(Dec. 2, 2008) -- Fleetwood Enterprises' RV Group today announced that the Fleetwood MotorHome Association (FMA) will hold its first-ever "Wind Your Way to Wyoming" national rally in Gillette, Wy. June 27 to 30.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- RVIA President Richard Coon told Outlook 2009 attendees that the RV industry's history of posting strong recoveries from previous market downturns offers encouragement in the face of the current tough economic circumstances. “For many of us here this morning, today’s situation is nothing new. We’ve seen and survived tough times before,” said Coon, a 30-year veteran of the RV industry. “We are a resilient industry that has a history of coming back stronger than ever."

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- An enthusiastic audience and energetic, information-packed presentations helped make the Dec. 2 “Outlook 2009: We’ve Got Heart!” a showcase for the RV industry’s resilience and “heart” in the face of difficult economic times.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- According to Gary and Valerie Bermans, America’s estimated Hispanic population exceeds 44 million people — 15 percent of the nation’s population. Hispanics had purchasing power of $863.1 billion in 2007, a number projected to grow to $1 trillion by 2010. The Bermans urged RV manufacturers and dealers to reach out to Hispanics in an effort to tap into this large and growing market.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- Our research helped us make an extremely important point," Gary LaBella, RVIA's vice president of marketing and public relations told industry professionals this morning. "That RV sales are down because of external forces beyond the industry's control, not because RVs are becoming unpopular." RVIA cost comparison and owner research was a major factor behind the positive coverage in a difficult year. “Our research helped us make an extremely important point,” said LaBella, “that RV sales are down because of external forces beyond the industry’s control, not because RVs are becoming unpopular.”

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- “RV travel will be up significantly, with 33 percent of our members planning to travel more and another 48 percent planning to travel the same amount as last year,” said Sue Bray, executive director of the Good Sam Club. “With gas prices continuing to go down, RVers appreciate the convenience and cost effectiveness of traveling in their RVs without having to deal with extra airline costs, lost luggage, or flight delays. Something fun we learned from this study is that RVers find it tougher to stick to their diets than to their travel budgets.”

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- "Senator Clinton, Secretary Gates and Dr. Susan Rice all recognize the need for more robust U.S. public diplomacy efforts, and people-to-people diplomacy is one of our country's most effective tools for winning hearts and minds throughout the world. Whether it is for business, leisure or education, the travel experience is unique in its ability to shape public opinion. Studies show that those who have visited the United States are 74 percent more likely to have a favorable image of the country and its policies in the world."

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(Nov. 28, 2008) -- Last year, more than 1,000 show attendees attended the Network Fest, where they were introduced to over two dozen RV-C compliant devices (including awnings, generators, electronic controls, levelers and heaters, to name a few) from 14 vendors -- all networked together on a common wiring harness. Attendees were able to observe the results of data signals being broadcast from a central panel to the various devices, controlling their functions and interoperability.

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(Nov. 28, 2008) -- In response to the changing marketplace, Go RVing has updated its print and Internet ads to attract budget-conscious consumers with a strong message about the affordability of RV travel. As more RV businesses are tying in to the national Go RVing message with customized spin-off ads, registered Go RVing tie-in program participants will be able to download new “Go Affordably. Go RVing.” themed materials in 2009.

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(Nov. 26, 2008) -- "We request your assistance in urging both banks and non-bank financial concerns receiving federal assistance under Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to make consumer loans available for all traditional uses. Economic recovery depends heavily on a rebound in consumer confidence, and consumers who are credit-worthy and encounter barriers to financing purchases will make this rebound more difficult. We note the special importance of this provision to employment in the United States associated with the recreational boating and RV industries, where an overwhelming majority of the new units are U.S.-manufactured.

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(Nov. 26, 2008) -- Several Texas campgrounds that cater to winter visitors are already booked up for the 2008-2009 winter camping season, and many others are filling up quickly, according to Texas Association of Campground Owners. “Winter reservations for campgrounds and RV resorts in Texas are as strong as they’ve ever been,” said Brian Schaeffer, executive director. He said Canadians, in particular, are flocking to the Lone Star State in record numbers, largely because of the relative strength of the Canadian dollar and because of the relatively low cost of spending the winter in Texas parks as opposed to parks in other pricier Sunbelt destinations, such as Florida and California.

