Owners news - KOA Owners Association
Transcription
Owners news - KOA Owners Association
ASS NC. ,I KA D ® E RS ROU N OWN Owners News M PG O CI ATI ON OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE KAMPGROUND OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Volume 28 Issue 4 October/November/December 2008 President’s Corner.......................................................2 2009 Owners Association Board................................. 4 Welcome to Our New Area Directors........................... 4 Special Recognition from the Annual Meeting We Are Family Award.............................................5 Franchise of the Year Award..................................6 Forty-Year Recognition Awards.............................. 8 State / Provincial News.............................................10 Decisions on Lodging Choices..................................17 Funnies......................................................................19 News Releases.........................................................20 Successful Fundraising Examples............................ 22 Annual Meeting Memories.........................................24 Thanks & Merry Christmas from the Staff................. 27 www.koaowners.org www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 • Contents • 11 Volume 28, Issue 4 President’s Message for OA Newsletter Issue 4, 2008 I am so honored to have been elected President of the Owners Association for the coming year. The OA has made some tremendous stride these past two years under the leadership of Jeff Stovold. He has helped your board to come together and focus on some of the most important issues we have faced in recent years. With the many problems in our economy, the high cost of fuel, and the increasing unemployment rate we have had faced some very challenging times. I would like to thank Jeff for the commitment to excellence he has made for the OA, and for his dedication and support as we have strived to work for our owners and the KOA system. Our goal for the coming year is to continue the work that has started under Jeff’s leadership as we continue to increase the value of your membership in the Owners Association. It is most important that we continue to work closely with KOA, Inc. in enhancing our KOA system and achieving continued growth in camper nights and in our market share of the camping industry. Many of the plans and programs implemented in the past few 2 years have come about because of the input of our board, and the communications we have had through the marketing and technology partners to try to better serve all of you. Often the work that your officers and board are doing is not talked about by us, but I do want to assure you we are always out there discussing and critiquing ideas and suggestions coming from Inc, our owners and the OA board and committee members. I want to thank all of you for your support of the OA and to tell you how much I am looking forward to serving you in the coming year. We have had a great finish to the year with our annual meeting at Myrtle Beach. That meeting has also laid the foundation for many new and exciting opportunities for next year. Four new area directors joined the board this year. The outgoing directors: Marshal Gray, Jerry Leath, Paul Friesen, and Kathy Kennedy have made great contributions of time and effort on our behalf. I know you join me in thanking them for their contribution to the Owners Association and to our KOA system. Some of the highlights of the annual meeting are featured in this newsletter, so please take a look and recapture some of the memories. And finally, on behalf of the entire OA board and staff, I would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and holiday season, and great success in 2009. Owners News Partner with the ONLY ENDORSED KOA OA INSURANCE AGENCY Outdoor Insurance Group and Benefit with Exclusive KOA OA Coverage Enhancements • Special on-line access for KOA OA customers including risk management safety videos, KOA OA Quarterly Newsletter, live interactive forms and claims reporting • Highly trained, experienced, and friendly staff ~ all of which are campers! • Direct Bill Plans available (NO Finance charges or fees). • OIG attendance at annual conventions and many regional meetings. • SUPPORT - OIG is here to committed to the KOA Owners Association 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call Today! 1-888-683-7808 Call Today! 1-888-683-7808 www.oigcorp.com OUTDOOR INSURANCE GROUP IS THE ONLY ENDORSED KOA OA INSURANCE AGENCY CA License #OC24080 www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 www.oigcorp.com 3 Volume 28, Issue 4 OA 2009 Board of Directors Front row (left to right): Carrol Murray, Tina Haith, Dan Goad, Sarah Martin, Pamela Mendala, Vicki Cole Back row (left to right): Karl Schmidt, David Witt, Jerry Dale, Steve Linde, Jeff Stovold, Mike Kuper Missing: Carol Preble, Peter Perkins Welcome to Our New Area Directors David Witt 4 Jerry Dale Karl Schmidt Carol Preble Owners News We Are Family Award Jerry and Barbara Dale ~ Winners of the We Are Family Award (pictured with Hope Perkins) I just wanted to let you know about an extra special KOA owner. As you know by now I had to receive a bone marrow transplant back on April 3, 2008. This normally would not have presented a problem but our campground was scheduled to open on April 1. We had been in email contact with several of our KOA friends keeping them updated on my treatment progress. We were not sure what we were going to do about the campground, as you may know it takes a lot of work even if things go smoothly to open a seasonal campground. We did have our son and Hope’s father to help, but our workcampers were not due for a few weeks. Then came the call we were hoping for. Jerry Dale of the Manchester Tennessee KOA called and said he would come up to Indiana and help us get open. We have known Jerry and his wife Barb since we attended KOA-U together back in 2003. They have always been special friends to us, but his call brought tears of joy to our eyes. Jerry drove the 560 miles to Middlebury two weeks prior to opening and helped us get things turned on and working. I know that Barb said she was happy to get a break from him for a week but this I know put extra stress on her and their own campground. I think this kind of support can only be found in the KOA family and that he should be considered for the “We Are Family” Award. This is the kind of dedication and support characterizing the We Are Family Award. Jerry has recently completed a term as the