RVing in New England,” the weekly Facebook Live show hosted by the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), this week features an open discussion recapping 2024 for its final show of the year, as co-hosts Bob Zagami and John DiPietro will be taking the final two weeks off to spend time with their families.
“We are wrapping up our 9th year of RVing in New England and we could never have done this without our fans who have made this show what it is today. A fun informal show each Wednesday that is kind of like all of us gathering around the campfire,” officials said. “So, we’ll also turn it into Open Mic event so you can contribute to the conversations and tell us some of your best memories in 2024.”
Co-hosted tonight by Bernie Culliton – filling in for Bob Zagami – and John DiPietro, tonight’s show airs at 7 p.m. ET.
The RV Technical Institute’s Level 1 and Level 2 training courses have continued to help train RV technicians on all the systems and components within an RV, including Propane, Electrical, Plumbing, Appliances, Body, Generator, and Chassis. Upon completion of both courses, attendees have learned how to perform basic diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repairs on those systems and components.
One of the students who completed the RV Technical Institute’s Level 1 and Level 2 courses is mobile RV technician Mark Fazioli, PhD. Check out his testimonial below, which describes his training experience with the Institute:
Tell me more about your mobile RV technician business and what initially drew you to RVTI’s program.
I have been an administrator and a professor teaching business and education courses for the past 20 years. My wife and I love our RV and the memories we have from our RV journeys. I have been looking to start my own company, and it was clear I wanted to create a company within the RV industry while utilizing my background in business and education. I formed a company, MP RV Pros, LLC.
My company offers three main services: education, inspections, and repairs, and I knew that if my company was going to be successful, I needed to come out to Elkhart and attend the RV Technical Institute’s training. I am a big believer that you have encapsulated yourself within the environment where you want to succeed. In my case, it was the RV Technical Institute.
What was your Level 1 and Level 2 training experience like?
As an educator, I have high expectations regarding education. The RV Technical Institute did not disappoint me in any fashion. The entire experience, both in Level 1 and Level 2, was amazing. First, the facility is state-of-the-art and has everything students need to learn. The administration, staff, and trainers are friendly and knowledgeable and provide endless support to ensure students learn and have the skills to fulfill their educational goals.
I had no background in repairing RVs. However, that did not matter to the trainers. They take the time to answer every question and go the extra mile to ensure students absorb the skills and knowledge in a theoretical and hands-on manner. They utilized multiple learning styles to accommodate every student and how they learn best. In my book, that makes for an excellent educational institution.
Since completing Level 1 and Level 2, how has your RV Technical Institute training helped your mobile RV tech career?
Upon completing both levels, the RV Technical Institute’s training has given me the confidence to build the company that I envisioned it would be. I will teach several fundamental RV basics courses around Connecticut in the spring. My company will have a booth at two RV shows in the spring and, most of all, help people build family memories through the joy of RVing.
My website is up, and I am booking several appointments for the spring. The RV Technical Institute has assisted me with my mobile RV business way beyond my imagination. It provided me with another way to give back to the community. I am very grateful that the RV Technical Institute has provided me with that opportunity.
Do you plan to complete any additional training through the RV Technical Institute? If so, what does that training look like for you, and what motivated you to complete further RV Technical Institute courses?
I will return to the RV Technical Institute and complete in-person classes while working on my Level 3 certification. My motivation to return for additional courses at the RV Technical Institute is twofold: first, to continue to update my skills and further my knowledge at an institution that is a center hub for education for the RV industry, and second, to keep a connection with a group of trainers who enjoy teaching and sharing their knowledge.
Where else can you learn so much for such a low cost? It does not get better than attending the RV Technical Institute in person.
What’s next for you as a mobile RV tech?
It is simple: Provide services to the RV community that promote family time. Having the option to have mobile tech come to them and repair on the spot is important. We all work hard, and RV issues should not be the reason to cut a vacation short or cancel. For me, it’s about giving back. Thank you, RV Technical Institute, for everything you do.
Kampgrounds of America, Inc. officials are pleased to congratulate Investorade, a Dallas-based real estate investment firm specializing in campgrounds, recreational vehicle, and manufactured housing sectors, on its acquisition of the Bluffton/Fort Wayne South KOA Journey, according to a release.
