ELECTION RESULTS
MARVAC is pleased to announce the following officers as elected to the 2012 – 2013 Board of Directors.
ED DOSS – President (Waters RV & Storage Center ’15)
SCOTT DODGE – Vice President (General RV Center ’13)
DAVE ROCHETTE – Secretary (Westland Camping Center, Inc. ’15)
GENE CRONIN, SR. – Treasurer (Forest River Inc.’13)
MARVAC WORKS WITH CONSUMERS ENERGY AND MPSC REGARDING ELECTRICITY RESALE ISSUE
MARVAC Board President Ed Doss, Campground owner and Board member Bob Rohn and MARVAC staff members have been working on an issue regarding the resale of electricity by campground owners to seasonal campers. After two meetings with representatives of Consumers Energy and a meeting with the staff of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) where a “Resale Proposal for Campgrounds” was presented, progress seems to be moving in a positive direction. We heard back from the representative who we have been working with at Consumers Energy on August 6th. He received feedback from the MPSC Staff that they will support the Resale Campground proposal to use an average electric rate for customers who are charged for metered consumption for their electric use at campgrounds. They (MPSC) have requested that Consumers Energy use a rate preapproved by the Commission for this purpose, and that it be made available in their electric tariff book. However, they (MPSC) will not support giving dispensations for bill auditing and meter testing, as they feel that these are important when using metered consumption for billing. Consumers Energy thinks they can propose a more reasonable meter testing plan, but it must remain a requirement for Campground Resale. Auditing on an average rate billing shouldn’t be a problem.
Consumers Energy will plan to make the proposed changes to their Resale tariff in their next electric rate case. Also, the MPSC Staff wanted to be clear that their support does not guarantee that the Commission will adopt this proposal. It would be helpful if after Consumers Energy files the proposal, that our associations and selected members indicate our support by filing letters in the rate case docket. These letters will be made part of the record considered by the Administrative Law Judge and the Commission to make their final decisions.
Consumers Energy’s Rate Administration section will be preparing draft resale tariffs that will be used to make this proposal at the appropriate time. They will provide us notification when their next case has been filed. Bottom line is, if approved, the tariff changes will be a win-win for both our campground owners and the utility company. As we know, Consumers Energy seems to have curtailed any further action against any campground being served by them regarding electric resale.
LIMITED NUMBER OF BOOTHS LEFT FOR THE
FALL DETROIT CAMPER & RV SHOW
There is just five weeks left before the opening day of the Fall Detroit Camper & RV Show and MARVAC members still have an opportunity to see 10,000 RV enthusiasts during the five day show. The show dates are October 3-7 and will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Interested booth exhibitors show contact Darren Ing or Bill Sheffer at the MARVAC association office. Visit the association website for all the current show information. http://www.marvac.org/marvac-rv-shows.html
THANK YOU PAC CONTRIBUTORS!
Major MARVAC and the PAC thank you!
We would like to thank the following companies for their 2012 contribution to the MMH&RVCA Political Action Committee. Our successes are a direct result of our ability to be politically active in Lansing and your support has helped our industry gain visibility.
American RV Sales & Service……………… Grand Rapids, MI
Barrett & Associates…………………………. Bloomfield Hills, MI
Beaver Trail Campground……………………. West Branch, MI
Caswell RV……………………………………… Ionia, MI
General RV Center……………………………. Wixom, MI
Haylett Auto & RV……………………………. Coldwater, MI
Indigo Bluffs RV Resort……………………… Commerce Twp, MI
International RV World………………………. Bay City, MI
Lake of Dreams Campground………………. Merrill, MI
Leidy Lake Campground…………………….. Burr Oak, MI
Leisure Lake Family Campground………… Sumner, MI
River View Campground…………………….. Sterling, MI
Totem Pole Park……………………………… Petersburg, MI
Vacation Trailer Park………………………… Benzonia, MI
Waters RV & Storage Center……………… Waters, MI
These funds are used to elect candidates who will support your right to do business in Michigan. Legislators make decisions every day that directly affect you and your business. MMH&RVCA PAC is an invaluable vehicle through which your industry’s voice is heard. The recreation vehicle and campground industry has made great progress because of our strength in Michigan’s political arena. We look forward to even more progress with your help.
We need to provide PAC resources more now than ever to keep our presence in Lansing strong. Let’s keep our political momentum going…THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR PAC!
MARVAC MEMBERS RECOGNIZED BY AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Congratulations to Bill and Betty Workman of Vacation Trailer Park!
Click the link below to read this Benzie County Chamber of Commerce Press Release…
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/PRESS-RELEASE—2012-Outstanding-Business-of-the-Year.html?soid=1102868058189&aid=yIt2eT5fhVo
WELCOME NEW MARVAC MEMBERS!