President of the Tennessee Owners Association, and has just been elected to the OA board as an Area Director for Region 1. Congratulations and thanks to both of you from the Owners Association. www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 Congratulations to Jerry and Barb Dale on being the recipients of the We Are Family Award given by the Owners Association at our annual meeting in Myrtle Beach. Jerry and his wife are the owners of the Manchester, TN. KOA, and have been strong supporters of the Owners Association. They have given much help to other owners in time of need. In a letter of support for their nomination we received the following email from Peter Perkins owner of the Elekart/Middlebury KOA: 5 Volume 28, Issue 4 Paul and Cam Friesen Win the 2008 Franchisee of the Year Award Shown above are the 2008 Franchisee of the Year Award winners: Paul and Cam Friesen. Paul and Cam are the owners of the Watkins Glen KOA in Watkins Glen, NY. Paul has just completed his fourth term as Area 2 Director for the Owners Association. He has also served on the Marketing and Technology committees. We congratulate both Paul and Cam on receiving this prestigious award, and want to thank Paul for all the work, time and effort he has put forth serving the OA and the KOA system. He has been a frequent contributor to articles in our newsletter and know that he will continue to share his thoughts and ideas with us. 6 Owners News www.koaowners.org 7 October/November/December 2008 Volume 28, Issue 4 40 Celebrating 40 Years The Crots Family Monroe County/Toledo North KOA, Monroe, MI Bell Family San Diego KOA, San Diego, CA Pictured here are Owners Association members who received awards from KOA for being in the KOA system for 40 years. Congratulations to them all, and let’s wish them luck for the next 40 years. Other 40-year recipients not pictured are: The Peck Family from Russell Springs KOA The Alleman Family from Lafayette, LA KOA The Denton Family Flagstaff KOA, Flagstaff, AZ 8 The Rohde Family San Antonio KOA, San Antonio TX Owners News Contact Aaron Linden toll-free at 1-800-300-4370 or via email at [email protected] P.O. Box 6006, Sheridan, WY 82801 www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 Aaron Linden with HUB International has specialized in the proper insuring of KOA Kampgrounds and their unique needs for many years. Aaron, along with his dedicated staff are ready and willing to handle your Kampground insurance with the care and attention that you deserve. Please contact Aaron today for a free, no obligation quote. We look forward to hearing from you! 9 Darol Blunt ,I ® ASS NC. D RS ROU E 10 OWN Belonging to our regional Owners Association benefits you in many ways: * You meet great people in the same business you are involved with * We share ideas of what works and what does not work * You satisfy your franchisee agreement for participation * KOA, Inc. representatives are always there to let us know what is happening * Plus much, much more He also informed us that the next Spring meeting will again be at the Stockton/Delta KOA on March 9, 10 & 11 2009. Some topics on the agenda will be: * KOA University “on-the-road” presentation * Debbie Sipes of CPTA pays us a visit * National O/A updates * Changes coming to the 2010 Directory * A cruise on the Delta * We’re working on a guided fishing trip on Monday (more later) * Lots of information; lots of food; lots of fun; lots of memories * More marketing ideas I guarantee it will be a great time. Darol Blunt Visalia KOA President Cal/Nev Owners Association M PG N Our thanks to Darol Blunt who is serving as the President of the Cal/Nev Owners Association. He has sent us the minutes of their last meeting, but also is sharing with us some thoughts on the value of participating in your state/provincial Owners Association: KA Volume 28, Issue 4 Some Reasons to belong to Your State/Provincial OA Association O CI ATI ON Owners News Minutes California/Nevada KOA Owners Association Fall 2008 Meeting – Stockton/Delta KOA The meeting was called to order at 9:06 am October 7, 2008 by president Darol Blunt Attendees: Terry shade Vice President COP, Ryan Baker Stockton KOA, Scott Haar Trinity Lake, Erik Gothberg-Regional Vice President of COP, Mike Bell & Clint Bell-San Diego KOA, Chuck Church- Reno KOA, Brian Cushman Lake Isabella, Eric Smith at Feather Falls KOA, Greg Dunagan Las Vegas KOA Corporate- Terry Shay, Lori Regele, John and Cindy Simoneau, Placerville KOA Treasure Report: About $5,000. In bank, only outstanding bill is a refund to Feather Falls KOA. • Stockton- cabin groups are up due to family reunions, dollar flat, growth in lodging, daily even, monthly down, Stockton benefited from other marinas running out of water and that bump got in best case a flat summer. Shoulder season is slim no water skiing and fishing no people. Terry- in spite of lodges and adding lodges we came out with the idea that “lodges are good!” Cabins came to be due to 1970s oil embargo. KOA feels this is a similar movement. Cabins were easily maintained lodges, will require more skilled workers. Sally, in Santa Cruz, now has 13 lodges- doing very well and has linen packages at $10 per person per stay; loft units most popular near playground, 73 nights per unit, groups love them, busy weekends she held open houses in available lodges. People are now aware for next year. Terry reports that Cape Hataras has 8 new units each 88 nights. General consensus is everyone is adding more lodges • Trinity Lake- Many challenges this year: economic issues, remote location combined with gas prices, many fires in area. Camper nights down 37%, the good news is that the structures were improved and consistency to program so that clientele are much happier. Scott has focused on making campers feel like VIP. Bathhouses renovated, docks being rebuilt. Fun year with Summer Shiners recreation program that had positive success. Got the right people working at campground and is very excited for the future. Trinity has older lodges and has been making improvement to existing lodges. They do make beds; put towels in bath like a hotel. Do a night hike with a snipe hike and they have a big foot costume. Overall A’s up 30 points on KSS. Summer Shiners are a ministry of college age recreation staff and fill positions at front desk and housekeeping staff. Trinity Lake has 240 sites (100 rv, 80 tent, 20 cottages), 46 boat slips. • Placerville- major construction projects converting 8 back-in sites to 50 Amp water and electric. Up through June then summer went down overall camper nights 10.3% down money up do to raising prices. Put in swing set and got lots of use. Put in little tykes for the little bitty kids being used a bunch. Indian casino next door that was closed is reopening in December. They hope the patrons of casino will use large sites. El Dorado fair was booming and need additional flyers from campgrounds. 