Bates Blog

Life in the RV can be full of adventure and new experiences. The spring season brings new opportunities for RV travelers to explore the natural world and create lasting memories. Of the many activities available to RV travelers during spring, whale-watching season is a great opportunity to learn and experience something new.

Beginning in mid-February, grey whales leave breeding and calving sites off the coast of Baja, California and travel north to summer feeding grounds in the Chukchi and Bering Seas. Traveling close to shore, grey whales can be spotted along the West Coast of the United States and Canada.

These giant mammals, which can reach 46 feet in length and weigh up to 36 tons, make one of the longest annual migrations in the world, traveling around 10,000 miles round trip. Inquisitive and friendly towards people, grey whales are known to spyhop, lobtail and breach the surface.

The West Coast of the United States has a long history of whale watching. High points along the coastline offer many opportunities for land-based observations. Traveling along the famous Pacific Coast Highway gives RVers a good chance to spot whales while experiencing the beautiful landscapes of one of the most scenic routes in the U.S. This legendary highway hugs most of the coastline from San Diego to northern Washington, providing a continuous avenue for RV travelers who want to stay close to the coast.

Charter companies also offer visitors a unique perspective of the whales from the air or water. With the ability to cover large areas in a limited time, air tours give visitors a good chance of seeing whales. Boat tours offer the chance for an up-close and personal experience. Grey whales are curious and friendly, sometimes approaching boats and poking their heads out of the water.

Novice whale-watching RVers can also take advantage of the weeklong program offered by Whale Watching Spoken Here®. This program provides trained volunteers at 26 proven whale-watching sites from northern California to southern Washington. Volunteers help visitors spot whales and provide educational information. This spring’s session will run March 24-31, 2012.

The annual migration of the grey whales provides an exciting and moving experience for veteran and novice whale watchers. With so many places to see these massive mammals, RVers will find whale watching an interesting and exciting spring activity and a perfect reason to take to the road.

While spotting whales can take practice, finding a great RV campground is easy. Encore and Thousand Trails RV Resorts offer premier RV resorts all along the West Coast. Each location offers unique amenities and activities, such as swimming pools, spas, fitness centers, lounges, sports courts, organized activities, Wi-Fi access and more.

To book a visit to any of these Encore and Thousand Trails RV resorts on the West Coast, call (866) 730-0637 or visit www.RVontheGO.com. Below is a sampling of RV resorts on the West Coast.

• Pacific Dunes Ranch RV Resort – 1205 Silver Spur Place., Oceano, CA 93445
• Santa Cruz Ranch RV Park – 917 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
• San Francisco RV Resort – 700 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica, CA 94044
• Rancho Oso RV Resort– 3750 Paradise Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
• Morgan Hill RV Resort– 12895 Uvas Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
• South Jetty RV Resort – 05010 S. Jetty Road, Florence, OR 97439
• Whaler’s Rest RV Resort– 50 S.E. 123rd St., South Beach, OR 97366
• Pacific City RV Resort – 30000 Sandlake Road, Cloverdale, OR 97112
• Seaside RV Resort – 1703 12th Ave., Seaside, OR 97138
• Long Beach RV Resort – 2215 Willow Road, Seaview, WA 98644
• Oceana RV Resort – 2733 State Route 109, Ocean City, WA 98569

DENVER -- The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has negotiated an exclusive member benefit with Ford Motor Company that could save ARVC members thousands of dollars with vehicles they lease or purchase for their businesses or personal use.

The benefit, available immediately to ARVC members, includes a non-taxable rebate off the guaranteed dealer invoice worth thousands of dollars that they can use at any time, so long as they are ARVC members.

"We've never offered a benefit like this before," said Paul Bambei, ARVC's president and CEO, adding that this benefit alone is worth 10 to 20 times' the annual cost of ARVC membership for a typical 100-site park.

In most cases, net purchase prices with the ARVC member discount will be 15 to 20 percent below the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) and applies to nearly every car, truck, or van in the Ford product line for 2011-12.

The Ford Motor Company discounts are the latest in a series of exclusive discount programs that ARVC has obtained for its members.

Other new benefits include an exclusive discount program with Just In Time Communications, Inc., a national distributor for DIRECTV, to provide satellite television service to ARVC member parks at rates that can save park operators tens of thousands of dollars a year, depending on the size of their park.

ARVC has also secured a preferred provider agreement with Skyline Corp., which now provides ARVC member parks with significant savings on towable travel trailers as well as park models, which are custom designed for use as rental units. Combined with existing agreements with long time member benefit providers such as Evergreen Insurance, John Deere, Suburban/Ferralgas/Amerigas LP, Sherwin Williams, and many others, a member's savings can be significant over the course of a year.

Based in Denver, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds is the national voice of the outdoor hospitality industry. More information is available at www.arvc.org.

JACKSON CENTER, Ohio -- Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO) announced that Bob Martin will become RV Group President effective February 1, 2012. Thor's six RV companies – Airstream, CrossRoads, Dutchmen, Heartland, Keystone RV and Thor Motor Coach – will report to Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin will report to Peter Orthwein, Thor's Chairman, President & CEO.

Mr. Martin, an 18-year industry veteran and Elkhart native, is currently President of Keystone RV, Thor's largest subsidiary.

In other management moves, Matt Zimmerman, currently Vice President of Sales for Keystone RV, succeeds Martin as President of Keystone. Mr. Zimmerman has been with Keystone 13 years in a variety of sales and management positions. In addition, David Chupp, currently Vice President of Finance for Keystone, has been named its Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Chupp joined Keystone in 2000.

