Campground Success - More about your contributors' industry credentials.

Campground Success - Proven Strategies to Grow Your Business

David Gorin is the principal of David Gorin & Associates, a full service consulting company exclusively serving investors, developers, buyers, and owners of RV parks & campgrounds. The firm was founded in 2002 and has served over 125 clients. The firm has special expertise in assessing feasibility of new projects and major renovations and upgrades, assisting in the development of condominium RV parks, and developing business plans for new and on-going RV park and campground operations.

Mr. Gorin is also the President of Best Parks in America, a network of independent premium RV parks.

Mr. Gorin is the managing partner of Holiday Cove RV Resort, Cortez, FL. Purchased in September 2007, the resort has been totally renovated and is now operating as both a rental and condominium RV resort.

Mr. Gorin was the President and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds from 1987 to 2001. Among the major accomplishments under his leadership, the association created Go Camping America, founded the School of RV Park and Campground Management, developed the CPO curriculum and model still in use today, established the ARVC Foundation, and created the Council of Delegates and the Business Forum.

Contact David or visit him online at:
david@davidgorinassociates.com
http://campgroundbusiness.com
http://www.bestparksinamerica.com
http://holidaycoverv.com

Deb Kohls has over 20 years’ experience with technology companies such as Digital Equipment and EDS in the areas of hardware, network, software and services. As a Sales Executive, she has developed and managed large customer accounts such as Apple Computer, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, and Washington Mutual. She has also been responsible for developing strategic alliances with Sun Microsystems, Accenture, and Netscape. Her management of key accounts and partner business strategies has driven increased revenues for both business partners. Her commitment to solve customer and partner business problems with cost-effective technology solutions has led to client retention in competitive situations.

At Leisure Interactive, she has been responsible for overseeing the marketing, sales and customer support. She was recently named Sr. Vice President of Leisure Holding, the parent company of Leisure Interactive, RVSales.com and Camping.com. Her responsibilities include the expansion of the organization’s Strategic Alliance and Affiliate Network program which include GoCampingAmerica.com, FMCA, El Monte RV, Cruise America and Onan’s consumer website, FunRoads.com. As part of the executive team at Leisure Interactive, she is involved in the strategic planning of future Internet offerings and services. Recently she participated in the development of the CampingAd network, an Internet advertising platform for the industry to cross sell one another’s products and services. She is committed to applying technology to solve customer problems, create efficiencies and assuring client satisfaction.

Deb is a graduate of National University, San Diego with a BA-Business Administration. She currently serves on the Camp California Marketing Board of Directors (a wholly owned subsidiary of the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds). She lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband, Mark, their cocker spaniel, KC, and in their spare time, they enjoy gourmet cooking, and spending time with friends!

Visit Deb’s websites at:
http://www.leisureholding.com
http://www.herculesfrontoffice.com
http://www.friendcommunications.com

Bob MacKinnon is the Principal of MacKinnon Campground Consulting and provides extensive services for park buyers and developers, as well as existing park owners. He produces operational evaluations, develops marketing plans, analyzes project feasibility, designs park layouts and amenities, and develops comprehensive strategic business plans. He brings value to his clients’ endeavors through individualized solutions that meet their specific needs and increase the long-term value of their investments.

Bob is a Lifetime Certified Park Operator (CPO) and nationally recognized expert in the RV Park and Campground Industry. Additionally, he has acquired extensive leadership experience in the Hospitality Industry as evidenced by a 30-year career with the Walt Disney Company that included various management assignments in both California and Florida. He specialized in Resort Management and Marketing, Human Resources, and Theme Park Operations, and he has acquired extensive hands-on experience in planning, opening, and operating new projects. Additionally, Bob served as regional Vice President for National Home Communities (Encore) and was responsible for acquiring and managing their California RV Resorts.

Bob’s hospitality experience and his understanding of the power of using guest feedback to improve a business’ bottom line led him to found GuestReviews, an online guest review and satisfaction survey system focused on the RV Park & Campground Industry.

Bob has supported the industry as a volunteer through involvement with many organizations such as the National RV Park Institute and the National School of RV Park & Campground Management, and has served on the Boards of Directors for the California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, the National Foundation for RVing and Camping, and the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds.

Contact Bob or visit him online at:
bob@campgroundconsulting.com
http://www.campgroundconsulting.com
http://www.guestreviews.com

Peter Pelland is the founder and owner of Pelland Advertising and several subsidiary ventures. Peter was born into a small business environment, and the needs and interests of small businesses have been in his blood for a lifetime. His first entrepreneurial ventures developed while still in grade school and expanded into profitable ventures in high school and college. After stints working in various advertising and marketing capacities (including newspapers, a city magazine, radio, and a year as a corporate marketing director), Peter founded Pelland Advertising in 1980. From the start, Pelland Advertising has served the family camping industry.

Until the mid-1990’s, Pelland Advertising’s primary concentration was the production and printing of four-color process collateral advertising. Since some point in 1997, the company (which had already gone all digital in its print advertising production) expanded into a second major area of concentration: Website development and hosting services. From Day 1, Pelland Advertising has been committed to serving the needs of family campgrounds and related small businesses, a determination which has grown all the more essential in this age of increasing threats to the health and survival of small firms in the shadow of Wal-Mart. If you are determined to see your business succeed in today’s competitive environment, Peter is determined to be an essential ingredient that will help to insure that success. His company’s clients include 200 of the leading campgrounds throughout the United States, with a concentration in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States. Pelland Advertising is also the designated website hosting services provider for the Northeast Campground Association, the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association, and the Maryland Association of Campgrounds, in addition to National ARVC’s National School of RV Park & Campground Management website.

