CONY Newsletter Apr May 2011 by Donald G Bennett Jr

Volume 34, Issue 2 Apr / May 2011 In this issue: Chairman’s Report 2

has an ber e J k! em Loo ndy m you o ha her der. D rs? n i b you use

Zone Meeting attendees learn a lot of information This Zone Meeting Summary was submitted by Region 10 Director Kimbery Foro, and itemizes the topics and information that were presented at the Zone Meeting held in Lake George, NY:

President/CEO’s Report

Marketing and Communications:

QR Codes

- Consumer confidence is upbeat with intent to travel in 2011

Don’t Move the Firewood

- Some concern has been expressed regarding rising gas prices

Labor Law Update

- To date, more than 46,000 directories have been distributed - CONY has 308 fans on Facebook

ADA Information

- Go Camping America has 2677 fans - ARVC has 582 fans - CONY has 329 followers on Twitter

Our VISION: Campground Owners of New York (CONY) will be the model campground association by providing professionalism and diversity in our programs, education, services, advocacy and support for continued growth and collaboration within the outdoor hospitality industry.

Our MISSION: Campground Owners of New York (CONY) is an association dedicated to the promotion, growth, improvement and development of privately owned campgrounds in New York State.

nycampgrounds.com campcony.com

Guy Gagnon of Evergreen USA RRG, Inc. chats with Charles and Jean Zahara of Cliff & Ed’s Campground, at the Kingston area Zone Meeting on March 27th. Evergreen was a generous underwriter of the campground lunches at all the Zone Meetings!

- CONY sends 10 E-Newsletters each year

form provided in member packets

Upcoming Marketing/Communication Work

NCA Update

- To develop an updated Long Range CONY - This year’s conference was held in SturMarketing Plan bridge, MA; Gregg and Kelly Nichols from Lake - Research & development of a CONY plastic Bluff Campground were CONY representatives bag co-op ad program / marketing opportuni- - Trade show was busy and well attended; atties tendance overall was up this year - 2012 CONY Directory Cover Contest National Get Outdoors Day – June 11, 2011

- 2012 Conference will be March 22nd – 24th; contact Cyndy Zbierski at (860) 684-6398 or cyndy@campnca.org

- A national day to promote getting people in- CONY will be in co-op ad in Camping Life terested in a healthy outdoor lifestyle - Can incorporate CONY’s geocaching program - CONY will be in co-op booth in Tampa Show

and Camp 2 Nights Get 1 Night Free promo- - 10,000 complimentary rack cards to be tions printed - Do your own special event on June 11th, i.e.  open house activities

NCA Great Escape will be held at Timber Creek RV Resort in Westerly, RI on September 13-14, 2011

- The average camper nationwide is 54 years of age; in New York State, the average age is Membership 51 years - 2011 membership is currently around 200 - Go to www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org for (On the Road continued on page 8) more information about GO Day, or submit the

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Chairman’s Report are very pleased with the attendance. If you were at one of the meeting thank you for your participation. If you were not able to attend you missed a lot of great information and networking, as well as some quality vendor time. For those of you that saw me during Zone meeting week you know I have been on crutches since February and will be probably until late April. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Don, Suzanne, Rosemary, and Matt for all their help. I don’t know if you have traveled (with luggage) or ate at a buffet on crutches but it requires help from others to carry things for you. The group was very helpful to me and I want to extend a sincere thank you! Without their help I would not have been able to attend the Zone Meetings.

Greetings CONY members,

Scott Sherwood

As of this writing Spring is well under way even though some of our parks in the Northern part of the State are still covered in snow and the rest of us can’t seem to shake the persistent snow showers. I am confident winter will indeed end soon (I hope).

The last week in March myself, the CONY office staff of Don Bennett, Suzanne Bixby, and Tracy Adedeji, Region 3 Directory Rosemary Curtis (Convention Chairperson), and Matt Mitchell (Corporate Communications) traveled the state putting on the 2011 CONY Spring Zone Meetings. We

The feeling for the upcoming season is very positive. All of (Chairman’s Report continued on page 13)

From the Desk of the President and CEO tive and very productive. They are Scott Sherwood our Chairman, Rosemary Curtis our Conference Coordinator, Suzanne Bixby our Marketing and Communications Director, and Traci Adedeji our Executive Assistant. Special thanks to Matt Mitchell, VP at Corporate Communications, for providing a great seminar on website statistics. I also want to thank Matt for his presentation on our new online reservation system. We had a very full agenda covering marketing updates, a great trade show, operational updates and legislative updates. Much ground was covered and I want to thank the members that attended. CONY zone meetings have been happening for over 20 years and when I attend national meetings with other association leaders they constantly ask about our zone meetings and how they operate. The zone meetings are definitely something that sets us apart from many other state organizations. I also want to take this opportunity to again thank Lucas Hartford and Guy Gagnon of Evergreen USA RRG who paid for lunch for ALL of the 2011 campground zone meeting attendees. Thanks so much Guy, Lucas, and Evergreen.