"Bob, Matt, and David assume their new responsibilities with a history of success in their previous positions. These promotions will further strengthen Thor's leading position in the RV industry," commented Peter Orthwein, Thor's Chairman, President & CEO.

"I am privileged to have this opportunity to be associated with all the great Thor companies," said Bob Martin. "As the largest RV manufacturer in the world, Thor Industries has much to offer our customers, RV owners and the community. I look forward to working with all of Thor's RV companies in my new role to leverage the strength and capabilities of Thor Industries."

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"The Florida Super Show always gives us some indication of how the spring show season will gand it looks like it's going tbe a great year. The consumer reaction tour 2012 line-up was very positive." explained Dana Simon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Thor Motor Coach.

The all new 2013 Palazzrear diesel stole the show, drawing crowds throughout the event. The industry received its first look at the Palazzwhen it was unveiled in November at the RV National Trade show in Louisville, KY. The Palazzo's compact low-profile design makes it easy tdrive while providing the amenities a premium motorhome shopper expects, as well as several they might not.

Palazzo's Standard Equipment Highlights: Chassis and Storage

• 34' 6", 300HP rear diesel
• Twslide-outs
• 10,000 lbs. hitch
• Auto-Generator start
• Low-profile slide tray
• Motorhome Mudroom™
• Tall Mega-Storage™ Pass-through compartment

• Seating for eight in the living space
• Always-in-View™ TV slide system
• Home theater sound
• Bedroom TV
• Oversized shower
• Pull-out computer tray in the dash
• Brushed metallic residential refrigerator and microwave

FAIRFAX, Vir. -- The RV Learning Center scholarship program awards a $2,500 scholarship annually to deserving college sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate students majoring in business, finance, economics, accounting, or other RV-related subjects. Dealers and other industry partners are able to offer this opportunity to their team specifically because of their employment in the RV industry. Visit www.rvlearningcenter.com for an application.

Scholarship applicants must:

• Have a 2.8 or better cumulative grade point average, and a 1050 minimum SAT score (1575 minimum on the 2400 point scale). A minimum ACT composite score of 22 is also acceptable.
• Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior college undergraduate student.
• Complete a 500 word essay on their goals and objectives for attending college.
• Submit a copy of their Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form which is available from guidance counselors or for download at no charge from the U.S. Department of Education at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to fund a portion of their educational expenses on their own.
• Attend an accredited four-year college or university as a condition of receiving the scholarship.
• All items must be submitted by June 4, 2012. Dealer principals, their family and dependents, are not eligible. A four-color poster describing the RV Learning Center scholarship program suitable for display in employee break or lunch areas is also available to download at www.rvlearningcenter.com.

The scholarship program is possible due to the generosity of the Newt and Joanne Kindlund Family. The Kindlunds are the founders of Holiday RV Superstores—the first publicly-traded RV dealership. The Kindlunds sold the company in 1999. Newt Kindlund remains an active participant in RV industry affairs and currently serves on the RV Learning Center Board of Directors. The Kindlund Family has fully funded the $270,000 Foundation scholarship endowment.

For more information on the RV Learning Center scholarship program, send an e-mail to info@rvda.org or visit www.rvlearningcenter.com. The RV Learning Center is a tax-exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.

Effective immediately, Stephane Cordeille has been promoted to chief executive officer of Thetford Corporation. The announcement was made January 24.

"Thetford is a global company with very similar operations in the US and Europe," said Cordeille. "Because of this, nothing changes for our customers and we will continue to make the best use of our global resources to the benefit of all our customers."

Cordeille has a long history with Thetford and is already known by many of Thetford's customers. He joined Thetford in 1988 as sales manager of its French subsidiary. He has served as director of sales & marketing and director of European operations before being named managing director of Thetford's RV Europe operations in 2004.

Prior to joining Thetford, Cordeille headed up the merchandising team for Gloria-Friskies, a unit of Nestle Corp. He has a degree in economics and attended the Business School of Exeter for commerce and management.

It was also announced that Peter Struijs was promoted to chief financial officer, worldwide. Struijs, who joined Thetford in 1999, has been the European director of finance and IT since 2006. Before that, he was the company's manager of finance. He holds a BA in business economics.

"These promotions indicate the strength of personnel at Thetford and the commitment of ownership to reward long-term performance and contribution to the company," said Michael J. Harris, president and COO of DKM (Thetford's parent company), referring to the promotions.

Thetford is a world leader in recreational products, including sanitation, refrigeration and other RV and marine products.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Thetford is the world's leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the RV, marine and heavy-duty truck industries. It is a privately-held company with eight manufacturing facilities in four nations.

Thetford subsidiaries include Norcold, America's leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV, marine and truck markets; Tecma, a producer of fine-china toilets and powerful waste-transfer systems based in Italy; and Thetford UK, a unit in England that manufactures Spinflo brand high-quality cooking and heating appliances as well as accessories.

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The TailGator provides the needed protection to safely load and unload ATV's, golf carts, and oversized objects into your truck bed. It was built to prevent damage and add support for the tailgate cables from undue stress.

It pins directly into any standard 2" receiver, completely omitting the additional strain on the tailgate. And with a load capacity of 1,000 pounds, the possibilities are endless. For more information on the TailGator and their complete line of towing and hitch systems contact Blue Ox, One Mill Road, Industrial Park, Pender, NE 68047; phone 402-385-3051; fax 402-385-3360; email info@blueox.com; website www.blueox.com

Job Fair Scheduled for Saturday, February 4th

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. -- Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort in Santa Claus, Indiana, is hosting a Job Fair on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the Lake Rudolph office. The job fair will take place between 9:00 a.m. and Noon CST. Those interested in seasonal work this summer are invited to attend anytime during this 3-hour period and fill out an application.