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(Nov. 26, 2008) -- Shipments from RV manufacturers to dealers fell 52.5 percent in October, according to figures released by the RV Industry Association today. A total of 13,500 new units were shipped to dealers last month, down from 28,400 units shipped in October 2007. For the year, 225,400 units were shipped to dealers, compared to 309,500 for the first 10 months of 2007.

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(Nov. 26, 2008) -- RV Care Network will be hosting its annual gathering of dealers and partner suppliers Dec. 1 in Louisville, Ky., in conjunction with the National RV Trade Show. In 2008 the RV Care network grew by over 30 percent, from 29 to 38 dealers spanning from Vancouver Island on the west coast to Montreal, Quebec in the east. "Unlike many American dealers, the majority of Canadian RV dealers are reporting 2008 having been on par, and in some regions ahead of past years for sales and profitability," said Earl Manning, vice president and general manager.

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(Nov. 21, 2008) -- Twenty one campgrounds and RV resorts have earned all around “A” grades in the nation’s first consumer satisfaction survey of independent parks. Nearly 13,000 camping and RV enthusiasts participated in the 2008 online satisfaction survey, which evaluated guest experiences at independent campgrounds and RV resorts affiliated with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

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(Nov. 21, 2008) -- The Travel Industry Association (TIA) heralded the official expansion of the U.S. government's new visa waiver program, which is estimated to bring approximately 1 million new visitors to the United States annually. Overseas visitors to the United States spend more and stay longer than other travelers, spending an average of $4,000 per person, per trip. The United States welcomed two million fewer overseas visitors in 2007 than it did in 2000 - despite an extraordinarily weak U.S. dollar and an additional 35 million long-haul travelers worldwide.

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(Nov. 20, 2008) -- The web seminar will be hosted by the RV Learning Center’s Tony Yerman, an RVDA-RVIA master certified RV technician, a certified service manager, and a certified parts specialist. Yerman will discuss the two online technician training options offered by the RV Learning Center, how the programs prepare technicians for the RVDA-RVIA technician certification, the role of mentors in distance learning, and the benefits of establishing a standard of knowledge for technicians. He will also explain the benefits of technician certification, including how certification can enhance a dealership competitive advantage and reduce risk.

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(Nov. 20, 2008) -- Dr. Brady Barr, who has appeared in more than 60 National Geographic Society films and television shows, will share his fascinating and exciting tales of close encounters with some of the world’s most ferocious crocodiles at “Outlook 2009: We’ve Got Heart!” The National Geographic Society’s resident reptile expert for more than a decade, Barr is the first scientist ever to capture and study all 23 species of crocodiles in the wild. Go RVing will be a sponsor of Barr’s popular show, “Dangerous Encounters With Brady Barr,” beginning in 2009.

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(Nov. 19, 2008) -- “Coach-Net is the recognized leader in roadside and technical assistance for the RV industry,” said RVDA President Mike Molino. “RVDA’s Board of Directors is pleased to acknowledge Coach-Net’s ongoing support for RV dealers and their customers through this endorsement. Using this program helps keep RV travelers on the road and improves both customer satisfaction and loyalty.”

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(Nov. 18, 2008) -- "Recreation leaders also heard four influential Washington figures, who are now in the private sector but who have held key government posts in past administrations (and may even reappear in the Obama administration),." said Derrick Crandall, president of the American Recreation Coalition. "The four were unanimous in telling the recreation community that the stakes are indeed high, with huge challenges and huge opportunities. They urged recreation leaders to relate recreation to jobs and the economy, to innovative healthcare advances and to 'going green' – the key interests of the Obama administration. Doing so will unlock resources for recreation when traditional budget initiatives will be tremendously constrained by spending on economic stimulus and war costs in the Middle East."

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(Nov. 18, 2008) -- “In fun-to-read articles that certainly entertained the New York Post’s 625,000 readers, Kevin Kernan truly captured the joys of life on the road – and the fun of RVing with fans,” said RVIA Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Gary LaBella. “RVIA looks forward to presenting him with our Distinguished Achievement in RV Journalism Award.”

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