The Bluffton/Fort Wayne South KOA Journey is the third KOA campground in their portfolio. Owners Blaz Korosec and Blake DeWitt bring a passion for outdoor hospitality and a commitment to enhancing the camping experience for guests. As founders of Investorade, their background in customer service and property management will add great value to the campground.
The Bluffton/Fort Wayne South KOA Journey has been a popular camping destination for years, offering a tranquil retreat in a picturesque wooded setting. Located just 25 minutes from the Fort Wayne metro area, this campground provides the perfect balance of nature and convenience.
“I’m excited to take on the ownership of this wonderful campground,” said campground owner Blaz Korosec. “Our goal is to maintain the relaxing atmosphere that our guests love while introducing new amenities and activities to enhance their stay.”
Campgrounds have a significant economic and cultural impact on local communities. According to KOA’s annual Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report, the average camper spends $156 daily while camping. With 30% of campers saying they are interested in visiting small towns, and another 30% drawn to food tourism, campers are looking to experience the culture of local regions.
Conveniently located near the highways and byways of North America, KOA Journey campgrounds are the perfect stop after a long day on the road. With long pull-thru RV sites for quick and easy setup, well-lit after-hours check-in, and a robust line of RV supplies, KOA Journey campgrounds promise a hassle-free stay for travelers.
At the Bluffton/Fort Wayne South KOA Journey, guests can enjoy a range of amenities including more than 100 full-service RV sites, five cabins, tent sites, a heated pool, basketball court, mini golf, horseshoes, a volleyball court, a playground, and walking trails. The campground also offers organized activities and a Kamp K9® for furry friends.
The Bluffton/Fort Wayne South KOA Journey is one of more than 500 open-to-the-public KOA campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada. Other brands in the KOA Family of Campgrounds include KOA Holidays, designed as the ideal base camp for the great outdoors, offering plenty of activities and amenities for every type of camper. KOA Resorts provide an abundance of staff-led activities, on-site food dining, group meeting space, and more.
Located at 1625 West Lancaster Street in Bluffton, Indiana, it is open year-round.
For more information, please visit the campground’s website, or call 260-824-0127. Reservations are available by going online, using the KOA App, or by calling 1-800-562-8515.
The 2024 Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association Convention (PCOA) took place Dec. 9-12 at the Doubletree Pittsburgh-Cranberry in Mars, Pa. Centered around the theme “Forged in Steel, Defined by Innovation,” the yearly gathering served as the pinnacle event for the association.
Attendees from 61 campgrounds participated in engaging workshops, motivating presentations, and valuable networking sessions. The event provided a platform for members to reflect on their achievements, exchange fresh perspectives, and gear up with renewed energy for the upcoming camping season.
13Workshops
The educational workshops presented were:
Glamping Up Your Rentals by Cathy Reinard
Developing for Tomorrow’s RV Guest by Ed O. Bridgman, presented by Jason Vaughan and Tyler Grim
Practical AI: Enhancing Campground Operations with ChatGPT by Travis Gere
How to Work with Your DMO & Effective Marketing Tips by Jean Ruhf, Ann Nemanic and Ginny Jacob Colella
Don’t Kill Your Golden Goose – Protect & Perpetuate Your Business by Larry Oxenham
Your Legal Tool Kit by Christine Taylor
The Glamping Industry: Growth and Demand by Amber Difabio
Finance Your Vision by Jessica Tice, Rick Strait & Dan Nead
Hiring Outside the Box by Derrick Donnell
Opioid Prevention & Overdose Training by Rich Walmsley
Personality Styles by David Loshelder
QuickBooks 102 by Don Bennett
Fugitive in the Restroom: A Lesson on Leadership and Legacy by Rev. David Anderson
3 Easy Steps to Overcoming Criticism by David Loshelder
There were also two Crackerbarrels, Man Cave Topics moderated by Randy Quinby from Twin Bridge Campground and Activity Topics by Melinda Koehler from Driftstone Campground. A product showcase was held on Wednesday when Heather Gere from campersAPP highlighted her company’s services.