Seasonal positions are available at Lake Rudolph in the following areas: Activities, Housekeeping, Blitzen Kitchen, Maintenance, Grounds, Call Center, Welcome Center, Camp Store, Lifeguards, Security, and Shuttle Drivers. Applicants may speak with representatives from each department and ask any questions.

All applicants are welcome. College students, high school students, retirees and others are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, with some positions requiring applicants to be older. Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort is located on Highway 245. Those attending the job fair should arrive at the main entrance to the campground and will be directed where to park.

For those that are not able to attend the job fair, applications will be available at the Lake Rudolph office during regular business hours. A downloadable application is also available on the Employment page of the Lake Rudolph website. All applications must be returned by March 9, 2012.

Twice-named National RV Park of the Year, Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, opens daily on May 1, 2012. Reservations are being taken for the 2012 season. To make reservations visit www.LakeRudolph.com or call toll-free 1-877-478-3657.

BURLINGTON, Iowa -– During the ‘Driving Success’ Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Stag-Parkway recognized Winegard Company for its key contributions to the company’s overall success with its 2011 Partnership award, which has become known throughout the RV industry as the "Peach." This is Winegard’s fourth Peach Award.

Stag-Parkway recognized Winegard Company for its outstanding product quality and new technology, a strong commitment to dealer training, technical service, and superior communications efforts. Winegard was also commended on its commitment and support to the Complete Merchandising Solutions program.

"We have worked diligently as a company to establish ourselves as a leader in the industry," said Aaron Engberg, director of mobile product division for Winegard. "It is rewarding to have our hard efforts recognized by a respected leader such as Stag-Parkway and I am honored to accept this award for Winegard."

Winegard supplies a complete mobile product line up to Stag-Parkway, including TRAV’LER, RoadTrip and Carryout satellite TV antennas as well as Sensar and RoadStar over-the-air TV antennas, along with a wide variety of accessories.

Stag-Parkway’s product management team uses a 10-point scale to measure supplier performance across four important business metrics. The overall score is then added to a subjective component that helps the company arrive at the final group of recipients.

TUCSON, Ariz., -- Tucson RV park owner George O'Leary is putting the finishing touches on $1 million worth of improvements at his two Rincon Country RV Resorts.

"You would not believe the number of people who have complimented us," said O'Leary, who recently resurfaced the roads and completed other cosmetic improvements to his two Rincon Country parks.

While the improvements have yet to translate into increased business for his two parks, O'Leary says it is imperative for RV park and resort operators in Tucson and across the Sunbelt to continually make improvements to their parks if they want to continue to attract today's snowbirds.

"I remember when we opened our first Rincon Country park in 1970," O'Leary said. "Our first renters were World War One retirees and Depression Era campers - a very frugal and easy to please group of people."

Today's snowbirds, however, are increasingly looking for high quality amenities and facilities, which means park operators have to continually upgrade their facilities if they want to retain or expand their marketshare.

"We are continuously improving the appearance and modernization of our resorts," O'Leary said. "Quite often when folks drive into our parks, they say to us, 'This looks like a new park.' They are surprised to learn that Rincon County East opened for business in 1979 and Rincon West in 1984."

In addition to making cosmetic improvements, O'Leary has also hired a new activities director for each resort and expanded his parks' offering of activities, including classes and professional live entertainment, including comedy shows, celebrity impersonators and musical entertainment. Classes include arts and crafts, woodcarving, pottery and ceramics as well as lapidary and silversmithing. The resorts also offer periodic seminars on health related topics as well as potlucks, wine tastings, dances and other social events.

For more information about Rincon Country RV Resorts, please visit the resorts' websites at www.rinconcountry.com. Both resorts are affiliated with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, the Denver-based trade association that representatives the outdoor hospitality industry that markets campgrounds, RV parks and resorts through its website at www.GoCampingAmerica.com.

RV parks and resorts in popular snowbird destinations across Arizona are reporting occupancies consistent with last winter's figures, with some parks experiencing slight increases in occupancies over last winter.

"I think that, if anything, we see a little comeback in the economy. Even 1 or 2 percentage points is a little bit of a boost in the economy," said Jo Ann Mickelson, executive director of the Arizona Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

"We are having a very good year," said Jim Beach, general manager of National Mobile Development, which owns the 1,800-site Mesa Spirit RV Resort in Mesa. "Our reservations were up 2 to 3 percent, but my sense is we're up a little bit more than our reservations told us we were."

Wendell Johnson, general manager of the 1,863-site Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande, said his occupancies are also up. "I would say that right now we're about 3 percent over last year, and we had one of our best years last year," Johnson said. He added that Palm Creek will be filled to capacity or very close to it by the middle of February. "That's when we hit our maximum," he said.

Saundra Bryn, who operates Desert's Edge RV Village in Phoenix, said her business has also been trending upward in recent years, though last year was especially busy at her park because her winter snowbirds were supplemented by insurance adjusters, roof and dent repair specialists who spent several months at her park after the city experienced a major hailstorm.

Further south, winter business levels are also in synch with last winter's figures at the two Rincon Country RV Parks in Tucson, according to park operator George O'Leary. He added that the winter snowbird business remains strong in southern Arizona, particularly at parks that are continuing to improve their facilities and amenities.