The 2011 Camping Season has begun whether we are ready for it or not. Unfortunately with the amount of water that has fallen from the sky no one can be ready for all of the rain. Not only are many parks beyond wet some have been devastated with flood waters. I am hoping that Donald G. Bennett, Jr. we will be able to dry out now and enjoy a great 2011 camping season. By all reports that I have received most advance reservations seem to be strong and if this trend continues 2011 could be a banner year for many. The spring has been a whirlwind of activity for CONY. Upon the conclusion of the 2011 show program almost fifty thousand CONY directories and thousands of member brochures have been distributed to eager campers all over the northeast United States and Canada. I want to thank Suzanne Bixby, Traci Adedeji, Bill Perry, Rosemary Curtis, Dr. Nak Shim and many other volunteers who have helped get our directory in the hands of the camping public. Your tireless efforts benefit all CONY members.

If you were at the zone meeting you heard the energetic presentation by Rosemary Curtis on all that is planned for the upcoming 48th Annual CONY Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry (formerly known as the Conference and Trade show). This year will find the Exposition taking place in the beautiful Niagara Falls area. Many great activities,

Our 2011 CONY zone meetings were a great success. Over the four meetings about 100 campgrounds were represented and we were able to visit with many vendors. I can’t thank our traveling team enough for their hard work and dedication to insure that the meetings would be informa-

(President and CEO Report continued on page 15)

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Salvatore Bonetti, CRPS速 Financial Advisor 100 Middle Street, East Tower Portland, Maine 04101 800-326-5763 Salvatore.Bonetti@MSSB.com

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Quality Sunrooms, Awnings & Enclosures

H. Peter Burkert Senior Vice President

Silver-Top Manufacturing Co., Inc. PO Box 225, White Marsh, MD 21162-0225 Toll Free: (800) 638-6960 Local: (410) 335-5500

www.silver-top.com

Fax: (410) 335-664

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QR Codes are Easy and Here to Stay! By Wayne Hale, Jr., Director Orleans County Planning Department Even though I own a Blackberry and a Kindle, I consider myself to be techno-deficient, and I confess my ignorance of most things digital. I wouldn’t know an RSS Feed from a Tweet – seriously. Sure, I can text message when I have to, but with great pain and deliberation; I didn’t know what an ‘app’ was until I got the Blackberry last year; and I abhor Facebook as insidious and a complete waste of time. Recently, though, and without warning, I developed a flicker of interest in QR (Quick Response) Codes. I’d heard about them months ago at a meeting in Rochester, but at the time I brushed it aside as a trivial and surely short-lived pursuit for the geeks to fiddle with. I believe now they could have important and long-lasting tourism potential as mobile phone technology embraces them.

Gary Hill, a representative from Orleans County, demonstrates QR codes at the 28th annual garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Adventure Show.

to be infinite uses for the tourism industry with the application of a little creativity.

You’ve seen QR Codes on shipping packages, apparently as a tracking system, and in big box retail stores, but now they’re showing up on billboards, banners and in print ads. Smartphone users can download a reader app and scan the code to reveal a trove of information. At a recent outdoor show I displayed one at our booth and linked it to our sport fishing video on YouTube. Over twenty attendees stopped by to try it out.

The appeal of QR Codes for someone like me, with a poverty of knowledge about the wired world, is their simplicity. They can be created within seconds via a number of Web sites at no cost. It’s estimated that at present 25–33 percent of the population owns a smartphone. This percentage will only increase and the QR Code will become commonplace.

The one on the back of my business card links to our Web site. We’ll begin placing them in our print ads this year, in effect, expanding our ad space instantly. There would seem

Reprinted with permission of author. First published in the February 2011 edition of the “TPA Times.”

Keep Promoting “Don’t Move the Firewood” http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/28722.html. This webpage clearly describes the Firewood regulation and has a link to the actual regulation. Emily recommends campgrounds link to this webpage from their own sites.