12RoundTables
Round table topics that were offered and their moderators were:
ATMs – Charlie Vakiener
Honey Wagons – Randy Quinby
Reservation Systems – Tyler Grim
Quiet Hours & Security – Melinda Koehler
PCOA Opportunities – Jed Wood
Franchises – Dan & Michele Socola
Free Money – Brett Holmes
WiFi Systems – Cory Grim
PCOA for You – Jed Wood
Dog Parks – Sonya Zacker
PAC – Ryan McFarland
Mini Golf Courses – Bruce Serio
TradeShow – The show consisted of 85 booths. There was great variety of products and services including apparel, advertising, food distributors, software providers, furniture sales, security, online reservation systems, cabins, water treatment solutions, and souvenirs, website design, plus many more. They reported excellent sales.
Auction -The Pennsylvania Auction raises funds for educational endeavors, including the National School of RV Park and Campground Management, college courses and professional development. Thanks to the generosity of the vendors and campground owners, a total of $12,260.00 was raised for the Association and the Education Foundation. Also $1,525.00 was raised for the Care Camps Foundation, which is the official charity of the association. A big thank you to Corey Grim and Melinda Koehler for all the work they put into coordinating this event. The auctioneer was Beth Hillmar of Hillmar Auctions, who did a great job.
Scholarship Winners Announced – During the Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, the winners of the 2024 Scholarships were announced. Winner of the Industry Innovation Scholarship was Sonya Zacker of Clayton Park Campground who will attend the George O’Leary National School of RV Park and Campground Management. The $1,000 college scholarship was awarded to Joan Wood of Blue Rocks Campground. Winning $500 for professional development was Kierney Shook of Buttercup Woodlands Campgrounds.
Convention Attendance – There were 61 campgrounds in attendance, some traveling from other states. Five PCOA campgrounds attended for the first time. There was excitement to see several parks with new owners and managers as well as second and third generation owners in attendance.
Activity – On Wednesday evening, two buses took the attendees to downtown Pittsburgh where they boarded the Gateway Clipper and did a river boat dinner cruise that included an exciting Trivia game. Following the cruise, many took the option to stop at the Duquesne Incline up Mount Washington where a panoramic view of the city was enjoyed.
A special thank you goes to Randy Quinby of Twin Bridge Campground, PCOA Education Committee Chairperson.
SPONSORS
PCOA extends a big thank you to the following generous sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors:
Wilcor International
Merchantry Tourism/Andersons Brochure Distribution
Utility Supply Group
Gold Sponsors:
Acrisure Insurance
Newbook
Away Together
Silver Sponsors:
JVES/Hospitality Connections
AGS/TxAD Internet
Good Sam
Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance
Bronze Sponsors:
Strait Web Solutions
The Towne Law Firm
Danielle Windus-Cook Properties, LLC
Mini Melts of America
Firefly Reservations
CKG
Natural Carbon
RV Life
Campground Views
Campground Studios
WINNERS–TICKETTOWININCENTIVEPROGRAM
CAMPGROUND DRAWINGS
One Free Registration for the 2025 PCOA Convention – Buttercup Woodlands Campground
$200 to be used at any trade show vendor – Blue Rocks Campground & Clayton Park Campground
Free Featured Listing on the PCOA website – Blue Rocks Campground
Free 1/2 Piggyback Program for 2025 – Hickory Hollow Campground
$250 Cash Prize – Rose Point Park Cabins and Camping
Passport Drawing – $200 to be used at any trade show vendor – Clayton Park Campground
VENDOR DRAWINGS
Free booth at the 2025 Trade Show – Utility Supply Group
Quarter-page ad in one issue of the PCOA News – Firefly Reservations
$200 cash award – It’s All About Satellites
Innovation Award winners L-R: Randy Quinby, chair of the Education Committee, Jacob Hagofsky, Buttercup Woodlands Campground; Ron and Pam Thompson, Silver Canoe Campground; Bruce Serio, Mountain Pines Campground; Debby Yeager, Rose Point Park Campground; and Don Bennett, Anderson’s Brochure Distribution, Awards Sponsor.