30-40 cases of quick guides and 3,000 – 4,000 bags. Need additional rack cards from all campgrounds by June 2009. Attendance was about 70,000. John and Cindy have been doing this show for a very long time. Had 3 great workampers this season both outside and inside. Getting frustrated with KSS. Wish their happy campers were better represented in KSS. Darol- European market not represented-30% of his market. Darol KSS is a good tool that he can use but should not be the end rating product. www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 Opening Discussion: How do we get more people to come to these meetings? ideas: • Have a topic such as pool systems/laws • Timing of meeting- fall meeting at jamboree? • One day meeting? • Web cams- probably not viable Campground Reviews: 11 Volume 28, Issue 4 This spring storm tree fell from neighboring property took out all refrigerated items, light bulbs ect-$18,000 in damages. New Philadelphia insurance company for about $100 has a program to cover off premise items falling onto your property and causing damage. • San Diego-Mike San Diego celebrates 40 years this year, Ted is still working on the grounds, Carol has retired. Campground sale will probably fall through do to economy. Just opened RV storage lot, 120 units. Grand Canyon finally permitted and finally building ginormous septic system, and buildings. Has cost $600,000 more than estimated on this 100-site campground. Will be a great little campground but who knows if it will ever be profitable. Clint-operationally down 7.0% in campernights 1.2% up $. PCN up. Lodge will end with 175 nights at $225.00/night. Coffee cart great for socialization and tell camper stories but when costs are factored in not as profitable as hoped. Drip coffee is more profitable than high-end mochas. Segway program- units durable, mainly an experience $5.00 for 5 laps, but the full hour rental not as popular. Ages 8-18 could only ride during “activity”. New lodges will be ADA and loft units. Mike- green initiative recycling program money goes to care camps. • Visalia - Darol- down 9% campernights. News- Judy and Darol very happy with business and have bought out his sister and brother-in-law. Independence bank processed the loan to do buy out. So as of September 10th Darol and Judy no longer have partners. Good staff for this winter. Darol putting in Lodges. Spoke to housing person for military families with animals, looking forward to these guests. Club market for cabins and tent sites are up. Clubs made up of professional people. • Reno – Chuck: Reno as a city down 20-30%. Park about 27% down camper nights. Versus competition feel they are getting their share. Deluxe patio site running 90% occupancy and booking for following year. Looking into different market- Changing some back into sites into tenting sites. • Lake Isabella-2 Lodges went over extremely well, added 3 cabins. Both new lodging did very well. Gas prices are actually helping to get campers. Working with rafting companies to do cross promotion. Did 2 theme weekends luau and ho down and both weekend were up. Ho down square dancing was a hit. Darol comments that he is hearing great feedback of improvement of this campground. • Santa Cruz: Sally- Easter time flat, year to date down 9% down and money .1% up $. Patio sites are going for $20.00 more per night. Average stay 3.2 to 6 nights on patio sites. Summer shiners did a great job and recreation up 10% Tie dye was up. Now offering pillowcases, bandanas and tank tops. Coffee up; food revenue down. Good shoulder season churches, schools. Come Camp with us was up. Raised $10,000 for care camps. • Feather Falls -- Feather Falls- income up; 17% camper nights up 27% ( numbers due to 2 for 1 promotions) fires were great for camper nights, they were booked solid for 2 weeks. He is concerned that his class A business will be effected by economy. Lots of marketing being done. September business record low due to economy/stock market. This November class A groups will yield a 50-60% increase over last year. • Las Vegas- Rough summer, spring and fall. Camper nights down 18% and income down 14%. Vegas as a whole down but not as much campground. International has been a shining star. Trying to find creative ways to draw people to Vegas. Discretionary income down and therefore the casino is down. High-end market fine in Vegas low end market is struggling greatly. • San Francisco- camper nights down8%. Money down 3% Down due to monthlies 6 new lodges installed, very successful. Our financial happiness was due to controlling costs and lodges. Marketing partners—Clint Bell • Most recent OA Board 4 concerns 1. Marketing, 2. KSS 3. VKR and 4. work kampers. 1. Was $40,000 program too little too late. 2 of 4 people that won the $10,000 hung up on Jim Rogers. 2 of 4 winners had no idea they were enrolled in program. Received a massive amount of mail in cards to meet sweepstakes program rules. 2. KSS numbers down on returned KSS. Concerns how increase number and timeliness of return. 3. VKR program behind value card sales, coupon redemption to complicated? Sales down on campgrounds 6%. Only 18% of VKR are using online portal. Redemption of coupons are low. 4. Workkampers - multiple star work kampers are feeling too good to clean a bathroom. Would it be helpful to 12 Owners News have an intraweb venue to review work kampers? Over 300 campgrounds enrolled in owners association. Care Kamps and disaster relief are both 501c non profits. Philadelphia is now the owners association insurance company. Marketing 2 parts- directory sub committee information to Clint. Do to timing there will not be huge changes to 09 directory. Great people Great Camping slogan will go more internal. Emphasis of “K” for KOA will be emphasized. 1.2 million copies for 2008. For 2009 quick guide will look like a map. KOA.com will be updated and more functional. 40% of people leaving campgrounds do not have a directory. Now working on the 2010 directory. The look of the 2010 directory will have an emphasis of fun! 9. Branding area- information for branding to Terry Shay 5. 6. 7. 