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.

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

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.

EPHRATA, Wash.-- Pacific Springs RV Resort is pleased to announce that it has been renovated to offer better accommodations and more advanced technology for valued guests.

Pacific Springs RV Resort’s goal is to provide a calm, quiet, comfortable atmosphere in gorgeous Eastern Washington while allowing guests to take advantage of all the amenities the 21st century has to offer. This includes: Direct TV, Internet access (WiFi), 20/30/50 AMP full-service hookups for RVs, and much more.

To allow for easy booking, Pacific Springs RV Resort now offers online reservations via the company website. RV enthusiasts can quickly and easily make reservations on the go, then spend more time enjoying the trip ahead.

Aside from upgrading the technology at Pacific Springs RV Resort, a variety of other renovations have been made. A new gym has been added with free weights and cardio machines along with 5 brand new, fully furnished trailers. Additionally, 10 furnished cabins and suites with central AC/heat have been renovated.

Pacific Springs RV Resort retains many of its original features, including: 73 RV sites, tent camp sites with fire pits, a heated swimming pool, driving range for golf enthusiasts, and a basketball/tennis court.

Many guests that visit Pacific Springs RV Resort are vacationers moving across Washington or the Northwest, and are either traveling to or coming from other cities in the area. These include: Coulee City, Ellensburg, Everett, George, East Wenatchee, Kennewick, Marysville, Moses Lake, Pasco, Pullman, Quincy, Richland, Seattle, Soap Lake, Spokane, Tacoma, and Wenatchee. There are also many guests that come to Pacific Springs RV Resort as their final destination.

For more information on Pacific Springs RV Resort, please feel free to call 1-800-422-8447, 1-509-787-1062, or visit the company website: www.pacificspringsrvresort.com

About Pacific Springs RV Resort:
Located in beautiful Ephrata, Washington, Pacific Springs RV Resort is a Washington RV park and campground that offers a variety of accommodations for vacationers and RV enthusiasts employed at local companies. Pacific Springs RV Resort prides itself in excellent customer service matched with well-kept grounds.

VENTURA, Calif.-- Trailer Life Directory and Woodall Publications (of the Good Sam family) have announced that they will be uniting to form a single "Super Directory" North American print edition in 2013.

On announcing the merger Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Good Sam Enterprises, said, "The consolidation of the two directories into one 'Super Directory' will provide our customers with a single source for their RVing and camping travel planning. The coming together of these two brands enables us to serve as more than a directory, and will represent an 'everything RV guide' for the consumer to be inspired to fully explore the RV lifestyle across North America."

"This merger will also allow us to drive more business to our RV park and campground advertisers and to our network of Good Sam Parks," continued Lemonis. "We know that our success is predicated on the success of our customers, and combining the strength of the industry's two leading directory brands is just one way in which we can ensure we are serving the needs of our campground, RV park and resort customers. Advertisers have asked us to consider a unified directory so that they can focus their marketing spend in one powerful vehicle. Thus we made this decision with our park and campground partners very much in mind, to provide them one 'super directory' which will be the ultimate marketing showcase for them."

Beginning with the 2013 edition, a new Campground Directory under the Good Sam brand will emerge from the best of both Woodall's and Trailer Life Directories, representing nearly 130 years of combined industry service and campground expertise. This new directory will offer higher circulation and even more online and mobile application marketing opportunities to campgrounds and parks. This combined directory will utilize the Trailer Life 10/10*/10 rating system, with some enhancements borrowed from the Woodall's rating system. The ratings as always will be based on personal visits by directory representatives.

Editor's Note: This will reduce the number of major Campground Directories to Wheelers RV Resort and Campground Directory and the Good Sam Directory.

DES MOINES, Iowa - The new owners at Des Moines West KOA Campground & RV Park, Chris & Jamie Rademacher, are excited to announce that the new improvements they made this year didn't go unnoticed by Woodall's, Trailer Life, KOA, or their campers.

After purchasing the RV Park at the beginning of 2011, their first goal was to add recreational activities for families and pets that campers have come to expect while camping. They heard phenomenal feedback from their campers after adding two horseshoe courts, two ladder ball courts, a 5,500 sq. ft. dog park, a volleyball court, and organized activities for the kids and adults every weekend, including holiday celebrations, themed weekends and wine tastings.

A recent guest shared on TripAdvisor.com, "This past weekend my family and I had the privilege of staying in a Deluxe Cabin (Lodge) at the Des Moines West KOA. The Deluxe Cabin and campground met and exceeded our expectations. The Deluxe Cabin was a home away from home. Very cozy fully equipped with all the comforts needed to make our stay relaxing and stress free. Our kids were entertained and loved the crafts and scavenger hunt. An added bonus for the adults was the evening weekend wine tasting featuring favorites from local wineries. This KOA campground is very family friendly with friendly and personable management and staff. I highly recommend this campground for your next camping trip."