Mrs. Stephanie Martin
Carefree RV Resorts
NOW SELLING RV & CAMPSITE ADS
Don’t miss this opportunity to reach over 100,000 campers and RVers! For 22 years, RV & Campsite has been Michigan’s most comprehensive guide for campers and RVers. As many of you know, consumers actively look for RV & Campsite at Michigan Welcome Centers, MARVAC’s camper & RV shows, and in many of your business locations. Stand out from your competition by purchasing a full-color ad in the 2013 issue. Rates start at just $370.
MARVAC’s official consumer publication, RV & Campsite is the only publication focusing exclusively on camping and RVing in Michigan. Consumers will learn about the camping and RVing lifestyle, as well as some places to visit in Michigan. Readers will also enjoy the consumer-friendly directory, complete with maps and amenities tables.
Don’t delay, prime positions will go fast! Click here for rates (link to:http://www.marvac.org/members/downloads/2012-rv-and-campsite-rate-card.pdf), or contact Kim Amesbury (link to:kamesbury@comcast.net), 616.291.1008 and reserve your ad today!
Mark Your Calendar
2012 – 2013 MMHA Board Meeting Schedule
October 16, 2012 – Association Office (Okemos)
January 15, 2013 – Association Office (Okemos)
February 26, 2013 – Association Office (Okemos)
April 23, 2013 – Association Office (Okemos)
June 18, 2013 – Association Office (Okemos)
This Fall plan to attend the always exciting Detroit Camper & RV Show in Novi, this October 3rd – 7th.
NEWS FROM THE RV/MH HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The RV/MH Heritage Foundation (Foundation) is now doing business as the Northern Indiana Event Center, as well as the RV/MH Hall of Fame, according to Darryl Searer, the Foundation’s president. The Foundation will be naming the south entrance of its complex east of Elkhart as the Northern Indiana Event Center.
Searer explained, “There was some confusion as where to enter the event center when organizations and groups rented the facilities for shows, group meetings and events such as company parties, etc.”
Searer also announced that the Foundation has hired Stacey Walworth as event sales/marketing manager for the Event Center. Her primary role will be to identify potential customers for the Event Center and to solicit their business.
Walworth, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 2008 from Grand Valley State University, brings to the Foundation credentials in event planning and management for nonprofit organizations. Prior to moving to Elkhart, her most recent position was marketing and development associate and event planner for the Grand Rapids Ballet Co. in Grand Rapids, Mich. Walworth assumes her new position on Sept. 10.
“With the reduction of available event space in the Michiana area, where many area events were hosted, our opportunity for new business has dramatically increased and will give Stacey a fertile field to cultivate and bring more events to our facility.”
The Event Center is versatile and can accommodate groups as small as 10 or 15 in private rooms to as many as 2,100 in theater-style seating or a sit-down banquet for up to 1,000 guests in Ingram Hall, according to Searer.
“The Event Center is an important segment to our mission and our financial stability. We believe the addition of Stacey Walworth and the naming of the south entrance as the Northern Indiana Event Center are major steps forward in our goal of making the complex the premier location for events in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.”
RV HISTORIAN ART HESSELBART TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT RV SHOW IN CHINA
ELKHART, Ind. — Al Hesselbart, RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum historian, curator and librarian, has been invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the 1st National China RV Show in China. The event will be held at the Xiedao Resort in Beijing from September 12 through September 16, 2012.
The show is sponsored by the FICC Asia-Pacific Commission, the China Tourism Automobile and Cruise Association, and the China Tourist Attractions Association.
According to Hesselbart, he was contacted by RVIA General Counsel Craig Kirby in June and asked whether or not he would consider being a guest speaker at a large RV show in Beijing. Several Chinese business people who are sponsoring the event had contacted RVIA about providing a speaker on the evolution of the RV Industry in the United States.
Hesselbart said, “When I accepted, I was contacted by Ed Han, director of the RVIA Asia Project, who put me in contact with the show staff in China.”
Hesselbart intends to present an illustrated lecture on the evolution of the U.S. RV industry through its first 100 years. Hesselbart said, “I hope to amaze, educate, and entertain the Chinese audience on the rich and varied history of industry products.”
Besides his duties at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, Hesselbart is a frequent speaker at RV rallies and events across the United States. This trip to China will not be his first. In 2010 he was one of four U.S. representatives who participated in the 3rd Annual Hangzhou China Outdoor Lifestyle Show in support of the growing Chinese RV industry.
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING TO OUR MEMBERS?
Would you like to help sponsor future Industry Insights issues?
We are currently selling advertising space in the form of a ,”cube ad.”
Industry Insights are published a minimum of once per month and reach almost 300 members!
Please call the Association Office and ask Brandy for more information!
INFORMATION CHANGES
Have you changed email addresses, phone numbers, had a staff or contact change? Please keep us in the loop so we can make our records are current. Send Brandy a quick email to keep your record current. You and your staff wouldn’t want to miss out on important industry news, would you?
RECRUIT A NEW MEMBER!
As a member, you understand the value of MARVAC membership. Spread the word with your contacts and peers in the industry, and help expand our association. A growing MARVAC means greater recognition for the industry, more resources to support member programs, and a stronger voice when advocating issues with state and national legislative members. Click here to download a membership application.