Peter is frequently called upon to share his expertise on any of a wide range of Internet-related and marketing issues. His hands-on approach presents a motivational and instructional message which participants can immediately apply to their individual businesses and personal lifestyles. Programs range from brief keynote addresses to 1-2 hour seminars to multi-week classroom sessions. Recent speaking engagements have included the National ARVC InSites National Conventions, the Northeast Campground Association’s Northeast Conference On Camping, and the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association’s Annual Convention. He is also a frequent contributor to various industry publications, including work which has appeared in the ARVC Report, Northeast In-Sites, and Woodall’s Campground Management. Visit Peter’s website, blog, and LinkedIn profile at:
https://pelland.com
http://blog.pelland.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/pelland

Evanne Schmarder is the owner of Roadabode Productions, outdoor hospitality communication consultants specializing in social media consultation, seminar facilitation and educational presentations, SEO copywriting, business writing services, newsletter production, and public relations. She also produces and hosts the RV Cooking Show.

Evanne is a full time RVer and has been “on the road” since 2000. This opportunity provides her realistic exposure to what’s new, happening, desirable, and lacking in the campground industry from the camper’s point of view. Real life research. As a marketer, Evanne puts her observations to practical use. Partnering with her clients, Evanne provides insight and helps shape their message into a well received, even anticipated communication.

Her nationwide client list boasts such industry leaders as ARVC (as the editor of the ARVC Report), GoCampingAmerica.com, Woodall’s Campground Management, Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort, and Best Parks in America. She also pens the Woodall’s Marketing e-Toolbox, delivering practical marketing techniques to help owners and operators sustain and grow their business.

Her products range from online media, columns, publications, public speaking events, guest to staff to organizational pieces, and RV cooking shows and her work has been read and watched by literally thousands of campground owners and campers throughout the country.

“Communicating your message, building relationships, and creating value for your customers are critical to your success. Our industry is evolving daily and so are effective marketing methods. Today more than ever, understanding not only your customer’s needs and wants but establishing a “personal” connection and finding ways to deliver bang for their buck is key to driving your business success,” remarked Evanne.

Contact Evanne at evanne@roadabode.com or 702-460-9863 or visit her online at:
http://www.roadabode.com or http://www.RVCookingShow.com.

C. David Strait, proprietor of Strait Answers Marketing Communications, has decades of experience as a Marketing Consultant specializing in the outdoor hospitality industry in California. He provides busy RV park owners with an independent, experienced and pragmatic consulting resource. Strait Answers’ ad campaigns have been held up by industry leaders in educational seminars as an example of clear and effective design and destination branding.

As an Independent Analyst of campground directory products, Strait Answers offers proprietary analytical tools and statistical analysis to aid campgrounds in planning and executing better marketing communications. Clients enjoy a high level of confidence in their advertising message and ad spending choices. Strait Answers also creates strategic marketing plans, RV club promotion programs, and offers full display ad design services.

In addition Strait Answers operates a 250 location California-wide brochure and literature display service named RV Trav’lin Brochure Displays. This is the only RV consumer oriented brochure service, exclusively for RV camping destinations. Strait Answers also designs and produces brochures and printed materials, and acts as a representative of RV Journal magazine.

Prior to starting Strait Answers in 1995, David was Director of Marketing for DeAnza Bay Resorts; overseeing a combined advertising budget of more than $300,000 for two campgrounds, a golf course and a restaurant. Before that he was the San Diego regional Marketing Manager for Hornblower Dining Yachts of California — where he worked in sales and marketing for 8 years. Earlier, he served 8 years in various sales positions in the tour boat business at the Red & White Fleet of San Francisco. David is also a U.S. Coast Guard licensed tour boat captain.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1977. His post graduate education in business, marketing, economics, and accounting was also through UC Berkeley. David is married with two wonderful children and lives in Antioch, California. Visit David’s website at:
http://www.straitanswers.com

Our Guest Contributors

Lucas Hartford, is the President of Evergreen MGA, a company that provides insurance to campgrounds and RV parks throughout the United States.

The Evergreen program was started over thirty-five years ago by Lucas’ father, Richard Hartford, with a mission to provide long-term, stable insurance solutions to the outdoor recreation industry. In 1998, Lucas took over the leadership of the Evergreen program with the same vision of providing long-term, stable insurance solutions.

Lucas has been recognized as expert in the insurance industry, having obtained the designation of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and having designations in underwriting, reinsurance, risk management, and insurance services. While Lucas sells and services property and liability insurance, he is also licensed in life, health, annuities, and other investment products – allowing him to serve his clients better.

Amongst other non-profit boards Lucas is proud to have been a previous board member of the Maine Campground Owners Association. As an insurer of only campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts, Lucas has spoken on insurance topics before National ARVC, the Northeast Campground Association, and various state campground associations.

Contact Lucas or visit him online at:
lucas@evergreenusa.com
http://www.evergreenusa.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lucashartford