The improvements did not go unnoticed from the most recognized publications within the industry, as well:

Woodall's Directory - Facilities/4W & Recreation/5W Trailer Life Directory - Facilities/8.5, Restrooms/9.5*, Appeal/8.5

And they were recently recognized at KOA's National Convention in Las Vegas, with the 2011 President's Award, for quality and service excellence.

In addition to the recent upgrades, they have 100% big rig friendly full hookup pull thru RV sites, Camping Cabins, Heated Swimming Pool, Deluxe Cabins (Lodges) with full bathrooms & kitchenettes, Fishing Pond, Playground, Basketball Court, and plenty of green space for kids and pets.

The Rademachers are looking forward to their second season, re-opening on April 1st. To show their appreciation and provide savings to their most frequent campers, Des Moines West KOA Campground & RV Park has developed a new Frequent Camper Rewards Card with a free night on their 3rd stay and a free weekend on their 6th. They anticipate several exciting new upgrades next year as well, including Hunt Brother's Pizza and Bicycle Rentals.

For more information on the Des Moines West KOA Campground & RV Park, or to reserve your first stay for 2012, call 515-834-2729 or visit www.desmoineskoa.com

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. -- The Santa Claus Land of Lights Family Christmas Light Adventure in Santa Claus, Indiana, is currently being constructed and opens for the 2011 season on Thanksgiving night, November 24.

Located inside Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, this custom outdoor light show tells the Shining Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in bright, energy-efficient LED lights. The Santa Claus Land of Lights is the only light show in North America that tells a story in lights and storyboards. At 1.2 miles long, it is also one of the largest holiday light shows in North America.

This will be the third season for the Santa Claus Land of Lights and improvements include the addition of thousands of LED lights, new displays and a free photo with Rudolph per vehicle. Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort will once again partner with McDonald's in the Evansville and Terre Haute, Indiana, areas. Discount coupons ($4 off per vehicle) for the Family Christmas Light Adventure will be offered at 63 McDonald's locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley (RMHC). A complete list of coupon locations may be found at www.SantaClausLandofLights.com.

The Santa Claus Land of Lights will be open from 5:00pm – 9:00pm CST on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from Thanksgiving through December 11. The Santa Claus Land of Lights is open nightly December 16 through January 1 and is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information or to purchase pre-paid express lane passes, visit the website at www.SantaClausLandofLights.com.

The Virginia Campground Association board and members, meeting at Bethpage Camp Resort, Urbanna, Virginia, October 24-26, acted to significantly expand its marketing of member parks by adding two four new shows to its 2012 exhibit schedule. The new shows added to the calendar for a VCA booth are RV shows in Montreal, Canada, Raleigh, North Carolina, the FMCA Rally in Indianapolis, IN, and the Hershey RV Show, Hershey, PA. The association will continue to exhibit at shows in Chantilly, VA (Washington, DC), Richmond, Va, and Timonium, MD and will move its participation from a show in Hampton Roads, VA to a show in Virginia Beach, VA.

The new expanded marketing program will bring the Virginia exhibit booth to a total of 8 shows in 2012. The new program is the result of a partnership with Anderson's Brochure Distribution Service. Anderson's will handle the shipping, set up, stocking and manning of the Virginia both at the eight shows and will also handle distribution at all of the other shows along the east coast that Anderson's attends annually.

"The new partnership with Joe Tice and Anderson's is a big plus for VCA," said President Karl Littman. "We are able to extend our marketing reach in a very cost effective way. The value of the Virginia Campground Directory and the strong attraction of camping in Virginia are proven and this additional presence at the shows is sure to draw more campers to Virginia," said Littman.

In a somewhat historic move, the association elected a number of new board members including Virginia State Parks Director Joe Elton. Six Virginia state parks have become full members of the VCA and National ARVC and each was represented at the VCA Fall Meeting by the park manager or a designee. While there is no specific guarantee of a board seat for a state park representative, the members felt that adding State Parks Director Elton to the board will assure that the new partnership between VCA and the state parks will start off on solid ground. It is expected that during the coming year, the association will work to further expand camping promotion in surrounding states and within Virginia in order to capture a larger share of the region's camping and RVing visitors.

In addition to Elton, other new VCA Board Members include Phil Upton of the Best Holiday Travel Park/Best Parks in America, Virginia Beach; Kim Beveridge, Hidden Acres CG, Bowling Green, VA; and Kathi Martin, Deer Trail Park, Wytheville, VA. Directors continuing in office for the coming year include Karl Littman, Candy Hill CG, Winchester, VA; Kristina Krall, Bethpage Camp Resort/Best Parks in America, Urbanna, VA; Steve Albrecht, Walnut Hills KOA, Staunton, VA; Ray Barker, Tall Pines Harbor, Sanford, VA; Bob Aldrich, Madison KOA/Shenandoah Hills, Madison, VA; Scott Daniels, Cozy Acres CG, Powhatan, VA; Ken Gedicke, Jellystone Park Gloucester Point, VA; and Mike Johncox, Riverside Campground, Lanexa, VA.

