(March 19, 2009) -- Dealers can easily find themselves owed tens of thousands of dollars, or more, from manufacturers for warranty reimbursements, incentives, and other spiffs that become virtually uncollectible if the manufacturer ceases its business operations. This challenging business environment means RV dealers should reevaluate their manufacturer business partners, and determine their exposure to risks from a manufacturer.

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(March 19, 2009) -- Overall show attendance was increased by as much as 19 percent from previous years. In many instances, daily attendance numbers highlighted show-stopping traffic, with reports of up to a whopping 39.5 percent increase on the Saturday, marking the best Saturday ever in the history of the show.

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(March 19, 2009) -- Tournament play began yesterday and continues through March 22 when the finals are telecast live from Norwich, Conn., on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. EDT. The event is rebroadcast March 23 at 1 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

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(March 18, 2009) -- All-in-all, the winter regional shows brought out more than 30,000 interested RV enthusiasts to see what's new in the industry. With some show's attendance up and some slightly down, overall attendance was just about what it was last year for all the shows combined. This bodes well for a quick sales recovery once the national economic climate improves, said David Kelly.

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(March 18, 2009) -- In these economic times, information is knowledge, and knowledge is power. That's the emphasis of the Texas Associations of Campground Owners' 2009 Spring Meeting and Trade Show is to help campground operators increase occupancy, maintain those increases and implement reasonable cost cutting measures.

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(March 18, 2009) -- “The recession is temporary, and most campground and RV resort operators believe that it behooves them to move forward with their improvement plans if they want to remain competitive with other travel and tourism options,” said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

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(March 17, 2009) -- “We are talking to and educating the Federal Reserve Board about the problem that the AAA-rating presents for the RV industry,” Donnelly said. “Our focus in these conversations is to have RV floor plan loans covered even if they don’t meet the AAA-threshold.”

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(March 17, 2009) -- Private campgrounds and RV resorts are collectively moving ahead with plans to spend millions of dollars in capital improvement projects this year, despite the recession, according to private park operators and industry officials. As a result, she said, many private park operators are investing in new facilities and amenities this year, which include everything from cabins and yurts to miniature golf courses, skate parks and waterslides.

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(March 16, 2009) -- According to the February travelhorizons survey, the U.S. Traveler Sentiment Index rose to 90.2 in February 2009 from 78.2 in October 2008 due to an increase in the perceived "affordability of travel." In recent months, the Go RVing campaign has been heavily promoting the affordability of RV ownership and RV travel in the down economy.

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(March 13, 2009) -- Upon learning that 325 Country Coach International members were notified that their March owner’s rally was cancelled and their registration fees totaling $50,000 weren’t being refunded, Lazydays RV SuperCenter, the nation’s No. 1 single-site RV dealer, offered the members a complimentary rally in its place.

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(March 13, 2009) -- Since January, Go RVing ads have driven roughly 250,000 visitors to GoRVing.com, and just under 7,000 dealer leads have been collected. Although web traffic is down as a result of the decline in media spending, the leads remain strong with 52 percent of Go RVing respondents who provide information on their purchase intentions saying that they are very likely to visit a show or dealership this year – compared to only 33 percent last year.

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(March 13, 2009) -- Rob Snow, with Capital Carillon Partners, explained that, under TALF, the United States Treasury is providing $20 billion in credit protection to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which will then lend up to $200 billion to investors looking to purchase asset-backed securities (ABS) that are backed by the following loan collateral: RV, auto, motorcycle, credit cards, student loans and SBA loans, as well auto and RV floorplan facilities.

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(March 13, 2009) -- The Revconeers enjoy a pre-rally gathering in Georgia's watermellon country as they prepare for the Family Motorcoach Association's annual convention next week in Perry, Ga.

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(March 13, 2009) -- Approximately one hundred classic travel trailers and motorhomes will return to camp on the grounds of the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs State Park this August. Many of these vintage vehicles, dating from the 1940s through the late 1970s, will be open to the public.

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(March 12, 2009) -- "I don't see credit freeing up for 12 to 18 months because there is such an issue with asset values," said Rob Snow, of Carillon Capital Partners. One participant in the meeting said the current federal proposals will no little, if anything, to help the RV industry. "It feels like we are left on our own to live or die as an industry in a mess we didn't create," he said.

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(March 12, 2009) -- Through RVIA's efforts, the RV industry has been included in both the Term Asset-back securities Loan Facility -- or TALF -- and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Both provisions contain language that could still hamper the credit market's willingness to make RV loans but the association remains hopeful it can get some the restrictions eased.