Continue to remind your patrons about the dangers of invasive species on our trees! Emily Kurth at the New York State DEC has recently emailed to CONY links and notes that may be helpful in your efforts to remind campers about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to buying and using firewood in your parks. Here are some links to materials you might consider including in your reservation pages, or printing to mail to your campers before they arrive:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html This is the general Emerald Ash borer webpage from DEC. It has updated information about current infestations found in NY. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/47761.html This page explains the current Emerald Ash Borer quarantine in NY.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48199.html This webpage has all of DEC's press releases and outreach materials relating to Emerald Ash Borer, and Don't Move Firewood. Print out the posters from this page. DEC can provide large quantities of the Firewood Warning for free to any campgrounds who would like them.

Some other useful non-DEC websites : http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ http://www.beetlebusters.info/ http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/ 5

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Seven Reasons Print Will Make a Comeback in 2011 By Joe Pulizzi, Founder, Junta42.com Reprinted with author permission from Foliomag.com, August 2010.

So, let's say, a publisher's cost per subscriber per year is $2 and their distribution is one hundred thousand. That's $200,000 per year for audience development.

Okay...there, I said it.

That's a cost that marketers don't have to worry about. If marketers want to distribute a magazine to their customers, they just use their customer mailing list. That's a big advantage.

You'll find no greater supporter of online content marketing than me, but marketers and agencies are talking up print for 2011. Yes, in the era of iPads and Apps, there is still a role for print.

4. What's Old Is New Again: Social media, online content and iPad applications are all part of the marketing mix today. Still, what excites marketers and media buyers is what IS NOT being done. They want to do something different...something new. It's hard to believe, but I've heard many marketers talk about leveraging print as something new in their marketing mix. Unbelievable.

Jeff Jarvis recently wrote about how media companies need to ignore print. "The physical costs of production and distribution are killing. The marketing cost of subscriber acquisition and churn are hellish." He's right. And if you are a media company that relies on most of your revenue for print, you need to post Jeff's article on your forehead.

5. Customers Still Need to Ask Questions: We love the Internet because buyers can find answers to almost anything. But where do we go to think about what questions we should be asking? I talked to a publisher last week who said this:

But if you are a corporate marketer, there is an opportunity here. Here's why:

"The web is where we go to get answers but print is where we go to ask questions."

1. Getting Attention: Have you noticed how many fewer magazines and print newsletters you are getting in the mail these days? I don't know about you, but I definitely pay more attention to my print mail. There's just less mail, so more attention is paid to each piece. Opportunity? Less traditional publishers are printing magazines today, which leaves opportunities for content marketers.

The print vehicle is still the best medium on the planet for thinking outside the box and asking yourself tough questions based on what you read. It's lean back versus lean forward. If you want to challenge your customers (like Harvard Business Review does), print is a viable option.

2. The Focus on Customer Retention: In a soon-to-bereleased research study conducted by Junta42 and MarketingProfs, customer retention was the most important goal for marketers when it came to content marketing outside of basic brand awareness. Historically, the reason why custom print magazines and newsletters were developed by brands was for customer retention purposes. We have a winner!

6. Print Still Excites People: I talked to a journalist recently who said it's harder and harder to get people to agree to an interview for an online story. But mention that it will be a printed feature and executives rearrange their schedule. The printed word is still perceived as more credible to many people than anything on the web. It goes to the old adage, "If someone invested enough to print and mail it, it must be important."

3. No Audience Development Costs: Publishers expend huge amounts of time and money qualifying subscribers to send out their magazines. Many times, publishers need to invest multiple dollars per subscriber per year for auditing purposes (They send direct mail, they call, they call again so that the magazine can say they that their subscribers have requested the magazine. This is true for controlled (free) trade magazines).

Whether that's true or not, that is still a widely-held perception. 7. Unplug: More and more people are actively choosing the unplug, or disconnect themselves from digital media. I'm doing this more myself. I'm finding myself turning off my phone and email more to engage with printed material. A (Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Report continued on page 7)

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Changes in the Labor Law: Wage and Hour Law Update Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA) Notice of Rates of Pay and Regular Payday

relating to the changes in existing law under the Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA).