Parks in the Yuma area are also having a good winter, including Rolle's Lynda Vista RV Park. "Things are busy," said park manager Ruth Conti. "I haven't had a cancellation in years."

Mickelson, for her part, owns J and H RV Park in Flagstaff. But even though northern Arizona is in the midst of winter's grip, she's already receiving reservations for the coming summer.

"I'm having lots of reservations and inquiries coming in every day now," she said. "That's a good sign. That's what we want. I feel people are thinking about what they want to do, whether it's for the winter months or the summer."

For more information about winter business levels at RV parks and resorts in Arizona, please contact JoAnn Mickelson at the Arizona Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, at (602) 493-6196. The association is the Arizona affiliate of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, the national voice of the outdoor hospitality industry. Visit their respective websites at www.gocampinginarizona.com and www.gocampingamerica.com.

As Florida heads into its peak winter season, many RV parks and resorts are reporting growing numbers of snowbirds who are showing up at the last minute without reservations, while others are splitting their time between resorts in different parts of the state.

"The Baby Boomers are coming now," said Lynda Phelps, owner of Up River RV Resort in Fort Myers. And unlike snowbirds of years past, who would book sites for the whole season, Phelps said Boomers are more likely to book campsites at the last minute, often calling from the road.

"They are more tentative, probably because they are just getting their feet wet" in seeing what Florida has to offer, she said.

But even if they only make a reservation for one night, Phelps finds that her winter guests often wind up staying for a week or more, once they get an idea of her park's amenities, which include a heated swimming pool and spa; a 9-hole non regulation golf course; tennis; bocce ball; and fishing and kayaking along the Caloosahatchee River.

But even though today's winter visitors are more spontaneous, Phelps said her winter business levels are strong. "Our business is up over last year," she said. "We're having a good season."

Tim Deputy, general manager of Sun N Fun RV Resort in Sarasota, said his business is way up from last year's figures, with a 20 percent increase in RV site rentals and a 27 percent increase in park model rentals. He said the park is "fully booked" for February and March.

He attributed the increase in part to the resort's new indoor pool and wellness center, which was completed in time for the winter season. "It's just insane," Deputy said. "I've never seen so many people working out in the resort."

John Parkhurst, manager of Holiday Travel Resort in Orlando, said occupancies at the 935-site park are consistent with last winter's figures, though he is also experiencing a large influx of snowbirds who show up at his park without reservations. "We're getting people who are staying longer," he said. "They come in for a month and they stay longer."

Carefree RV Resorts, which operates 28 resorts in Florida, is seeing growing demand for RV site rentals this winter.

While the company's daily/weekly and monthly occupancies are flat this month compared to last January, daily/weekly and monthly RV site rentals are up 3 percent and 4 percent, respectively, in February, said David Napp, the company's CEO.

Across Florida, business levels appear to be strongest along the West Coast, with parks in other areas of the state reporting business levels that are either flat or slightly down from last winter's figures, said Bobby Cornwell, executive director of the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

Chris Long, a general manager and partner at Central Park of Haines City, said occupancies are down 3 to 4 percent at his park this winter, which he attributes in part to "jumpers," snowbirds who split the winter in different parks to see what the different regions of Florida have to offer.

But while his overall occupancies are down this winter, Long is seeing exceptionally strong demand for park model rentals at his park. "Either they have an RV and gave it up or they want to try it before they buy a park model or another RV," he said, adding, "The rental market is strong."

Bill Harvey, who owns and operates Cross Creek RV Resort in Arcadia, said his business is about 6 percent ahead of last winter's figures. "The activity is very strong," he said.

For more information about winter business levels at RV parks and resorts in Florida, please contact Bobby Cornwell at the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, at (850) 562-7151. The association is the Florida affiliate of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, the national voice of the outdoor hospitality industry. Visit their respective websites at www.campflorida.com and www.gocampingamerica.com

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"Our diesel products have never been better than in 2012," said Winnebago Industries' Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. "In fact, over the last three years, we have more than doubled our diesel market share to become the second largest manufacturer of Class A diesels. Much of that is thanks to innovative, new floorplans like the 42E that offers amenities and spacious living that make them a cut above the competition."

As the first tag-axle floorplan in the popular Journey and Meridian lineups, the new triple slide 42E has it all. This bath and a half floorplan features a full wall slide on the passenger side of the coach that includes an impressive 40-inch LCD HDTV, Euro Recliner with pull-out table, buffet with extendable dining table and chairs, four-door refrigerator, pantry and residential-like bedroom wardrobe. The living area also offers a Rest Easy® extendable sectional sofa, tray ceiling design and polished ceramic tile for an inviting, upscale look.

The fully-equipped mid-coach galley features an innovative pull-out island for more prep space, as well as increases your storage space with three drawers on full-extension slides. Besides the one-of-a-kind wardrobe that features a full-length clothes rod, his and hers three drawer units and an adjustable shoe shelf, the roomy bedroom includes a queen bed nestled in the slideout and dual nightstands. A new, power-adjustable king bed is also optional. The private master bath in the rear of the coach features our incredibly spacious BIG Shower as well as plenty of storage, with a washer/dryer optional. A half bath sits mid-coach that is perfect for guests.

The 42E is built on our 44,320-lb. GVWR Maxum® lowered rail tag-axle chassis that features 220 cubic feet of easy-to-access exterior storage and unsurpassed ride and handling. The 42E has plenty of power too with a 400 hp Cummins ISL 8.9L turbo-charged diesel engine.