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(March 11, 2009) -- Workshops for owners and GMs will focus on cash and personnel management strategies to stay competitive. Sales manager workshops will cover essential techniques for making more sales in a tough market. There will also be important workshops on acquiring inventory financing and sessions that can help dealers get more buyers qualified. Educational workshops and the Expo will include a special focus on new products and services dealers can use to help build profits. RVDA will schedule a series of dealer-manufacturer brand committee meetings.

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(March 11, 2009) -- The meeting focused on two critical areas: the need to welcome more international visitors and the business community's concerns about the dramatic nationwide downturn in meetings and events.

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(March 11, 2009) -- The group's new director of accreditation and job mart is Kelli Harms, APR, a public relations specialist with Winnebago Industries. She is a member of Minnesota PRSA's accreditation committee. Harms earned her master's and bachelor's degrees in communications/public relations from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

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(March 11, 2009) -- The Recreation Dealers Cooperative Association announced the resignation of Ron Wheeler, who has lead the REDEX Buying group for more than 10 years. The management reigns will be handed off to John Mancinelli. As executive director, Mancinelli will be working directly with the REDEX board and its members.

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(March 10, 2009) -- “There are festivals, concerts and other interesting outdoor activities taking place every month in California, and there’s almost always a private campground or RV resort nearby,” said Debbie Sipe, executive director of the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, adding that many parks offer the ability to place instant online reservations through Camp-California.com.

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(March 9, 2009) -- The change in status for TACO from Affiliated to Direct membership began when the ARVC board in 2007 raised ARVC membership to TACO parks by 35 percent beginning in 2009. Rather than cut TACO benefits by 35 percent or automatically raising TACO dues to cover the increase, TACO decided to bill the ARVC dues separately from state membership, giving TACO members the choice of membership to ARVC in 2009.

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(March 6, 2009) -- Studies have shown that families who RV together spend more time together. In fact, 90 percent of RV owners say that it is the best way to travel with kids. “The new ads really portray our important message of bringing families together and will hit home for many individuals,” said Alana Fontaine, Go RVing Canada spokesperson.

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(March 4, 2009)-- The National Auctioneers Association (NAA), the nation’s leading association of auction professionals, reported today the results of its 2008 industry survey. In 2008, approximately $268.4 billion in goods and services were sold at auction in the United States, a decrease of slightly less than 1% compared to 2007.

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(March 3, 2009) -- Caught between a bankrupt company and an angry group of motorhome owners, the County Coach International owner’s group today vowed they would continue serving the needs of members whether or not the company remains in business.

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(March 3, 2009) -- The hour-long prime-time program typically showcases top RV amenities, the newest and coolest products and models, and includes upbeat comments from consumers and dealers attending the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Show.

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(March 2, 2009) -- While leads have fallen, they are outpacing the funding cuts Go RVing has withstood as the amount of industry funding available for media declined -- and leads quality has held up, the RV Industry Association said in a press release. Thus far in 2009, 51 percent of respondents to the Go RVing ads said they were very likely to visit a show or dealership within the next year, compared with 33 percent in 2008. This year, 33 percent of consumers say they’re somewhat likely to visit a show or dealer, compared with 45 percent last year.

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(March 2, 2009) -- "RVing is a tremendously popular lifestyle that will endure through these tough economic times, because it's the most cost-effective way for families to have a great vacation," says Coon. "Solid traffic at RV shows and the innovation going on within our made-in-America industry are signs that the long-term outlook remains positive."

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(Feb. 28, 2009) -- “You have an extraordinary industry, and your best days are ahead!” said Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.). “The pent up demand for your products is breathtaking.” The congressman said that he is confident that with the much needed relief in the credit markets, the recreation community will bounce back and that his congressional district -- home to Elkhart County -- will soon be a symbol of success.

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(Feb. 27, 2009) -- With the availability of RV financing continuing to be a major issue facing the industry, The RV industry Association has produced “RV Financing: A Vehicle for Growth,” an informational DVD designed to help recruit banks, credit unions and financial institutions into the RV market.

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(Feb. 26, 2009) -- According to new ads, which are running beginning today, "The Department of Labor is reporting a loss of nearly 200,000 travel-related jobs in 2008 and Commerce Department data predicts a lost of an additional 247,000 travel-related jobs in 2009. That number may grow if the rhetoric is not toned down."

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(Feb. 26, 2009) -- Data released today by the RV Industry Association showed that Total RV shipments were down 70.7 percent, compared to January 2008. A total of 7,300 new units arrived on dealer lots in January, compared to 24,900 units the year before.

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(Feb. 26, 2009) -- "Recreation Unlimited serves over 3,000 individuals with disabilities and health concerns on an annual basis, and the donation will be used to offset the cost of the Recreation Unlimited Summer Residential Camp Program," states Paul Huttlin, executive director and CEO, in a press release.