Effective April 9, 2011 Section 195.1 of the Labor Law, requires all employers, other than governmental agencies, to give employees at the time of hire (before work is performed) and on or before February 1st of each year, notice of the following: 1. the employee’s rate or rates of pay 2. the overtime rate of pay, if the employee is subject to overtime regulations 3. the basis of wage payment (per hour, per shift, per week, piece rate, commission, etc.) 4. any allowances the employer intends to claim as part of the minimum wage including tip, meal, and lodging allowances 5. the regular pay day 6. the employer’s name and any names under which the employer does business (DBA) 7. the physical address of the employer’s main office or principal place of business and, if different, the employer’s mailing address 8. the employer’s telephone number

For additional information, including FAQs and templates for your use, visit NYSDOL Division of Labor Standard’s web site at: http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/ workprot/lshmpg.shtm

Please read the LS-52 Guidelines for Written Notice of Rates of Pay and Regular Payday for more information

Print Will Make a Comeback in 2011 EDITOR’S NOTE: Print publications continue to be an important cornerstone of CONY’s marketing and public relations efforts. Even as we shift more and more into an online presence with our website improvements, social media activities and online advertising, the need and requests for a tangible print piece—our CONY Directory—shows no signs of decreasing now or in the near future. In fact, in the past four years, the print run has increased about 25% and the distribution continues to widen and grow with our efforts to publicize the availability of our directory.

(Continued from page 6)

year ago I didn't see this coming. Today, I relish the opportunities when I can't be reached for comment. If I'm right, many of your customers (especially busy executives) are feeling the same. Your print communication may be just what they need. Online content marketing is definitely here to stay. Yes to social media, apps and the rest of it. But don't forget that print can still play an important role in your overall content marketing mix.

Be sure to consult your 2011-2012 CONY member kit for information on advertising in the 2012 CONY directory, as well as distribution opportunities for your own print piece through the CONY shows program and the CONY mailing distribution program—great ways to save on getting your materials into the hands of interested and qualified camping customers.

Previously an executive for Penton Media Inc., Joe Pulizzi founded Junta42.com to help marketers create and develop better content marketing. Joe is also President of Z Squared Media LLC (Junta42's parent company). Joe is co-author of the book Get Content Get Customers (McGraw-Hill), which helps teach businesses why and how to create their own compelling content to drive their businesses. For more, see ContentMarketingInstitute.com, junta42.com, and JoePulizzi.com. 7

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Zone Meeting Wrap Up

Top Left: Todd Messinger of Talent House shows off his design services. Top Right: Rob and Rachel Kaiser of Medina/ Wildwood Lake KOA with CONY President and CEO Don Bennett, Jr. in Batavia. Bottom Left: CONY Hall of Fame member Vera Eddy of Woodstream Campsite chats with Conference Committee Chairperson Rosemary Curtis and CONY Chairman Scott Sherwood at the Batavia check in. Bottom Right: Introductions around the room at the Syracuse Zone Meeting.

- They are difficult to remove; THANK YOU EXHIBITORS! water at 120 degrees can kill Adirondack Firewood Co., Inc. Anvil Fence & Access them and dry cleaning also kills them. Artisans, Inc. Ber National Controls Respectfully Submitted, Kimberly Foro Calbranch Insurance Region 10 Director Danielle Windus‐Cook

(Continued from page 1)

campgrounds - 2011-12 portfolios were distributed at this year’s zone meetings; contain membership information, dues notice, info on conference, continuing ed, etc.

Attendees also heard presentations from Matt Mitchell, Vice President of Corporate Communications, about reading and using website statistics, and about CONY’s new online reservation service—Adventure Systems, LLC.

ADA Requirements - CONY has drafted a sample policy regarding service animals; see attached handout. Includes animals assisting those with mobility issues, sight or hearing deficits or epilepsy. It does not include therapy animals. Bed Bug Infestions - Peter O’Connell is drafting some guidelines for campground owners if we encounter bugs in our parks / rental units.

Properties LLC Destinations of New York State Evergreen USA Fire Fuels, LLC Go 4 It Graphics Hinman & Associates Jamestown Advanced JMF Publishing, Inc.

The online reservation system is McNeil & Co./Advensure up and running, and parks are Mountain Service Distributors accepting reservations already! Satch Sales, Inc.

- Beg bugs are wingless, can range in size from a poppy seed to ¼”, their color changes from white to red to burnt orange; they do not carry disease and can live for up to 7 months without food. They feed on warm-blooded mammals.

