form of sizable donations to their designated charities. The contestant chosen as Celebrity Apprentice receives a $250,000 bonus check to donate to his or her favorite philanthropy.

“We are pleased to partner with Mr. Trump with his pop culture phenomenon, ‘The Celebrity Apprentice,” remarked Lemonis. “Both Good Sam and ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ have a similar focus on charitable works and Good Sam is focused on providing customer assistance in a multitude of channels. Look forward to seeing Good Sam reveal a new image to the audience.”

 

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