INNOVATIONAWARDS
The following awards were given to celebrate innovative contributions to campgrounds, their communities and the industry:
Buttercup Woodlands Campground for the Innovative Operations Strategies Award
Silver Canoe Campground for the Innovative Customer Service Award
Mountain Creek Campground for the Innovative Community Relations Award
Deb Yeager, Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping for the Bev Gruber Industry Spirit Award
TheVenue – This was the first time PCOA returned to the Pittsburgh area for a convention since 2005. The newly-renovated Doubletree was beautiful, and the staff was first rate. Everyone enjoyed the delicious meals.
Members of the 2025 PCOA Board L-R: Charlie Vakiener, Regions 1 & 2 VP; Tyler Grim, Vice President; Ryan McFarland, President; Andrew Confer, Region 1 Director; Brett Holmes, Region 2 Director; Jolynn Runkle, Region 3 Director; Randy Quinby, Region 4 Director; James Kesterke, Treasurer; Sonya Zacker, Region 5 Director; Christine Letch, Region 6 Director; Bruce Serio, Regions 5 & 6 VP.
AnnualMeeting&Election
The PCOA annual meeting was held on Tuesday evening. The following board members were elected by their regional attendees for a two-year term:
REGION 1 Andrew Confer Presque Isle Passage RV Park & Cabin Rentals
REGION 2 Brett Holmes Benner’s Meadow Run RV Campground
REGION 3 Jolynn Runkle Hemlock Campground of Potter County
REGION 4 Randy Quinby Twin Bridge Campground
REGION 5 Sonya Zacker Clayton Park RV Escape
REGION 6 Christine Letch Shady Grove Campground
PCOA is excited to announce that the 2025 Convention and Trade show will be returning to the Kalahari Resort Poconos on Dec. 8-11. The association is looking forward to once again going to this fun and exciting venue.
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by PayRange, chats with Gwynn Sullivan, the executive director of the Care Camps Foundation, about the continued work it is doing to support pediatric oncology camps across the U.S. and Canada.
Sullivan highlights the foundation’s recent brand change, its success in garnering the support of numerous industries to provide more support to camps, the importance of its mission to support families dealing with pediatric cancer, and more.
WCM’s Park Update is hosted by Ben Quiggle, editor of Woodall’s Campground Magazine, and Mike Gast, former vice president of communications atKampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA).
CINCINNATI –As travelers turn their attention to off-season adventures, Roadtrippers, the ultimate road trip planning app, inspires journeys with its latest feature: Trending Spots. This real-time feature reveals how many fellow adventurers are exploring popular destinations while planning their trips, fostering a shared travel experience. Paired with insights into emerging travel trends, Roadtrippers serves as the go-to guide for winter escapes-whether you’re seeking sun-soaked deserts, snow-draped national parks, or hidden gems. Think of it as the vision board of road trip planning, sparking ideas and guiding you to your next great adventure.
Discover What’s Trending in Real-Time
The new Trending Spots feature enhances Roadtrippers’ community-focused trip planning by showing users how many others are exploring the same points of interest, National Parks, or roadside attractions. Whether you’re eyeing a detour-worthy roadside gem or considering a bucket-list destination, the feature validates its trending appeal and invites you to join fellow travelers on adventures to extraordinary places.
“With Trending Spots, we’re making trip planning more dynamic and connected,” said Josh Knepfle, Chief Technology Officer at Roadtrippers. “It’s like sitting at the table with other adventurers and saying, ‘Look how many people are excited about this place-maybe you should be, too!'”
Unlock the Perks of Off-Season Travel
As summer crowds fade, Roadtrippers highlights the appeal of off-season destinations. Whether chasing the desert sun in Sedona or Palm Springs, enjoying the charm of snow-covered ski towns, or exploring quieter National Parks, traveling during colder months offers unique opportunities.
Off-season travel advantages include:
Budget-Friendly Options: Lower prices on accommodations and attractions make trips more affordable.
Travel at Your Own Pace: Without the crowds, enjoy relaxed atmospheres and the tranquility often lost during peak travel times. It’s the perfect backdrop for meaningful family adventures.
Seasonal Wonders: Experience the beauty of National Parks during off-season, with serene, snow-dusted trails and free entrance days that enhance the natural splendor.