Learn more and sign up at: Adventuresystems.net

Silver‐Top Manufacturing Co., Inc Tees Plus Telamode

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Latest Update from Evergreen—ADA Information for Pools and Spas open to interpretation. For example, at the pool complex things like adding a new fence or repairing a GFCI most likely would not require you to update the facility. This new Standard will apply if you’re installing anything new like playground equipment, miniature golf course, fishing pier or dock, pool or hot tub; additionally, if you do enough work or modifications on any of these to meet the alteration threshold you might be forced into applying the new Standard. If someone is planning on making changes they will be directed by their local code enforcers and/or their contractor.

By Ken Roy & Mike Pulk - Risk Managers for Evergreen USA RRG, Inc. www.evergreenusa.com. Reproduced from The Source. Evergreen's exclusive risk management program has been working closely with the camping industry, the ADA, and our clients to understand how the new ADA standards will affect campgrounds and RV parks. Unfortunately there are no 100% clear answers as we have received many different answers from the ADA hotline and from different local and regional building code authorities. However we believe the information below is as accurate as possible and will regularly update this information as more is known:

The ADA is a complaint driven law, meaning, unless a person with a disability files a complaint with the Department of Justice, you should have no problems until you’re adding things or remodeling. However, if something is discovered to be ‘readily achievable’ within your facility – you’ll probably be forced to make modifications at that time. Also, the language of the 2010 Standard and the broader scope creates the greater potential for a disability type lawsuit after March 15, 2012.

March 5, 2011: If you modify an existing structure or building, change the design of your pool or add a new one, the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design applies to you. The new 2010 ADA is an extension of the older 1991 Standard. Similar to the 1991 law, which states that public facilities must by law accommodate people with disabilities, the 2010 ADA Standards add guidelines for amenities such as playgrounds, boating facilities, recreational facilities, exercise equipment, golfing facilities, pools and hot tubs. You should research the ADA website, or simply call the ADA hotline, for further clarification. Because there are new specifications and clarifications made to the 1991 Standard, there is much to learn and precedents to be set, but it should be known that in one form or another, this law affects everyone who serves the public.

Our advice is to talk with any person with a disability in your park and make sure they are happy with the accommodations that you do offer at the present time. Talk to them about access to the fishing pier, the pool area or the miniature golf course and plan accordingly. It may be possible to make some simple changes that are helpful even though not fully compliant (as long as those changes don’t meet an alteration threshold). What’s most important here is that guests are happy, and how can you keep them happy. We will provide more suggestions in our next issue and post those on our website: www.evergreenusa.com/.

The following is taken from the ADA website fact sheet at www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/title3_factsheet.html. Effective Date: The rule will become effective March 15, 2011. On March 15, 2012, compliance with the 2010 Standards will be required for new construction and alterations and barrier removal. In the period between September 15, 2010 and March 15, 2012, covered entities may choose between the 1991 Standards and the 2010 Standards. Covered entities that should have complied with the 1991 Standards during any new construction or alteration of facilities or elements, but have not done so by March 15, 2012, must comply with the 2010 Standards.

Each state has its own regulations regarding accessibility. To ensure compliance with all codes, know your state and local codes and use the more stringent technical requirement for every modification you make; that is, the requirement that provides greater access for individuals with disabilities. The barrier removal requirement (in other words can someone with a disability get into your restrooms, laundry facility, store, pool, etc) for existing facilities under the ADA supersedes less stringent local or state codes, be sure to check with all authorities before you begin extensive construction or remodeling.

Safe Harbor: The rule includes a general "safe harbor" under which elements in covered facilities that were built or altered in compliance with the 1991 Standards would not be required to be brought into compliance with the 2010 Standards until the elements were subject to a planned alteration. A similar safe harbor applies to elements associated with the "path of travel" to an altered area.

For more information: The final rule and fact sheet are available in electronic format on the Internet at: http:// www.ada.gov/. For additional information, or to order copies of any documents, call the ADA Information Line (800) 5140301.

PLEASE TURN THE PAGE FOR POOL ARTICLE….

The trigger which forces you to make the modifications is 9

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Industry News category (small, medium and large) will receive 50% back for each fullregistration received!

NEWS

Southern Sweet Tea (that’s for Bill Perry!)



Voted “Best Southern City” by Southern Living Magazine, and a “Top 10 American Travel Destination” by Condé Nast Traveler magazine



Home of celebrity Chef Paula Deen, and her The Lady and Sons Restaurant.

The affiliated state association with the MOST overall growth will win $5,000!

“Battle for Savannah” challenges states to increase their ARVC Convention attendance over 2010

There must be at least 20% minimum growth over 2010 to qualify for either winning category.