8. Lori Regele- KOA Inc. • • • Workamper Training - KOA has a CD to help in training workampers to clean that includes how to clean and what to clean. Making it great program training. Job fair is open to all star workamper and regular workampers. Owners can have a booth at job fair, think of future years as well as this year. No cost to campground 56 booths available, 50 currently booked. Report of things currently happening at KOA, Inc. Day 2 Called to order 9:08 October 8, 2008 Cal Arvc (formerly CTPA) • • Convention in Reno March 2nd, 3rd and 4th. One important past accomplishments- DOH code for camping cabins. Darol will look into having Debbie Sipes come speak to the group on new items being worked on. October/November/December 2008 Travel shows- Going to Indio and El Dorado. Quartzite will be in the end of January and beginning of February. If you are looking to hire workampers this is a great location for interviews. www.koaowners.org 13 Volume 28, Issue 4 New ideas and programs: • • • • • Stockton KOA is running a free month for a new monthly program to try increase number of monthly campers. RV Rental program- Clint KOA directories are being drop shipped into El Monte, Cruise America, Moturis. Looking to add Road Bear to the program. Mike- would like to see directories being put into new rigs at plant. Chris- many dealers are giving away directory in new rigs. Darol- has anyone tried gas coupons? Branson Missouri- did stay for 1 week $50.00 gas card, 2 weeks $100.00. Very successful. Feather River Falls casino giving gas card promotion that is working very well. Hot Deals: • • • San Diego- Bring a friend promotion in late August worked well. Feather River Falls did telemarketing calls to previous campers –yielded about 50 new reservations. He is also doing direct mail, a newsletter. Clint- brought up doing a value card triple point weekend for Cal Nevada Members on a certain low weekend. Lori Regele will look into how this program could be done. Clint to look into double points at any CAL KOA in the month of January. Program to be promoted by a KOA email blast. Pauline moved to spend up to $1,000 on an email blast to promote January program. Seconded by Clint. Approved by all attendees. Niche Markets: • • Mike Bell- spoke of niche market of toy trailers. They pay a nominal fee to be listed in publications. Other Niche market- POKER RUN IDEA motorcycle group campground to campground ride. AMA would have information on how to set up a ride from campground to campground. All campgrounds are interested in being included. Many suggestions for several suggested routes and the highlights of what to see on that route. Clint and Pauline to work towards getting program together and have suggested game plan for next meeting. Clint says don’t limit to motorcycles, rvs, cars anyone can do the poker run. Rate discussion • • Santa Cruz- will do moderate increase with concern on shoulder season. San Diego about a 6% bump. Bump will include changes in prices that will include more guests-rather than nickel and dime charges to people. Charge $5.00 for extra cars. Trinity also does a $5.00 extra car charge. Charge to Site: • Petaluma using charge to site wristbands. Offered at time of check in and preapproved on credit card. Name written in sharpie on wristband. We have not run in to problems of charge backs. However, program not used on a massive scale. Workkampers • • • • • • KOA COP charges $150.00/site and then minimum wage for hours, there are exceptions that get more, they also get $2.00 per value card. Sally does a revue after 6 months. $150.00 is taken out of the check automatically. Sally says she does a more in depth revue with the work kampers as a group. San Diego charges workkampers half rent and no electricity. Lake Isabelle- site included, then it is salary for x amount of hours. This is how they also do their forestry campgrounds. If they go over the 30 hours it would be minimum wage. Darol- work campers that have just clocked out are not covered by workers comp. Lori Regele- layout the expectations of your campgrounds specific expectations. In the All Star Work Kamper program will be promoting the idea of all campgrounds are unique. San Diego and Petaluma- asked KOA to look into a program to assist in HR legal assistance program like the program that CTPA offered in the past. This would be a very helpful program in assistance with contracts, disability laws, housing, etc. Linens for Lodges- STARLINENS.com supply many hotels. Clint mentioned HDSUPPLY.com. Robin in Sugarloaf has been doing linens for a long time and recommends that we not do bright white but rather off white 14 Owners News Open Discussion• • • Hiring- do people meet face to face before hiring? Petaluma- absolutely-no exception. Sally- In most cases, would prefer face to face. Lori- even if it is for future years, set up a booth at convention. POS Systems- Feather River Fall would like a more robust POS system. Eric answered the question that KOA has no plan of expanding the POS system. HR program doing great. San Diego also using direct deposit that is very beneficial to employees, $10.00 charge. Nominations: • • Chris wood nominated Clint Bell-San Diego for Vice President, seconded by Pauline Wood all in favor. Meeting Minutes of spring meeting motion approved by Clint Bell and seconded by Eric Gothberg Meeting Adjourned at 11:40am Illinois KOA Owners October 8, 2008 Meeting LaSalle/Peru KOA Welcome and introductions Attendees: John Downing welcomed John & Shelly Cuvar, Granite City KOA; Glenn Klinkman, Casey KOA; Joe Long, Lena KOA; Linda Roller, Springfield KOA; Carole Downing, Rock Island KOA; John and Deb Gosh, Benton KOA; and our hosts, Linda and Dave Waszak. Minutes of prior meeting read • Treasurers Report • Read and presented by John • Old Business • Marketing efforts by association • Joe spoke of our association rack card and distribution through out the state and visitor centers and through the RV and camping shows. If only it was this simple. 