Plan Your Winter Adventures with Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers integrates all the tools needed to map routes, find can’t-miss destinations, and uncover unexpected detours. With Trending Spots guiding you to popular locations and tips for embracing off-season travel, winter road-tripping has never been easier-or more appealing.
This winter, Roadtrippers encourages travelers to take the road less traveled (or at least less crowded) and create extraordinary memories, whether chasing the sun or the snow.
Roadtrippers is the No. 1 road trip planning app, helping users explore the world by streamlining discovery, planning, booking, and navigation into an intuitive process. To date, Roadtrippers has helped millions plan more than 38 million trips across 7 million points of interest, covering over 42 billion miles.
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Following a pre-launch in June of 2024, Hospitality Connections (HC), a new national membership association designed to facilitate strategic partnerships between benefit providers and business owners, officially launches Jan. 1.
HC’s mission is to create a collaborative platform that helps RV Parks & Campgrounds through state association partnerships while enabling benefit providers to expand their reach to a broader audience of businesses, according to a release.
Hospitality Connections is committed to providing its members with exclusive access to a wide array of resources, services, and partnership opportunities that leverage the power of national membership. By joining their state association if one is available or direct membership if one is not available, campground owners can tap into a network of leading benefit providers and explore new opportunities to SAVE money on programs that will allow campgrounds to MAKE more money for their business.
Key benefits of joining the HC include:
Access to Exclusive Partnerships: Connect with top-tier benefit providers to offer competitive and comprehensive benefits.
Enhanced Negotiating Power: Leverage the collective strength of the membership to secure better rates and services.
Networking Opportunities: Build relationships with fellow business owners and benefit providers from various industries, promoting collaboration and mutual success.
“We are thrilled to launch the Hospitality Connections, which aims to create a way for benefit providers and campground business owners to collaborate,” said Jason Vaughan, Executive Director of Hospitality Connections, “By offering a national platform for partnership building, we aim to ensure that businesses, regardless of size, have access to the most comprehensive and cost-effective benefits solutions.”
The association welcomes business owners from all sectors to join their state or regional associations or reach out in states that do not have a state association and take part in saving programs. Membership is open to businesses of all sizes, and savings will go a long way to all of your state/regional membership dues.
“Campground Association Management Professionals (CAMP) members are always looking to add benefits to their respective associations and increase value to its membership. These latest programs being made available to CAMP accomplish that in a big way and we thank Hospitality Connections for the opportunity to participate,” said CAMP President Michael Moore.
Hospitality Connections is a member association dedicated to the RV Park & Campground Industry. Our mission is to create strategic alliances among RV parks, campgrounds, and related enterprises to foster collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth. Through these partnerships, we strive to create opportunities for RV Parks & Campgrounds SAVE money on important programs and allow them to MAKE more money for their business.
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve officials today (Dec. 18) will likely signal a slower pace of interest rate cuts next year compared with the past few months, which would mean that Americans might enjoy only slight relief from still-high borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards, according to an Associated Press report.
The Fed is set to announce a quarter-point cut to its benchmark rate, from about 4.6% to roughly 4.3%. The latest move would follow a larger-than-usual half-point rate cut in September and a quarter-point reduction in November.
Wednesday’s meeting, though, could mark a shift to a new phase in the Fed’s policies: Instead of a rate cut at each meeting, the Fed is more likely to cut at every other meeting — at most. The central bank’s policymakers may signal that they expect to reduce their key rate just two or three times in 2025, rather than the four rate cuts they had envisioned three months ago.
So far, the Fed has explained its moves by describing them as a “recalibration” of the ultra-high rates that were intended to tame inflation, which reached a four-decade high in 2022. With inflation now much lower — at 2.3% in October, according to the Fed’s preferred gauge, down from a peak of 7.2% in June 2022 — many Fed officials argue that interest rates don’t need to be so high.
But inflation has remained stuck above the Fed’s 2% target in recent months while the economy has continued to grow briskly. On Tuesday, the government’s monthly report on retail sales showed that Americans, particularly those with higher incomes, are still willing to spend freely. To some analysts, those trends raise the risk that further rate cuts could deliver an excessively strong boost to the economy and, in doing so, keep inflation elevated.