The “Battle for Savannah” is a contest between state associations to help make the 2011 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo, presented by the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, the best ever attended.

The winning state associations will be presented with BIG checks at the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo!

The state or states with the greatest percentage increase in fullregistrations over their 2010 registrations in each state association size



So why visit Savannah, Georgia, in addition to the ARVC Expo? Here are only a very few reasons: 

Trolley tours of the historic district.



Home of the largest National Historic Landmark District in the USA.

Lodging at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. CONY encourages its members to take part in the “Battle for Savannah” challenge. Visit the ARVC conference webpage at http://www.arvc.org/outdoorhospitality-conference.aspx .

Head of pool company guilty in drowning If you think it couldn’t happen to you, you may want to think again. According to recent news accounts, David Lionetti, owner of Shoreline Pools, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in a plea bargain agreement, accepting responsibility for the 2007 death of 6-year-old Zachary Cohn of Greenwich, CT. Zachary drowned in his family’s pool when he became trapped in the intake suction line, which lacked any safety device. The plea deal is a reduction from the original charge of second-degree manslaughter, a felony which could have resulted in Lionetti serving up to 10 years in jail if convicted. The lesser charge will mean Lionetti serves 500 hours of community service and three years probation, and Shoreline Pools will donate $150,000 to the Zac Foundation, a pool-safety advocacy group started by the boy’s parents.

According to news reports, before power to the pool was finally cut, the boy’s father “pulled with all his strength and could not pull Zachary’s arm from the pool suction pipe.” It was determined after the incident that when the pool was built in 2005, certain safeguards (such as an extra intake pipe) and safety devices (such as a safety vacuum release system) were not installed per building code amendments and provisions. In addition to the criminal penalties, the boy’s family also filed a civil suits against Shoreline, its engineer, pool equipment suppliers, and the town of Greenwich, which conducts pool safety inspections. Some suits have been resolved confidentially, others are still pending. What does this mean for you, as a business owner with a public pool? Work with your pool installation com10

pany, your insurance provider, and your local codes enforcement officer, to ensure you utilizing all safeguards and safety devices to ensure the wellbeing of your guests. Be knowledgeable of all codes and laws regarding pool safety, and follow them. In addition to saving a life, you may save yourself from devastating consequences, too. (Information for this article resourced from “Pool Death Prosecution Resonates With Companies,” by Christian Nolan of Connecticut Law Tribune, April 18, 2011; and “Head of pool company guilty in drowning,” by John Christoffersen, Associated Press.)

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Why I Attended the National School of RV Park and Campground Management (Continued from page 16)

The park construction and project management module focused on the development of a marketing plan and a business plan based on long term goals for a park. As a second generation manager of an established park I could relate to the necessity for developing an updated master plan prior to upgrading and modernizing an aging campground. This master plan can then be used to establish priorities for future investment as well as to document the status of existing facilities. With respect to business planning and tax planning, something we all need to be more conversant with, I learned about strategies to improve the financial health of a park using capital expenditures and debt. A continuation of training from year one which involved proven strategies to set overnight and seasonal rates, this session focused on prioritizing capital expenditures, whether it be more sites, rental units, or infrastructure improvements such as signage or paving. By using capitalization rates and return on investment calculations one can make informed, rational, decisions to improve the value of one’s business through sound investment priorities rather than making decisions based on emotion.

In the retail strategies sessions, I learned that the share of non-camping revenues in RV parks has dramatically increased in recent years. This revenue comes not only from retail sales, but from a broad array of ancillary income sources. We learned that campgrounds have many more options for ancillary income than other sectors of the hospitality industry such as hotels. RV parks can create income streams from day visitor fees, craft activities, golf cart rentals, pedal carts, kayak/ canoe rentals, laser tag and a whole host of other rental activities. More and more campgrounds are utilizing wrist band programs to package and manage these services. I was so inspired by the potential of expanded rental services that I purchased several kayaks for rental at my campground this summer at the recent Syracuse RV show. The internet/website and social media sessions were also invaluable. Each participant received a hands-on evaluation of their website and insights on how to boost their search engine rankings. Online social networking tips also proved helpful. I should also comment the quality of the Oglebay facilities and the staff support for the program. The setting of the Wilson Lodge where we studied, dined, and slept rivals that of any re-