"The new 42E is a great floorplan at a great price point," said Mike Regan, president and general manager of Crestview RV Center in Buda, TX. "I love the bath and a half floorplan, and I think customers are really going to like the usability and layout of this coach."

The 2012 Winnebago Journey and Itasca Meridian 42E make their retail market debut at this week's Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, Fla. For more information on the 2012 Winnebago Journey and Itasca Meridian, or to find a dealer, visit www.GoWinnebago.com or www.GoItasca.com.

TOPEKA, Ind. – The all-nnew 2012 Starcraft Travel Star half-ton fifth wheel, which debuted at the 49th annual National RV Trade show in Louisville, is now available in dealer showrooms throughout North America.

The Travel Star fifth wheel is currently offered in two flexible floorplans with two more to be introduced over the next few months. It's loaded with all the necessary camping features, constructed with vacuum-bonded laminated sidewalls and insulated by the standard Arctic Package. All of this, combined with an affordable Starcraft price, makes this fifth wheel a great addition to the market and Starcraft's full towable line up.

"We received valuable feedback on the Travel Star fifth wheel at Louisville and we're excited it's now available at our dealerships for our customers."? said Brent Froman, Starcraft National Sales Manager. "This half-ton towable fifth wheel reaches a new market for Starcraft and fills a gap that was missing in our full towable line up."? Froman commented.

Inside, the fifth wheel includes in-floor ducted heat with thermostat controlled heating, cable and satellite TV prep, decorative lighting package, multi-media sound system with AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 input jack and a 60"? x 80"? upgraded evergreen mattress. The kitchen comes complete with a three-burner range, six cubic-foot flush-mount refrigerator, deep storage drawers under booth dinette seats, extra large picture window at dinette, double drawer with integrated silverware dividers, oversized 21-inch oven, residential faucet with pull-out sprayer and sink covers, and a storable cutting board.

On the outside, the 2012 Travel Star fifth wheel comes with a patio awning, STARMAXX drop frame basement storage area, enhancing the storage area by 25% and complete with tool hooks and light. It also includes a 10-gallon gas/electric DSI water heater, radial tires with chrome hub caps, dual 20-pound LP bottles, and two rear stabilizer jacks. The 278BHS floorplan features an outdoor kitchen with sink, two-burner stove and TV prep.

Also for 2012 on the new Travel Star half-ton fifth wheel is the optional Galaxy Package that features 17 upgrades, including colored front fiberglass cap, deluxe graphics package, electric awning, aluminum rims, rear power stabilizer jacks, 32"? LCD TV with DVD player, key fob remote which controls the patio awning, porch light, security light, front and rear jacks and slideout room and slam latches on front pass-through storage doors, among others.

MINNEAPOLIS — Cummins Onan recently celebrated the production of its two millionth RV generator at its Fridley, Minnesota, plant. To help mark this historic milestone, the company is inviting RVers to submit their favorite RV trip photos. RVers who submit a photo will have a chance to win an Apple® iPad™ 2.

"We know from RV customers that our generators have made a big difference in their comfort and convenience on the road," said Shon Wright, director of RV and Commercial Markets. "And we are proud of producing two million reliable RV generators over the past 50 years. So it makes sense to invite our customers to join in the celebration by sharing their favorite RVing photos."

The contest will kick off at the Florida RV SuperShow on January 10 and run through March 31, 2012. The photos submitted will be put up on the contest website, and people will be able to vote for their favorite. The person submitting the photo that gets the most votes by the end of the contest will receive the iPad 2, complete with FaceTime, Smart Cover, 10-hour battery, 16 GB of memory and Wi-Fi.

To enter an RV trip photo and learn the details of the contest, go to www.rvphotocontest.com.

RVers Invited to Submit Their RV Trip Photos, Get Chance to Win an Apple® iPad™ 2

Bob Olson

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Randy Potts will assume the role of Chairman of the Board in addition to his current positions of Chief Executive Officer and President

Randy Potts, 53, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board in addition to his current positions of Chief Executive Officer and President, in accordance with the Company's succession plans. A 28-year veteran of Winnebago Industries, Potts joined the Company in 1983 as a senior tool designer. He has served in various engineering and management positions since that time. In January 2011, he was elected to the position of President and was elected to the additional role of Chief Executive Officer in June 2011. Potts has also served as Vice President, Manufacturing and Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning in which he was responsible for new business development for the Company. Potts is a graduate of Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo, Iowa.

Olson, 60, is a 43-year veteran of Winnebago Industries. While relinquishing his role as Chairman of the Board, he will remain a member of the board of directors and will also continue to serve in his role on the Executive Committee of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association and as Co-Chair of the Go-RVing Coalition. "I look forward to traveling more with my wife, Kathy, in our Winnebago Journey motor home as we experience the RV lifestyle we have promoted the last 43 years," said Olson. "I am also excited to continue to serve the Company as a member of the Board of Directors. Randy has done an outstanding job in leading Winnebago Industries since his promotions last year and I have every confidence in his ability to lead as we continue to move forward and grow in the future."

"Bob has successfully led Winnebago Industries through some of the most challenging times in our Company's history," said Potts. "We are greatly indebted to Bob for his exemplary service, his unwavering dedication and his passion for improving quality and performance in every area of our organization. I feel fortunate to have ready access to his expertise in his continued role as a member of our Board of Directors and look forward to moving forward with the vision he has helped to chart for the Company's future."