PROVO, Utah — Equal-i-zer Hitch, innovator in trailer sway-control technology, has been keeping families safe and happy on the road for nearly 80 years, according to a release. The company owes its success to a team of seasoned employees with extensive industry knowledge.
Customers have greater trust in products when they know the sales representative has extensive tenure and knowledge in the industry. This is why the sales representatives at Equal-i-zer Hitch have such great relationships with dealers, distributors, and trailer owners.
Rob Stratton, Sales Account Manager at Equal-i-zer Hitch, celebrates 20 years at the company. Stratton has held many positions at Equal-i-zer Hitch, starting in the shipping department over 20 years ago. He excelled in each position, and eventually joined the sales team, representing the company’s products and educating dealers.
In his role as a sales account manager, Stratton spends a sizable portion of his time supporting distributors and dealers. Stratton invests months of each year traveling to dealerships, ensuring they have the tools, resources, and knowledge to provide the best experience for their customers.
“It’s been a lot of fun to see our award-winning brands become leaders in the marketplace and grow in popularity among RVers,” said Stratton. “It is easy selling such awesome products. We want customers to have an excellent towing experience with our company and products. I am grateful to be part of a great company.”
“I’ve been lucky to work with Rob for 20 years! He is awesome!” said Rich Elliott, VP Sales and Marketing for Equal-i-zer Hitch. “He is hard working, determined, and has an amazing attention to detail. Our customers love Rob’s experience and expertise in the towing category. The best part about Rob is his never-ending energy. Thanks for 20 years!”
When Stratton is on the road, after a long day visiting dealerships, he enjoys taking dealers to a baseball game or a favorite restaurant. He has made lifelong friends and is known to be one of the most educated and supportive sales managers in the industry. When Stratton is not in a dealership, he can be found on his bike, training for an upcoming race. As an athlete and accomplished cyclist, Stratton enjoys competing in events such as LoToJa, the nation’s premier amateur cycling race, testing one’s physical and mental stamina.
About the Original Equal-i-zer Sway Control Hitch
The Original Equal-i-zer Sway Control Hitch has kept families safe on the road for more than 75 years. Manufactured from 100% American-made steel, it is the only hitch with Integrated 4-Point Sway Control. The result is superior sway control performance, excellent weight distribution, exceptional quality, and ease of use. Towing with America’s Favorite Hitch gives you confidence, peace of mind, and the best protection for your journey.
About Dexter
Equal-i-zer Hitch is owned by Dexter, which was founded in Elkhart, Indiana, by Leonard Dexter in 1960. Dexter is the premier supplier of axles, brakes, doors, venting products, and related components in the utility trailer, RV, heavy duty, recreational boating, and manufactured housing markets. Over six decades later, Dexter is recognized as a progressive industry leader with nationwide availability and an international distribution network.
MIDDLEBURY, Ind. – Jayco Family of Companies, a leader in the recreational vehicle industry, announces the successful completion of Phase 1 of its energy management strategy, achieving substantial reductions in energy waste and costs. This milestone, accomplished in collaboration with Tactical Energy Group (TEG) and stewarded by an intercompany Energy Team, reflects Jayco’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.
Since launching the initiative in June 2021, Jayco has implemented cutting-edge energy solutions at its Middlebury campus, including the installation of a 1-megawatt solar system, a comprehensive LED lighting retrofit, and the integration of the Virtual Energy Manager (VEM) system. These efforts have delivered substantial results:
50% reduction in energy waste
23% reduction in total kilowatt hours
27% year-over-year decrease in energy use
Scott Myers
“The partnership with Tactical Energy Group and the implementation of our Virtual Energy Manager system has provided real-time insights into energy use and impacts across our facilities,” stated Scott Myers, Facilities Director at Jayco. “It has revealed new methods to reduce costs and optimize operations. None of these achievements would have been possible without our most powerful tool—our people.”
Phase 2 of the initiative now focuses on improving grid efficiency (load factor), ensuring Jayco continues to reduce energy costs and consumption while optimizing energy use.
“We’re honored to partner with Jayco on this journey,” said Daniel Burke, Co-Founder & CEO of Tactical Energy Group. “Their commitment to innovation and sustainability is setting a new standard in the RV industry.”
AI Experience