1FEFTUBMT4VSGBDF#PYFT"DDFTTPSJFT 1PXFS%JTUSJCVUJPO&RVJQNFOU (FOFSBUPST ■ $PQQFS"MVNJOVN8JSFBOE$BCMF ■ -JHIU'JYUVSFT1PMFTBOE %BSL4LJFT-JHIUJOH ■ &MFDUSJD8BUFSBOE(BT.FUFST ■ ■ '3&&'"45&MFDUSJDBM-BZPVU4FSWJDF 5PMMGSFF GBY XXXCCFMFDDPN 4QFDJBMJTUTJOTFSWJOH375SBWFM1BSLTOBUJPOXJEFGPSZFBST www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 (PUUBIBWFJU 15 Volume 28, Issue 4 • • • 16 Deb ask about putting them in neighboring states but the discussion revealed that most states will charge a fee and we do not have the funds to pay those fees. • Discussion was made concerning ICA directory and how that directory has benefited the participating parks. John explained that ekamp has stats garnered from the KSS that show camper use of various sources to find our parks and that for his park the ICA directory has grown in each of the years he has participated in the coop ad. He invited others to look at their stats on ekamp to identify how campers are finding the parks. • Discussion held on the value of being a member of the local visitor bureau and benefits that current parks have seen from membership. • Discussion held on bill board advertising with the general consensus being the cost to high for the benefit. • Discussion about KSS and the fact that our customers are returning the surveys in ever lower numbers. There was also discussion of the value of the surveys to our business operations. • Discussion held on VKR program. Discussed if program is user friendly enough for older customers. Is the program understood by our customers? The over all marketing of the program. Renewable Energy Credits • John spoke of the installation and operation of the new solar hot water system on one of the satellite bathhouses. New Business • Cable TV systems were discussed. Glenn suggested that the internet may replace cable TV as the source of information and entertainment in our parks. • The discussion continued on the discussion the need for bandwidth to supply sufficient internet service. • Discussion of Campground Activities • Discussion held concerning entertaining our guests and the need for in every park as well as the differences in KOA a traditional over night park system vs. say a Yogi with built-in support systems to build good entertainment programs for our parks. • Talked of the decline of video game revenues. Some parks are successfully changing game rooms into community rooms with big screen TVs or pool tables. • Joe spoke of his success with the new jumping pillow, how he is charging for the use and his expected return on investment. He spoke of insurance issues, having guests sign waivers. Owners News • • • • • • • • Tour of LaSalle KOA • Dave and Linda gave us a tour of their park, store and facilities. For the men, Dave’s garage was a big hit with such amenities as a hoist to lift equipment and all the tools needed to repair almost any mechanical device. Next Meeting • Agreed to meeting March 11th 2009 at the Casey KOA, thanks Glenn. Before adjournment everyone gave Linda and Dave a big thank you for hosting a great meeting attended by 7 of the 9 Illinois parks. One perspective that has occurred to me recently and re-enforced at the Expo was the multitude of choices in lodging. Ruth and I have owned the Estes Park KOA for 4 seasons now. Here we have 20 one and two room Prairie Kraft Kamper Kabins and 7 of Prairie Kraft’s Deluxe Kamper Kottages. That was our introduction to lodging. Since then we have visited a good number of other KOAs through our state association meetings, our 20 Group and just dropping in during some of travels. October/November/December 2008 • Other successful activities include movies. Dave and Linda spoke of their success have movies every Friday and Saturday night with only a limited investment in equipment. • Discussed hayrack rides, ice cream socials and other hands on activities for guests Discussion moves next to 2008 revenues and camper nights with everyone in attendance feeling this was a good year but not great. Discussion next moved to lodgings and cottages and the new KOA deal with Cavco to provide lodges at discounted prices. Dave spoke of their success with their two new lodges and the issues of cleaning, taking more time than a cabin. RV Show • Discussion of next years RV shows and who would be working the shows in Illinois Kampsight Improvements • A long discussion was held concerning improvements that owners would like to see in kampsight to include: • Ask the guest for cell phone number as home numbers are of little value when a guest is on the run. This was very apparent this summer when some parks needed to inform guests of natural disasters that closed parks for periods of time. • Pets, when a guest makes an internet reservation only sites available for reservation are those that do not restrict pets. When a reservation is by phone the reservation clerk must remember to ask about pets and remember what the restrictions are before completing the reservation. Why can’t the system do the work? • Value Kard lookup, why can’t we go from the lookup directly to make a reservation? • Blacklist. We use notes as a way to keep track of the very few customers that are a problem. On Kamsight it is easy for the front desk to not see the notes indicator. Why can’t there be a popup covering most of the screen to warn the front desk of a potential issue/ blacklist customer? • Everyone with cabins lodges and cottages would like to see built in security protection similar to hotels where there is a hold placed on the guest’s card at check in to protect the park should the guest need to be charged for additional fees after departure. • Many parks now have extended stay guests and have found this market to be profitable. Currently Kampsight does not keep track of or calculate electric meter fees causing parks to do this manually. Owners would like to see an electric meter utility added to Kampsight. Care Camps • Discussion held on the current and past year donations. • Discussed potential fund raising activities to include 50/50 raffle, carnivals, ice cream socials www.koaowners.org 17 Decisions on Lodging Choices By Jim Turner DECISIONS... DECISIONS... As with many of you, Ruth and I were there at the Myrtle Beach Jamboree earlier this month. Wow, what a turn out and what a lot of new happenings at KOA. It was a great Jamboree and terrific getting to see so many of our friends again. Thank you, Julie Optiz. Volume 28, Issue 4 Plus.. Ruth and I had the privilege of traveling through Australia in December of 2006. We stayed at 20 some odd campgrounds (mostly Big4) during our travels down under; staying in their Ensuit cabins (cabins with a bathroom/shower and kitchen). What struck us was that no 2 Ensuit cabins where the same. Our Kamper Kabins here in Estes Park are different in some degree from all the other Kamper Kabins we have seen. The various park models and lodges we see on other campgrounds and through the Cavcos (et. al.) and such at the Expos are all different. Last year’s model is different from this year’s model. I would put forward, that at some level, at some point, they need to fall into some logical categories. If an owner goes out and buys 2 this year, 2 next year and so on, they are likely going to end up with a hodge-podge of indefinable, difficult to maintain, array of lodging on their campground. This