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(Feb. 25, 2009) -- The website simply serves as a repository and auction site for this distressed inventory and is dedicated to compiling the most current listings of RV distressed inventory available to dealers only.

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(Feb. 25, 2009) -- The campaign will feature targeted emails, media exposure and a dedicated website where dealers can find an archive of information and useful quick tips for improving their aftermarket operations. Additionally, dealers will be able to quickly browse new products available in the aftermarket to keep on top of the latest offerings for their customers.

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(Feb. 23, 2009) -- The entertainment lineup for the Albuquerque Rally is set, and it boasts some big name entertainers sure to delight Rally guests of all ages. Some of the entertainers include Neil Sedaka, Rita Coolidge, The Osmonds and Papa Doo Run Run.

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(Feb. 17, 2009) -- "We're hopeful that the stimulus will work as planned," says RVIA President Richard Coon. "It contains favorable elements that we hope will help improve the economic environment for our industry and stimulate RV sales."

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(Feb. 19, 2009) -- Even with the drop in attendance, dealers were impressed by the promising RV buyers who attended the shows. Local banks and credit unions made retail financing available for consumers, and dealers left both shows with a much needed boost in enthusiasm after a lack of sales over the past 10 months, said Bill Sheffer, MARVC director.

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(Feb. 16, 2009) -- TACO President Brian Schaeffer said the 28 percent increase in unique visitors was accompanied by a 21 percent increase in page views. “This means that people are taking more time to see what campgrounds and RV resorts have to offer in terms of facilities, amenities and activities,” he added.

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(Feb. 13, 2009) -- Stephan King, a CPA and partner at Moss Adams LLP, will deliver a series of web seminars that focus on Managing Through the Crisis. The first in the series is dedicated to cash management.

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(Feb. 13, 2009) -- Motorhomes are included in a tax provision that allows a portion of the sales or excise tax paid on the purchase of a new motorhome to be deducted. The deduction is attributable to taxes applying to the first $49,500 of the purchase price. Individuals with an adjusted gross income of up to $125,000 and joint filers with an adjusted gross income of up to $250,000 are eligible for the deduction.

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(Feb. 12, 2009) -- "We know that everyone is extremely busy during these most difficult times, but we felt the need to update you on RVIA’s efforts to improve the economic environment for our industry," Coon wrote. "For a number of months now, the RVIA staff has been exploring, and continues to explore, various programs and legislative/regulatory initiatives that the association could undertake to lessen the current economic crisis for its members."

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(Feb. 10, 2009) -- “This will preserve an important industry training venue,” said Mel Adams, chairman of the RV Service Technicians Council. “The Trouble Shooter Clinics provide participants an opportunity to obtain continuing education credits for recertification.”

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(Feb. 10, 2009) -- "We applaud the U.S. Senate for passing an economic recovery package that will provide the U.S. economy -- including America's $740 billion travel industry -- with an immediate boost to help us recover from this recession," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

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(Feb. 6, 2009) -- Additional terms and conditions of the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) released by the Federal Reserve today indicate that consumer RV loans have been added to the program. Capitol Hill sources told RV Induastry Association officials that dealer floor plan loans are also now included in TALF.

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(Feb. 4, 2009) -- With economic and RV industry experts expecting the national economy and RV market to be showing signs of recovery by the final quarter, this year’s event will be especially important for the RV industry as it looks to rebound in 2010, according to RVIA Vice President Mike Hutya.

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(Feb. 4, 2009) -- In the days leading up to the game, in the skies over Tampa, Florida and the Raymond James Stadium, the renowned Goodyear airship displayed the value theme of this year’s campaign: “Go Affordably. Go RVing. Visit GoRVing.com.”

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(Feb. 4, 2009) -- RVIA’s Human Resources Director Susan Brennan has retired from RVIA after nearly eight years of service to the organization. Human Resources Coordinator Alice Wang, who worked alongside Brennan for the length of her tenure at RVIA, has been promoted as RVIA’s manager of human resources.

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(Feb. 4, 2009) -- "Certifying employees is one of the key recommendations of the Committee on Excellence Task Force Report to improve overall customer satisfaction and loyalty within the RV industry," said RVDA President Mike Molino. "The RV Learning Center offers nationally recognized professional certification programs that support career advancement and professionalism. Certification candidates taking the test during RV Professional Certification Week will receive a free, one-year subscription to RV Technician magazine."

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(Feb. 4, 2009) -- “Many of the private campgrounds and RV resorts in Sunbelt states are reporting higher revenue and occupancy levels this winter than they previously expected based on advance reservations,” said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

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