WASHINGTON, DC--Start your new year with a free visit to a national park! All 397 national parks across the country will offer free admission from January 14 through 16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

You can literally walk in Dr. King's footsteps at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Georgia, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama, or the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC – jjust a few of the many national parks that have direct ties to Dr. King or the Civil Rights movement.

Other parks that will hold special events honoring Dr. King that weekend include the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC, Morristown National Historical Park in New Jersey, Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee, and Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, DC.

"Dr. King led the fight to realize his dream of a nation free of discrimination, where every citizen was able to enjoy the inalienable rights promised to all Americans,"? said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "Dr. King's story and those of so many others whose efforts changed our country are preserved in the national parks, places where history happened. I hope every American can take advantage of the upcoming fee free weekend and visit their parks to experience their history firsthand."?

Your nearest national park can also help you keep that New Year's resolution, whether it is to get more exercise, spend quality time with family and friends, try a new sport, learn some history, expand your horizons, or enjoy the natural world. There's something for everyone at a national park, even in the middle of winter. Choices include snow shoe hikes, canoe trips, campfire programs, film festivals, battle reenactments, and music jams. It is also a great time of year to view wildlife such as bison in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming or grey whales at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. A list of activities can be found at www.nps.gov.

The National Park Service will also waive admission fees on 14 other days in 2012 – National Parrk Week (April 21 to 29), Get Outdoors Day (June 9), National Public Lands Day (September 29), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 10 to 12).

MELBOURNE, Australia--PathFinder OutDoor Destinations, based in Melbourne Australia, and Best Parks in America, based in McLean, Virginia have established an international partnership, commencing January, 2012, for the purpose of creating an international network to promote the growth of quality outdoor destination properties and experiences in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Outdoor destinations are natural environments (e.g. holiday parks, vacation resorts, RV parks, campgrounds, cabin resorts, ranches, fishing and hunting lodges and resorts, nature based ecolodges, farm stays, and agritourism properties) where guests can expect memorable experiences, superior quality facilities and amenities and often, unique accommodations. An outdoor destination experience is a combination of both the specific property and the surrounding environment in which it is set. For the guest experience the two are inextricably linked.

The international partnership brings together two leading organizations with the intention of developing a global operation promoting a WOW guest experience in an outdoor environment. The WOW factors will be based on first and lasting impressions, unique products and services, and the opportunity for the guest to recreate, rest, relax and rejuvenate. This international affiliation will provide the opportunity to develop a new sector in tourism that is in line with what holidaymakers, vacationers and avid recreationists are looking for, cross promotes tourism for those properties involved in the affiliation, assists operators to build business and “take their properties to the next level,” and develop a global rating criteria that promotes achievable benchmarks for operators to aspire to and ensures guests a great outdoor holiday, vacation and recreation experience.

Terry Goodall, co-founder and Managing Director of PathFinder OutDoor Destinations Pty Ltd, says that this is an industry first where we have two organizations prepared to “think outside the square” and develop an international approach to re-define the outdoor holiday guest experience.

David Gorin, founder and president of Best Parks in America is equally excited about the new partnership. “Outdoor destinations appeal to all ages from active young adventurers, families, empty nesters, and retirees. The opportunity to be in the forefront of the development of this new travel and tourism sector will give Best Parks in America affiliates and outdoor destinations around the world the opportunity to set a new standard for these kinds of recreational activities and vacation experiences,” said Gorin.

PathFinder OutDoor Destinations, established in 2011, is a breakaway brand designed to facilitate successful business growth through an enlarged opportunity horizon. PathFinder offers customized innovation, not imitation by purposely seeing what others see, but think what others have not yet thought.

Best Parks in America was established in 2003 as a marketing group for highly rated RV parks and campgrounds. Today, Best Parks is charting a new and exciting outdoor resort concept for its more than 80 affiliated parks across the United States and Canada. The organization was founded by David Gorin, former President and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, and owner of David Gorin & Associates, a consulting company that exclusively serves the needs of RV park and campground investors, developers and property owners.

The partnership anticipates further expansion in 2012 to further broaden the non-competitive sharing of information for the benefit of its members and, ultimately, the consumer.

For further information on PathFinder, contact Ed Brooker, International Director, at 1-905-938-5359 or at ebniagara@gmail.com. For additional information on Best Parks in America, contact Deb Kohls, Vice President, 714-269-1264 or at deb@BestParksinAmerica.com.

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This stand-alone division is housed in its own separate 100,000-square-foot facility recently purchased in Middlebury. According to national sales manager Elliott Bond, Lifestyle LRV will eventually employ a large staff consisting almost entirely of former key Carriage employees.

The last several weeks have been full of activity with ongoing developments in the product and staff, Bond said, and there is a high amount of enthusiasm already circulating about the new Lifestyle LRV brand.

FOREST CITY, Iowa-- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WGO), a leading United States (U.S.) recreation vehicle manufacturer, was recognized by Ford Motor Company for receiving the "fully meets" classification as part of their Truck Quality Program. Winnebago Industries has received this award from Ford since the program's inception in 1997.

The Truck Quality Program is the highest honor awarded to vehicle modifiers. It is based on an assessment of a modifier's engineering capability, design and build process controls, management commitment and quality control procedures. According to Ford, the purpose of this program is to assure vehicle modifiers have the capability and processes in place to complete the vehicle in a repeatable manner that maintains the integrity of the Ford chassis system, meets Federal and other standards in place at the time of the build and provides end users with a quality-built vehicle that meets their expectations.