is going to make the process of categorizing their choices in KampSight a nightmare, explaining their lodging options to campers very difficult and potentially leave their future guests unsatisfied or confused. Jim Rogers offers that campground owners should be aiming to delivering lots of different lodging options to satisfy each separate camper. Jim argues that with all of KOA’s KSS history owners have access to vast amounts of data that yields lots of “Buckets of Data”. Data buckets that show ranges of group age, size & make up (adults, kids, dogs), amenity preferences, etc. in the various data buckets. Jim says that Big4 has demonstrated that lots of options to satisfy all those data buckets is a good thing (see link below). I guess Jim is talking about micro marketing.. the ability to ultimately deliver a personalized experience for the individual camper. That is well and good, but I would argue that in the end, the campground must make smart, strategic lodging choices, to end up with a logical array of lodging options, making sense for them now and offering a positive legacy for the campground that can be passed on to the next owner. So.. I say, chose wisely. Jim Turner (Estes Park KOA) Big4 Lodging choices ... http://www.big4.com.au/the-big4-experience/accommodation.aspx#Accomm NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUT ORS ELECTRIC� SUPPLIES ELECTRIC WATER�GAS TER GAS�SUPPLIES A N D S U P P L I E R S TO R V PA R K S & C A M P G R O U N D S 8 /200 2007 nal Natio C ARV of lier Supp ear the Y Ask about the new products we are adding to our catalog. �Emergency Generators �Power Transfer Switches �Timer Boxes �Keyed Alike Padlocks ParkRanger RV Pedestal Built to your Specifications. Options: -50/30/20 Amp Receptacles -Electronic Meter -Light & Photocell -TV/Tele Jacks -Hose Bib -Single Sided or Back to Back 18 www.go-usg.com 800-800-2811 � 800-800-7082 (8AM - 5PM ET)(8AM - 5PM PT) FAX QUOTE REQUESTS AND PURCHASE ORDERS TO 425-222-7845 OR EMAIL TO [email protected] CANADIAN CUSTOMERS CALL 425-222-7950 Owners News Funnies The Parrot A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird’s mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird’s attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to “clean up” the bird’s vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and stuck him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he’d hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John’s outstretched arm and said, “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’m sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions, and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior.” John was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, “May I ask what the turkey did?” Will Rogers Words of Wisdom • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Don't squat with your spurs on. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back in. Never miss a good chance to shut up. If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there. If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him... The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day. There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. Never slap a man who's chewin' tobacco. When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson. When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket. www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 Here are some pearls of wit and wisdom from the great Will Rogers! 19 Volume 28, Issue 4 Caboose In Use Previously out-of-work train car gets a new life in recreation campground If only we could all retire in such grand fashion! A condemned, gutted, 1929 Sante Fe railroad caboose found a new life on October 16, when it was installed on the Oregon Dunes KOA Kampground in North Bend, Oregon. There, after refurbishing, it will soon become a new café, complete with interior kitchen and outdoor deck, for the convenience and pleasure of the campground’s guests. “This is exactly what we were looking for. We didn’t want a caboose that was totally complete. This one had been gutted out, so we didn’t feel we were tearing something historical apart,” says campground owner Fritz Gross. “This one was used on freight trains traveling between Chicago and California. The crews and conductors would live in it while they were traveling.” The antique caboose was shipped by rail to Hauser, Oregon from Fairfield, California. Once there, a large crane and a lot of man power was needed to move the caboose and it’s wheels onto two flatbed trucks, in order to truck it into place on the campground. This is the second caboose that Gross - who has a passion for “all things railroad-related” -has purchased for the campground. He also tinkers with old tractors and military vehicles. Campers staying at the Oregon Dunes KOA Kampground will be able to enjoy refreshments in and around the antique caboose soon. The Kampgrounds of America Kampground is a private campground on the southern Oregon coast with ATV/ORV access to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. For more information, please contact the campground at: Oregon Dunes KOA 68632 Hwy 101 - Mile Marker 229 North Bend, OR 97459 Information: (541) 756-4851 Fax: (541)756-8838 20 Owners News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Darlene Murphy 608.268.6275/608.234.7424 [email protected] COMMERCIAL RECREATION SPECIALISTS SELECTED AS EXCLUSIVE VORTEX AQUATICS SUPPLIER IN NEW JERSEY Verona, Wis., (November 18, 2008) – Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) was recently selected as the exclusive supplier of Vortex Aquatics Splashpad and aquatic play products in New Jersey, according to Ron Romens, president of Commercial Recreation Specialists. CRS has served New Jersey recreation clients for many years and has been a Vortex supplier in Wisconsin and Minnesota since 2001. Recent Splashpad projects include Lakeview Park in Middleton, Wis., Bird Creek in Wautoma, Wis., and Eastman Park in Saint Cloud, Minn. “Vortex has been a fantastic partner and CRS is proud to have been selected to expand our territory to the east coast,” said Romens. According to CRS partner and New Jersey vice-president Rich Wills, CRS plans to target municipalities and other recreational facilities in their new territory. As a Vortex supplier, CRS provides not only products, but also offers additional client services including training and coordination with other project partners such as design and engineering firms and installers. Established in Montreal, Canada in 1995, Vortex