ARVC PACKS AGENDA FOR INSITES 2009 CONVENTION & EXPO
ORLANDO, Fla. – The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds has packed the upcoming InSites Convention and Expo in Orlando with more than 20 seminars and panel discussions, a tradeshow with more than 120 exhibiting companies, plus an optional excursion to learn how the Disney Company provides its guests with the ultimate in customer service at its Fort Wilderness campground and in the Magic Kingdom through its “Innovation in Action” behind-the-scenes tour.
“We think this year’s convention will be one of the most informative we’ve ever had,” said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, which organized the Nov. 9 – 12th event, which will take place at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando.
Despite the economy, Profaizer said convention enrollments are ahead of last year’s figures, both for attendees and vendors, many of whom are facing increasing competition for private park business. InSites attendance is also getting a boost from ARVC’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts.
Park operators who arrive in Orlando in advance of the convention will have a chance to participate in two, 8-hour seminars, which are being offered on Sunday, Nov. 8th. These special seminars include:
- “What you need to know about OSHA,” a daylong seminar by Dr. J.R. Harding, a disability expert, regarding proposed changes in Americans with Disabilities Act (ACT) regulations, which are slated to take effect Jan. 1. Participants will have a chance to voice their concerns to OSHA during a public comment period before the new rules take effect. InSites participants pay only $25 for this seminar, thanks to Evergreen USA, which has underwritten most of the cost of this seminar.
- “FUNdation day of recreation,” a daylong seminar in which park operators learn how to develop their own arts and crafts classes, tie-dye t-shirt classes and other fun recreation programs. The cost of this seminar is $125 and includes lunch as well as arts and crafts materials.
Other seminars that are included in the cost of InSites admission will cover many other areas of interest to campgrounds, RV parks and resorts, including social network marketing; marketing through direct mail; guest game and activity planning; team building strategies; as well as estate and succession planning.
Other important seminars include:
- “Renewable energy in America,” a seminar led by Howard Boothroyd of Energy Management Partners in Nokomis, Fla. in which park operators will gain a basic understanding of green construction principles so that they can incorporate some of these concepts into an overall business plan.
- “Identity theft and its potentially crippling effect on you as a business owner,” also by Gary Quigley.
- “Reducing Resource Usage,” and “Understanding the National Electric Code-Making Process,” both by Wade Elliott of Utility Supply Group.
- “How to protect your trees and your park from invasive insects and diseases of trees,” by Frank Lowenstein of The Nature Conservancy.
- “What public affairs can do for you,” by David Gorin of David Gorin & Associates.
The convention will also feature panel discussions, including a state of the
industry panel with ARVC President and CEO Linda Profaizer; Richard Coon, president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA); Pat Hittmeier, COO of Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA); Vic Nolting, vice chair of Leisure Systems Inc. (LSI); and Ron Beard, CPO of Ron Beard & Associates in Austin, Texas.
David Gorin and Aubrey King will also lead an open forum updating the ARVC Public Affairs Program, while Bob MacKinnon of Murrieta, Calif.-based GuestReviews.com will provide an update on ARVC’s GuestReviews program, also in a forum format.
Meanwhile, the InSites tradeshow will feature more than 120 exhibiting companies that provide products and services for every aspect of campground operations, from insurance to accommodations, retail operations and Wi-Fi service.
The Nov. 9 – 12th convention will also include an opportunity to tour Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground, and learn how Disney handles merchandising and why certain products are placed in certain areas of their stories. Park operators will also have a chance to see how Disney creates its topiaries and tour Disney’s laundry facility, the largest in the world.
“Park operators won’t be able to recreate all of Disney’s ideas in their parks, but they should be able to garner a few concepts to take back with them to improve their guests’ experience,” said Daniel Gurley, director of membership for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
For a complete listing of InSites seminars, panel discussions, networking opportunities and information on participating vendors as well as enrollment forms, please visit www.arvc.org or contact ARVC headquarters at (303) 681-0401.