Karl Littman was re-elected to a new one year term as VCA President. Serving with Karl will be Vice President Ray Barker, Secretary Kristina Crall, Treasurer Phil Upton, and Board Chairman Steve Albrecht.

In other actions at the annual meeting, the membership discussed adding a Richmond-based lobbyist to assist the association in achieving some legislative and regulatory objectives including addressing inconsistencies in state submetering rules, monitoring and containing increases in state license, permits and other fees, expanding road signage rules and keeping logo sign costs under control, and in working to increase state funding for tourism promotion targeted towards attracting RVers and campers to Virginia. The membership voted to establish a task force to survey all Virginia members for their opinion on engaging a lobbyist and to develop a issues agenda and then to interview candidates for the position.

The meeting seminar program featured two seminars on various operational issues presented by Robert Bouse, Business Development Director for Travel America Resorts, a seminar on developing shoulder and off-peak business presented by Kristina Crall, Director of Operation at host park Bethpage Camp Resort and Brent Crebs, Manager of Bethpage Camp Resort, and a special workshop moderated by Staci Martin, State Park Visitor Experience Manager and David Gorin, VCA Executive Director on public/private promotion and marketing.

Jeff Sims, ARVC Director of Membership and Public Affairs, was a special guest. Jeff delivered a keynote address to the group and also led a seminar on Tips from a Veteran Park Owner.

Fifteen exhibitors participated in the trade show and 22 campgrounds were represented at the meeting. The association's annual auction raised over $4,000 that will help fund the association lobbyist position should the Board determine to move in that direction.

BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif.-- Snowbirds from Canada and the Pacific Northwest love to spend the winter in the desert Southwest.

They like it even more when they find an RV resort like the Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course in Borrego Springs, which features frequent activities, entertainment and upscale amenities, including hot mineral baths and an onsite wellness center. The park is also just minutes from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which offers numerous hiking trails as well as guided nature walks and other outdoor activities.

Spaces at the 90-site Springs at Borrego RV Resort are in such high demand that the resort often fills up and starts a waiting list long before the winter season begins.

But General Manager Daniel Wright has some good news for snowbirds who have yet to obtain a reservation at the resort. While financing remains tight, he recently found a lender willing to finance construction of 53 additional RV sites at the resort.

"Construction is underway now, and we expect to have the new sites available by January 1st," Wright said, adding that the new sites will have 70-foot-long cement slabs, which are long enough for a 40- to 45-foot RV and an extra vehicle of any size.

While the new sites are not expected to be completed until the beginning of January, Wright said the additional spaces will increase the odds for the hundreds of American and Canadian snowbirds that patiently wait for a site to open up at the resort each winter.

"In the past three years, we've had to turn away more than 12,000 nights' worth of business due to a shortage of campsites," Wright said. "Hopefully, this expansion will be able to accommodate some of the additional demand."

Meanwhile, the resort continues to build a loyal following with its increasing variety of activities, entertainment and amenities.

The resort offers classes in water aerobics, Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga in addition to tennis clinics and line dancing. The resort also offers frequent wine tasting social hours as well as monthly "star parties" with world-renowned astronomer and sky photographer Dennis Mammana. The parties include a buffet-style dinner, after which Mammana provides a short lecture and slide show on a particular topic. He then invites the participants to look into the galaxies through telescopes that are set up within walking distance of the park for the convenience of resort guests.

The Springs at Borrego has also opened an onsite wellness center led by Anna Morris, a holistic health practitioner and expert in Ayurvedic massage who trained with Deepak Chopra and Dr. Vasant Lad, two of the nation's premier experts in holistic health medicine.

Morris is joined by Amy Baay, a licensed massage practitioner, and Betty Patterson, a licensed acupuncturist who also does herbal medicine and teaches classes in Qi Gong, an energy building exercise with slow body movements.

Other improvements are also underway, including a new dog park and a traffic security gate. The park's showers are also being remodeled, and the resort just completed construction of two new shower rooms. "We will also be opening a new combination exhibition tennis court and outdoor entertainment venue. It's a sunken bowl with a tennis court in the center and gently sloping sides with grass so we can hold an entertainment function, such as a live music performance for several hundred people," Wright said, adding, "We are also ramping up our entertainment schedule and hope to have live music almost every week during the high season of January through mid-April."

Debbie Sipe, executive director of the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, said The Springs at Borrego exemplifies some of the more innovative activities and amenities available in California's RV resorts. For more information on The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course, please visit www.springsatborrego.com.

For leads on other RV resorts in the Southern California desert and throughout the Golden State, please contact Debbie Sipe at (530) 885-1624 and visit www.camp-california.com.