sort complex in the country. Situated in the midst of the 1,000 acre Oglebay Park owned by the City of Wheeling, the Lodge is just one of many housing and recreational facilities available to visitors. Then there were the evenings spent at fireplace cracker barrel sessions where participants shared their experiences in managing their parks. In summary, all campgrounds should consider sending one or more staff members to this training program. The four campgrounds from New York State that sent representatives this year will immeasurably benefit from this educational experience for years to come. Richard M. Bull Memorial Scholarship Program Request information on scholarship eligibility and awards from the CONY office at info@nycampgrounds.com, or go to www.campcony.com and log in to the “Resources” page. Submit a scholarship assistance request to attend:  Oglebay School of Campground Management  ARVC In-Sites Convention  Northeast Campground Association Convention  CONY Conference  Other approved continuing education programs.

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Chairman’s Report (Continued from page 2)

the campgrounds across the state that we spoke with are very pleased with their advance reservations. Not one campground indicated that they were down from last year; everyone seems to be well ahead of last year at this same time. During the course of our Zone Meetings we met several new owners and potential new members. It is exciting to see CONY growing and bringing new campgrounds into our membership. Keep in mind, if you know of a campground that is not a CONY member and you share the benefits of membership with them and they join, there is an incentive for your own park. Contact the CONY office for incentive infor-

mation. You all know there is strength in numbers and the more members we have the stronger our organization will be. The CONY office has put together member binders again this year. If you were at the Zone Meetings you should have got yours. If you weren’t you should see them in the mail very soon. I would encourage any of you that may question what CONY does for you, spend some time going through this binder and any questions you may have will be answered. It is a very impressive and useful resource but as with any resource you must “use it” to get anything out of it. As always, if there is anything I, the CONY board, or office staff can do for you please don’t hesitate to contact someone. We are here to serve the

membership. While summer is the very busy time for us all, the board stays active and in contact. I look forward to seeing you at the CONY Convention and Expo (yes I said Expo, many details to follow, another first for CONY) in Niagara Falls in November which may seem like a long way off but as you know, “time flies when you’re having fun” and the Convention will be here before you know it. I want to wish you all a safe and prosperous summer and may your parks be full of Happy Campers!!!! Regards, Scott Sherwood Chairman

Maximize value in your CONY membership with the NEW online reservation system developed by Adventure Systems, LLC. Register now to install this easy-to-use management portal, and set-up is FREE! Complete web-based management availability—manage from any computer that has internet access. A partnership of:

585-586-4360 or info@nycampgrounds.com for details. www.adventuresystems.net

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CONY Membership News CONY Conference Highlight: by Rosemary Curtis, CPO, Conference Chairperson The 48th Annual CONY Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry (the updated title of the CONY Conference & Trade Show), is set for November 35, 2011, at the Sheraton at the Falls Hotel in Niagara Falls, NY. *** MEMBER BENEFIT UPDATE: This newsletter! As part of your CONY membership, you receive a copy of this newsletter six times per year, with information about current CONY activities, notices of opportunities for professional development or group marketing programs, industry news and issues, and sometimes anecdotes and tips from your fellow campground owners. Each edition of the newsletter also contains a printed copy of the most current and handy reference guide of CONY”s valued associate members, listing their services or products, and contact details. This is information put directly into your hands every other month to help you shop around and research products and services to help your business grow, develop and im-

prove—core tenets of CONY’s mission for its members. *** National Get Outdoors Day: Join in to promote outdoor fun FREE PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day, www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org) is an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. American families will find opportunities to experience traditional and non-traditional types of outdoor activities. Prime goals of the day are reaching first-time visitors to public lands and reconnecting our youth to the great outdoors. During the CONY Zone Meetings, Suzanne and Don announced that CONY is participating in the NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY (GO Day) program on June 11th. Statistics show that the general camping demographic is an average of 50+ year's old, and today's youth spend approximately 8 hours per day in front of some kind of screen. CONY intends to be a part of the trend that gets kids more active outdoors and gets them - and their families - camping. To promote GO Day, CONY will be pairing it with our annual geocaching program and Camp 2 Nights, Get 1 Free

Welcome New Members

program, as well as promoting your special events and open houses taking place on June 11th. SEE GoCampingNY.com THERE’S STILL TIIME TO PROMOTE YOUR DISCOUNTED CAMPING AND SPECIAL JUNE 11th EVENT! (the geocaching passports are already completed, but you can still do geocaching). We’ll be working with ARVC’s Jeff Cryder to place news releases, and we send out our own releases to your local media, and providing you with promotional tools such as posters. Fill out and return the GO Day sign up form (let us know if you need a copy). Y o u c an a l s o r e ac h o u t t o suzanne@nycampgrounds.com if you have questions. Equipment and instructions about your program(s) of choice will be distributed in May. ARVC, on its GoCampingAmerica.com website, will be promoting Get Outdoors Day by posting a printable 20% discount coupon, to use during the month of June at participating parks. They have no formal sign-up for this program, but if you plan to accept the coupon, please let Suzanne know so we can promote it on our own websites.