is the market leader in Splashpad and aquatic play technology and design. With a world-wide distribution network and over 3,500 Splashpad installations, Vortex has established a dominating presence in the aquatic play industry. Splashpad and Poolplay products and components can be purchased directly from distributors in North America, Europe and the Far East. Commercial Recreation Specialists is headquartered in Verona, Wis., with representatives in New Jersey, and serves customers across the United States and the Caribbean. Founded in 1999, CRS performs a careful analysis of each client’s facility and business goals to provide recreation solutions based on the unique needs of each client. With over 40 years of combined industry experience, CRS is not only an equipment supplier for select vendors, but also offers design, planning, installation and operations services. CRS delivers unparalleled industry knowledge and proven success in the commercial recreation market with clients including municipalities, summer camps, campgrounds, resorts, water parks, amusement parks, daycare centers, schools and zoos. Enthusiasm+Commitment+Dedication = KOA Care Camps So to “The Top of Texas BTW” chapter and their fellow BTW’s Thank You for caring and helping send a kid to camp. And Amarillo KOA, thanks for keeping the word alive for all of these kids and for all that You do. October/November/December 2008 We received two letters this week that highlight all of these things and I would like to tell you about them. www.koaowners.org 21 Our first letter came from the Amarillo KOA. For the last 12 years they have had a group called Brothers of the Third Wheel come stay with them. After hearing about the KOA Care Camps program they have made raising money for Care Camps their mission. The chapter is called “The Top of Texas BTW,” and their commitment to KOA Care Camps is fantastic. They participated by donating items for the auction and then did some incredible bidding themselves. It is inspirational to hear about groups that are willing to go the extra distance to help someone else. And their help for our kids is very much appreciated. It costs an average of $500.00 per day for a child to go to camp and while the staff at these camps volunteers their time, medicine and food still need to be paid for. This year they made their donations in memory of one of their own who supported KOA Care Camps in a big way. While the loss of someone is painful, doing something in their memory becomes a win/ win situation. There is no higher compliment then to offer something in their memory. Mr. Archie Dunlap’s name is forever associated with giving from the heart, the kids can attend a Cancer camp, and the group keeps a memory alive Volume 28, Issue 4 Fundraising Ideas Included below are two letters we received from KOA Owners on successful fundraising efforts they made for our Care Camps program. These tips may be helpful to some of you as you make plans for next year’s Care Camps activities. Many of our owners have implemented very successful events to raise money for Care Camps. Please share some of your success stories with us and we will include them in future issues of our OA newsletter. October 4,2008 KOA Care Camps PO Box 361064 Birmingham, Alabama 35236 RE: 2008 Care Camp Donations Hi There: Enclosed you will find a cheque in the amount of $2,000. Today we are celebrating because we have just reached this year’s goal to raise $8,000 for Care Camps. Matched with KOA corporate donations on our Come Camp with Me money this brings the total raised to $10,750. I just wanted to let you know that this is due in large part to our wonderful campers and their efforts to ensure children with cancer can experience the same fun and excitement that they do while they are staying with us. In particular we have two 50/50 ladies, Tanya and Janet, who have relentlessly canvassed the campers on a weekly basis selling tickets and talking about care camps and the wonderful opportunities it provides. Our staff and volunteers have raised money through raffles on donated items (especially chocolate baskets from Irene), bingos, ice cream socials, change collection and direct donations to the cause. We are currently raffling a large BBQ that will be drawn on the Thanksgiving weekend. We are truly fortunate to have so many wonderful people involved in this initiative. It would be appreciated if you could send them a letter of thanks, on behalf of Care Camps, which we could circulate to them to show them how much their efforts are appreciated. As our season winds down (two weekends left) we look forward to next season and the friendships and fun this cause has provided us. Thank you Karen & Daniel 22 Owners News Fundraising Ideas October 14,2008 KOA Care Camps -34 16 Primm Lane Birmingham, AL 3 52 1 6 Re: ColumbuslCanadian Thanksgiving Dear Bill: We celebrated our final holiday for the 2008 Season. On Saturday we had our final Jackpot Bingo and Sunday our Turkey Feast. Raffle tickets and 50/50 tickets were sold. At the end of the evening we collected a total of $695.00 for the Kids Care Camp. It is our tradition to match the camper donations so enclosed is our check for $1,390.00. See you at the KOA Jamboree at Myrtle Beach. Sincerely, Lake Placid/Whiteface Mtn KOA October/November/December 2008 Richard Nagamine www.koaowners.org 23 Volume 28, Issue 4 24 KOA Annual Meeting Owners News October/November/December 2008 KOA Care Camps Auction www.koaowners.org 25 Volume 28, Issue 4 Pet Waste Problems? The complete pet waste solution... from check-in to check-out! Park Stations Keep your pet area clean and enjoyable. • Signs • Dispensers • Waste Cans • Posts • Carded Refills Great camping demands the best! Keep camping with pets great! Available in Yellow We are pleased to announce that yellow Mutt Mitt dispensers are now available in limited quantities. 