"We work very closely with Ford, as with all our suppliers, to maintain the integrity of the purchased components in order to provide a superior product for our customers in the market place," said Winnebago Industries' Director of Quality Control Chuck Hughes. "We believe we have excelled in Ford's Truck Quality Program due to the advanced technology we utilize in the development and manufacturing process of our motor homes with industry-leading designs, as well as by employing seasoned manufacturing engineering staffs and manufacturing management with the commitment to adhere to these stringent guidelines. It continues to be a priority for us in order to meet and exceed our customers' expectations for the quality found in each Winnebago Industries' product that we build."

Providing fresh air anytime, rain or shine, the Maxxair II Vent Cover from MaxxAir Vent Corporation is the company's most advanced vent cover ever. It has double the vent opening, compared to MaxxAir's original vent cover, and includes exclusive, easy-to-open hinged brackets. Fitting over all 14" x 14" standard RV roof vents, the MaxxAir II protects the RV interior when raining, while allowing cooking odors, musty air and heat to escape.

Exclusive side louvers provide unsurpassed cross ventilation. Hinged mounting brackets provide full access for cleaning and inspection. This is especially convenient when installed over a high powered fan ventilator. Stainless steel snap lock pins remove without tools for easy access.

The MaxxAir II is constructed from high-density polyethylene with maximum UV Protection. Its one-piece aerodynamic shape maximizes the vent area and mounts to the same holes as the MaxxAir standard vent cover.

Available in Translucent White, Smoke Tint, Shellwhite (Almond) and Black, all models come with an industry best 6-year warranty. The MaxxAir II has a price range of $39.95 to $59.95.

Contact
MaxxAir Vent Corporation
5513 W. Sligh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33634, USA
800-780-9893
Fax: 813-876-2550.
CustService@maxxair.com
www.maxxair.com.

RICHMOND, Vir.- The Hillbridge Group, a Richmond based government relations firm, is pleased to welcome the Virginia Campground Association as its newest client.

The Virginia Campground Association is a statewide trade association that represents a combination of private and public parks and campgrounds throughout the Commonwealth. The VCA serves as a resource to campground owners and promotes the plethora of camping and RV opportunities in Virginia.

The Hillbridge Group will represent the Virginia Campground Association in all matters pertaining to legislative and regulatory policies. This new partnership will enable the VCA to build a strong government affairs program that will better position them in the legislative process. The Hillbridge Group will work to help pass policies that encourage and protect small businesses and defeat measures that would harm members’ ability to manage successful campgrounds and parks.

“We are eager to educate decision-makers and the public on the significant economic contributions parks and campgrounds bring to our tourism industry,” said Aimee Perron Seibert, founder and President of The Hillbridge Group. “Camping is an affordable and attractive vacation option for Virginia families and we look forward to ensuring the Commonwealth remains a small-business friendly environment for campground and park owners.

The Hillbridge Group represents a variety of clients, including membership organizations, non-profits and small businesses. They are dedicated to representing clients who contribute to Virginia’s economy and the well being of Virginia’s citizens. The Virginia Campground Association is a welcome addition to the Hillbridge Group.

The Virginia Campgrounds Association (VCA) is a statewide trade association representing the RV parks and campgrounds throughout the state of Virginia. VCA is affiliated with the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. The association has 65 members that offer 10,925 camping sites to campers and Rvers. VCA publishes the annual Virginia Campground Directory, conducts educational and training programs for members to improve businesses and guest services, offers a number of member benefits to help members save money and increase revenues and monitors state and national government activities to keep members up to date on legislative and regulatory actions impacting park businesses.

David and Maggie Robinson, Co-owners, and Kacie McLaughlin, Activity Director of Holly Shores Campground located in Lower Township, presented a check to Cape Regional Medical Center in the amount of $8,344 which represents the final installment of their three-year, $25,000 pledge. The Holly Shores donation will go towards the Intensive Care Unit Renovation Project, specifically for the renovation of a patient room on the unit. The generous pledge is made possible by various fundraising initiatives that are held at Holly Shores Campground throughout the camping season.

“The Holly Shores family is proud to participate in the renovation of the Intensive Care Unit at Cape Regional Medical Center,” stated Maggie Robinson, Co-Owner of the Campground. “Our fun-raisers are becoming more and more popular – our campers are as enthusiastic as we are about supporting our community Medical Center.”

“Thank you, Dave and Maggie and everyone at Holly Shores Campground for partnering with Cape Regional Medical Center to make the renovation of our Intensive Care Unit a reality,” stated Joanne Carrocino, FACHE, President and CEO. “We value your support as we continue to provide exceptional intensive care to our community.”

The Cape Regional Medical Center Foundation was established in 1999 and is dedicated to raising philanthropic support and community involvement in support of Cape Regional Medical Center. To contact the Cape Regional Medical Center Foundation please call (609) 463-4040 or visit our web site at www.caperegional.com.

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The line, which features a total of six models ranging from ten to fourteen feet, has been very well received since its debut earlier this year. But in a unique effort to continue to produce the highest quality trailers possible Columbia Northwest is setting a controlled production output, offering Somerset to a limited number of markets at the onset.

