Greg Gerber

(Nov. 17, 2011) -- Founded in 1986 with no product lines but a confident spirit, Ray Cressy went to the International Marine Trades Educational Conference in Chicago with a briefcase and innovative ideas. Today, after 25 years of servicing the marine and RV industries, Cressy Marketing represents 21 companies in the Great Lakes region of the United States.

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- Customers that may consider themselves loyal to you will buy from other sources if they get a better response. Often those purchases start out small: an O-ring or a handle. But, beware, those smaller purchase can turn into a habit and a lost customer. If you're going to win the fight you need the right tools. You need systems, processes and know-how to stay ahead of customers' demand and to keep them loyal.

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- "People may be tempted to ask, 'What did the PR program ever accomplish anyway?'" said Gilanelli. "Well, what if USA Today did an expose on the RV industry on why gas guzzlers pollute, or on why 80-year-olds are driving 45-foot motorhomes -- the size of tractor trailers -- without a special license, or on why RVs breakdown all the time and it can take months to get parts. If they ever did, there isn't enough Go RVing money to stem the tide of negative publicity."

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- “Most people are computer savvy enough that they are going to research your campground online before they visit. You want your guests writing positive comments. Unfortunately that doesn’t happen when a guest has an average experience. To earn positive feedback, your campground needs to stand out,” Richardson said.

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- Highlights of the Dec. 7 course in Seattle include interviewing customers for success; selling sealant packages; three ways to double service agreement revenue; and the best kept secrets about Xtraride.

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- The overall October consumer price index fell by 0.1 percent, plus U.S. industrial production jumped 0.7 percent in October, which was above market expectations for a 0.4 percent gain.

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- Originally conceived as a snowbird RV resort with healing natural hot springs, the Fountain of Youth Spa offers an increasing array of health and wellness services, including onsite hair and nail salons, massage therapists, as well as therapeutic exercise classes, including water aerobics, tai chi, yoga and Zumba.

(Nov. 15, 2011) -- Made of heavy-duty, transportation-grade rubber, the one-piece clamp comes in two models to handle many tasks. The standard Quick Fist holds up to 22 pounds, and the Super Quick Fist secures up to 50 pounds. Better than hooks or plastic clamps, Quick Fist cinches tightly and will stretch rather than break.

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- “RV|ID lets us know where each of our rental RVs is and helps us detect theft or improper use and locate the RV in an emergency, all in real-time” said Hodge. “Deploying RV|ID is in furtherance of our ongoing corporate strategy of leveraging the latest technology to improve our business and the RV guest holiday experience.”

(Nov. 16, 2011) -- This week's recipe is for meatballs in mushroom gravy. Lori Stewart of Columbus, Ohio, submitted this recipe. She and her husband travel in a 37-foot Bounder motorhome. She also moderates an RV website, iRV2.com.