Access Member Info on CampCony.com

Lake Hadlock Camping & RV Park Fort Ann, NY (Adirondacks Region) www.lakehadlock.com

Have you signed up for your login and password for CONY’s business-to-business website at www.campcony.com?

Fire Fuels, LLC (Associate Member) Todd Tierney Queensbury, NY Packaged Firewood.

GO NOW and set yourself up to access “Members Only” information including the materials in the CONY library, and the message forum. Questions? Contact the CONY office at (800) 497-2669 or info@nycampgrounds.com.

See our associate members at www.campcony.com! 14

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From the Desk of the President & CEO (Continued from Page 16)

speakers, and camaraderie will be waiting for you. Please mark your calendars for Nov. 3-5, 2011 now and plan on attending, you will be glad that you did. If you have not already received your 2011-2012 membership binder it will be in your hands by the end of May. We urge you to utilize the contents of the binder to take advantage of all that membership in CONY has to offer you and your park.

Providing Quality Protection for your Campgrounds

I want to thank the CONY board of directors and officers for all of their hard work and dedication by attending board meetings, holding region meetings, attending our annual meeting and conference, legislative lobby day and various other conference calls and so much more. They are instrumental in helping guide CONY to be the best that it can be. I also want to recognize and thank YOU for being a member of CONY. As CONY continues to evolve and strive to serve our membership and industry it can only do so with you by our side. Together we can accomplish great things!

800‐836‐7860 www.calbranch.com

Jane Peers

Jenelle Ademovic

I want to thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve you as your President and CEO. I truly enjoy working with you to help advance the mission of CONY: An association dedicated to the promotion, growth, improvement and development of privately owned campgrounds in New York State. - Donald G. Bennett, Jr. President and CEO

Beware of the Bears

Every effort is made to print accurate information. CONY, along with contractors and advertisers will assume no liability for errors or omissions. We will gladly reprint any corrections. Please write or call us.

In case anyone is considering doing some camping this spring or summer, please note the following public service announcement:

The CONY Newsletter is published by the CONY office, providing its members with industry related information. For information, article suggestions or advertising inquiries, call: 800-497-2669 or 585-586-4360. Or e-mail us at: info@nycampgrounds.com

In Alaska, tourists are warned to wear tiny bells on their clothing when hiking in bear country. The bells warn away MOST bears. Tourists are also cautioned to watch the ground on the trail, paying particular attention to bear droppings to be alert for the presence of Grizzly Bears.

Campground Owners of New York 1 Grove Street, Suite 200 Pittsford, New York 14534 nycampgrounds.com (consumer website) campcony.com (corporate website)

One can tell a Grizzly dropping because it has tiny bells in it.

1 Grove Street, Suite 200 Pittsford, New York 14534

Why I Attended the National School of RV Park and Campground Management By Truman A. Hartshorn, Region 5 Board Member Lebanon Reservoir Campground Seasoned campground owner and managers as well as those just entering the industry can gain new insights from this training program held every February in Wheeling, WV at Oglebay Park. As a second year student in a three-year program, I participated in the program this year to build on the experiences I gained in 2010 and to renew friendships with colleagues from around the country. The seasoned, veteran, instructional staff return year after year to share their expertise. The content materials were provided in advance so there was no mystery or trepidation about the immersion into industry dynamics that would unfold during the intense five-day program. As a park owner with many years of experience in the industry, I gained the most benefit from sessions focused on these topics: 1) park construction and management; 2) business and tax planning; 3) retail strategies; and 4) internet and social network trends. I will briefly elaborate on each of these themes. (Grade ’A’ continued on page 11)

Pictured, left to right: Ellie Russell, 1st year student from Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Mexico; Sandi Howard, 2nd year student from Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Cooperstown; and Truman Hartshorn, 2nd year student from Lebanon Reservoir Campground. Absent from photo is Casey Lees, of Spruce Row Campground.