1-800-697-6084 www.MuttMitt.com • [email protected] 26 Owners News Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Bill Ranieri Jim Ranieri Robert Ranieri Heidi Gentry Stuart Little www.koaowners.org October/November/December 2008 OA Staff 27 COPYRIGHT 2007 Volume 28, Issue 4 2008 Associate Members List These companies pay $200 a year to support our association. Please remember to purchase their products and patronize their businesses. AGS Publishing Michelle Rhodes PO Box 790 Port Angeles, WA 98362 http://www.agspub.com Preferred provider of all KOA Guest Services Guides and promotional printing products, brochures and rack cards Athens Park Homes Dick Gaymonprez PO BOX 1270 Athens, TX 75751 B & B Electrical Margaret Linnell 2737 Browning Drive Lake Orion, MI 48360 http://www.bbelec.com Campbell Insurance Agency Craig and Kirk Campbell PO Box 1695 Harrison, AR 72602 http://www.insuretheoutdoors.com Insurance Cell Americas David Gould 2415 Stirling Rd. – Suite B Hollywood, FL 33312 www.cellamericas.com WiFi systems Chadwick Mfg. Co Allen Smith 224 N. Main St./ PO Box 85 Chadwick, IL 61014 http://www.chadwickmfg.com Picnic Tables & Grills 28 Chariot Eagle, Inc Robert Holliday 931 NW 37th Ave Ocala, FL 34475 Commercial Recreation Specialists Ron Romens/ Rich Wills 415 Investment Court Verona, WI 53593 www.crs4rec.com Provider of water-based and land-based recreation and safety solutions. Lighting detection, dock systems, pool slides, pedal boats, waterfront inflatables, playgrounds, splashpads, mini golf, and more. Crane Composites Julie McCabe 23525 W. Eames St Channahon, IL 60410 http://www.cranecomposites.com bollards. We also custom build power substations and we sell transformers, wire, and panels. Complementary electrical layout design is also available. Family Games Inc. Grant Cunningham PO Box 97 Montreal, Quebec H3X3T3 Canada Gattuso Distributing, Inc Denise & Pat Gattuso 1576 Wald Rd New Braunfels, TX 78132 http://www.gattusodistributing.com Summer/Water Items Gerber Manufacturing Chuck Gerber 2917 Latham Drive Madison, WI 53713-3232 http://www.gerbertables.com Fiberglass reinforced plastic wall and ceiling panels Picnic Tables, Benches, Grills Darrell Hess & Associates Mr. Darrel Hess 367 Dellwood Rd. Bldg E Suite 2 Waynesville, NC 28786 http://www.CampgroundsForSale.com Go Picnic Claudia Solomon 4011 N Ravenswood Chicago, IL 60613 www.gopicnic.com Real Estate - RV parks & campgrounds Prepackaged meals not requiring refrigeration. Snacks and meals for all ages. Eaton Corporation-RV Park Hook Ups Kathleen Kullberg; Greg Storck 149 Warwick Court Williamsburg VA 23185 www.marinapower.com HUB International Mountain States LTD Aaron Linden PO Box 6006 Sheridan, WY 82801 Electrical power hookups, digital electronic meters, and light Offering a myriad of insurance products on a national scale Owners News Independence Bank Miles Hamilton, Mym Cichosz PO Box 2090 Havre MT 59501 http://www.ibyourbank.com Loan Development Program Jax LTD., Inc. Cindy Levine 141 Chesire Land Minneapolis, MN 55441 www.jaxgames.com The fun and games people. Exceptional family games including the long-time favorite, SEQUENCE game. Designed for providing entertainment for family and friends. Kwik-Covers Joe Puglisi 5110 Velasko Rd, Suite 1100 Syracuse, NY 13215 Picnic table covers of all types LA Steelcraft Products Inc. Allan Shackleton PO Box 90365 Pasadena, CA 91109-0365 www.lasteelcraft.com Leanin’ Tree Bruce Olson PO Box 9500 Boulder, CO 80301 www.tradeleanintree.com Greeting Cards, Gift items Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance Stacy Torneten 1001 Lazelle Street Sturgis, SD 57785 http://www.lrhinsurance.com Property and casualty insurance for RV parks & campgrounds Mutt Mitts Inc. Thomas J Seiter 10000 Lower River Rd Burlington, KY 41005 www.MuttMitt.com Mutt Mitts-pet waste pickup tool, Park Dispensers, Waste Receptacles, Custom Signs, Complete Pet Waste Stations MWSS MFG., Inc Jerry Hensley PO Box 91297 Lakeland, FL 33804 Sewer hose resttroctprs. P{W 269 Sanitary hatch covers October/November/December 2008 JWH Distributing/Eco-Save Products Jean/Jim Harrison 1000 McDonald Avenue PO Box 195 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 http://www.eco-save.com Eco-Save bacteria based RV/Marine holding tank products for resale to campers and for campground maintenance of septic/sewer systems, treatment of grease in lines and grease traps, vault and portable toilets, and cleaning. Access control gates and equipment www.koaowners.org 29 Volume 28, Issue 4 Mystical Distributing Company Ltd. Mark Phillips PO Box 253 6 Foster Stearns Rd Trenton ON K8V 5R5 Canada Pacific Yurts Inc. Pete Dolan 77456 Hwy 99 South Cottage Grove, OR 97427 Retail Sales Solutions Larry Hooker 202 Moravian Valley Rd, Suite A Waunakee, WI 53597 Rocky Properties 513 Hilltop Rd Ste 3 Billings, MT 59105-2375 http://www.rockyproperties.com Campground/RV Park Broker Paymentech Cord Wilson 1601 Elm Street #900 Dallas, TX 75201 http://www.paymentech.com Electronic payment solutions Security Mortgage Group LLC Anthony & Gerard DiMarco 810 Crossroads Building 2 State St Rochester, NY 14614 www.securitymortgagegroup.net Phelps Honey Wagon Jaylene Shannon 158 Whiskey Spring Rd Dillsburg, PA 17019 www.phelpshoneywagon.com Southeast Publications USA, Inc. Peter Warrick 4360 Peters Road Fort Lauderdale FL 33317 http://www.sepub.com site maps, publishing, printing Make full service sites available without the expense of an in-ground sewage system. Pump your own portapotties or holding tanks SugarIsland Play Systems LLC. Steve Seyhrich sales manager 110 Railroad St PO Box 2 Sun Praire, WI 53590 www.sugarislandplay.com Tengo Internet, Inc. Eric Stumberg 106 E 6th Street, Ste 900 Austin, TX 78701 www.tengointernet.com A preferred Wi-FI provider for KOA Texas Meter & Device Co. Mr. Steve Swenke PO Box 154099 Waco, TX 76715 http://www.texasmeter.com Remanufactured and new electric meters and metering equipment TurboChef Technologies, Inc. 6 Concourse Pkwy N.E. Stte 1900 Atlanta, GA 30328 R.J. Thomas Mfg. Co. Inc. Customer Service Dept. PO Box 946 5648 Hwy 59 South Cherokee, IA 51012-0946 www.pilotrock.com Picnic Tables, Benches, Charcoal Grills, Campfire Rings, Trash and Recycling Receptacles and Lids, Lantern Poles, Flag Poles, Bike Racks, Pet Waste Stations, Picnic Table Covers, Fire Starters, More. Since 1959. Rain Drops Products, LLC Jay Byrd 1430 B George Road Ashland, OH 44805 www.rain-drop.com The premier manufacturer of SprayGrounds and water features We also have interactive fountains, splash pads, water playgrounds, water play and wet decks. 30 Owners News www.koaowners.org 31 October/November/December 2008 Volume 28, Issue 4 KOA Owners Association 3416 Primm Lane Birmingham, AL 35216 KOA Owners Association Owners News 3416 Primm Lane Birmingham, AL 35216 To submit articles or request advertising information, write to the above address or use the following contact information: c/o Jim Ranieri Telephone: 800-678-9976 or 205-824-0022 Fax: 205-823-2760 Email: [email protected] Email other than newsletter information: [email protected] Publication: Owners News is published six times per year by the KOA Owners Association. Printing services are donated by Southeast Publications USA, Inc. Telephone: 800-832-3292 32 Owners News