"Unlike most product launches in the industry, we have decided to grow in a planned and structured manner in order to meet dealer demands in the most optimal way possible," said Ned Collins, CEO of Columbia Northwest, of the company's unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail. "We are willing to sacrifice short term sales growth for long term market penetration, stability, and strong dealer relationships." The Somerset name is a nod to Somerset, Pa. where the Coleman line of trailers was manufactured by FTCA, Inc. for more than four decades. After the Coleman plant closed in early 2011, Columbia Northwest, located just one county away, took action to keep the products and their heritage alive. Many former supervisors, managers and even equipment found a new home with Columbia Northwest. "For 40 years, these products were the market leader representing 30 to 50 percent of any given category," says Allan Reeping, sales director for Columbia Northwest. "We are working to ensure that this standard is upheld as we determine our distribution method." Columbia Northwest is currently working with the dealer network most recently associated with FTCA as well as setting up existing Aliner dealers to carry the Somerset line where appropriate. The company has assigned over half of next year's planned production, and expects to have the remainder to be assigned early in 2012. About Columbia Northwest For more than 25 years Columbia Northwest has manufactured the Aliner from its plant in Mt. Pleasant PA. As the original A-frame pop up camper, the Aliner sets up in 30 seconds, is lightweight enough to be towed by almost any vehicle and can be easily stored and maintained. For more information, visit www.aliner.com.

Washington, DC — Almost 40 million Americans participated in camping last year, according to a new study released today by The Outdoor Foundation, Coleman and Kampgrounds of America (KOA). That equates to more than 14 percent of Americans over age six. The findings are part of the 2011 Special Report on Camping, a leading report tracking American participation in camping.

This extended 54-page Special Report on Camping provides data and analysis on camping participation in the United States, including psychographic profiles, camping preferences and buying behavior. The Report also explores opportunities in the camping industry and the overall future of camping. The findings are based on an online survey of more than 40,000 Americans ages six and older and a supplemental survey of camping participants 18 and older.

“The Special Report on Camping shows that camping endures as part of the American outdoor tradition – accommodating any lifestyle and giving access to any outdoor experience,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation. “Thanks to support and commitment of Coleman and KOA, the Report provides first-of-its-kind information on camping trends, which should be of great interest to everyone in the outdoor community – especially those of us focused on inspiring future generations of enthusiasts."

The study found that introducing children to camping at a young age is vital to their participation as adults. Half of all current campers ages 18 and over experienced their first camping trip before they reached the age of seven. Only nine percent of all adult camping participants tried camping for the first time after age 19.

“KOA has been serving the camping public for 50 years and believes that it is essential to evaluate key outdoor sector and camper trends to continually respond to the diverse outdoor hospitality needs of Americans and international visitors”, said Jim Rogers, Chairman and CEO of Kampgrounds of America. “KOA was pleased to have participated in this special report and looks forward to working with its outdoor partners to use this information to better serve and grow the outdoor marketplace.”

The insights detailed in the 2011 Special Report on Camping are critical to understanding both campers and non-campers and building participation in the activity. Additional findings include:

Overview of Camping Participation

• Almost 40 million Americans went camping in 2010 for a total of 514.8 million outings.
• On average, each camping participant spent almost 13 days camping.
• More than three-quarters of participants are planning 3+ camping trips in the next year.
• Over three-quarters of campers participate in multiple outdoor activities.

Profile of a Camper

• Family is the most popular camping companion for 35 to 54 year olds.
• More than 90 percent of campers hiked during their last in-season trip.
• In the last 12 months, 86 percent of campers went on a camping trip during the summer.
• Over 50 percent of campers are motivated to go camping simply because they enjoy the act of camping

Buying Behavior

• Younger campers are most likely to buy backpacks, while older campers are most likely to buy propane lighting.
• Sixty-one percent of campers say they spend about the same amount on recreation in 2010 as they did in 2009.
• Most new and replacement camping purchases are planned at home before taking the camping trip.

Future of Camping

• Nearly a quarter of frequent campers say their camping trips over the last three years have become longer and more frequent.
• The most cited reasons for reducing the number of trips are a lack of time due to work and family commitments.
• Almost half of all respondents say their fathers took them camping for the first time.

To download a complete copy of the 2011 Special Report on Camping, visit The Outdoor Foundation website at www.outdoorfoundation.org.

The Outdoor Foundation

The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through ground-breaking research, action-oriented convening and outreach and education programs, the Foundation is working with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. Learn more about The Outdoor Foundation at www.outdoorfoundation.org.

Coleman

As a global leader in the innovation and marketing of outdoor products, Coleman, The Outdoor Company, helps people have fun and make memories by providing the gear integral to their favorite outdoor experiences. The company’s products include its legendary lanterns and stoves, as well as coolers, tents, sleeping bags, airbeds, backpacks, furniture, and grills under the Coleman® brand. Additionally, the company provides flotation devices, towables, rainwear, waders, hunting and fishing gear as well as safety and survival equipment under its Stearns®, Sevylor®, Sospenders®, Hodgman®, Mad Dog Gear®, and Helium® brands. Founded in 1900 and based in Wichita, Kansas, Coleman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation. For more information, please visit www.coleman.com.

KOA

For 50 years, Kampgrounds of America has been offering the perfect, convenient getaway and the opportunity to share quality time with family and friends in a safe, clean and fun environment. As North America’s camping leader with 488 locations, KOA offers “camping any way you want it,” with nearly 70,000 campsites for any size recreational vehicle, tents and accommodations such as Camping Cabins and Deluxe Cabins with bathrooms and some kitchens. KOAs are also pet friendly, and most keep your connected to family and friends with WiFi available. KOA is truly a home away from home for millions of North Americans, whether your traveling across the continent, or just down the road. KOA’s home office is still located in Billings, Montana, where KOA was founded 50 years ago on the banks of the Yellowstone River.