Celebrating 22 years as the trusted leader in outdoor connectivity solutions
Directors
Regional Directors
REGION 1, DIRECTOR
Venky Venkatesan
Midland RV Campground
Midland, TX
REGION 2
Ken Hinz
Traders Village
Grand Prairie, TX
REGION 3, PRESIDENT
Randall Dally
Rayburn RV Hideout
Brookeland, TX
REGION 4, SECRETARY
Susie Prater
The Vineyards of Fredericksburg RV Park
Fredericksburg, TX
REGION 5, PAST PRESIDENT
Terry Munoz
Lost River RV Park
Baytown, TX
REGION 6, DIRECTOR
Charlie Bates
Parkview Riverside RV Park
Concan, TX
Directors At Large
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Austin Faught
Bolivar Peninsula RV Park
Crystal Beach, TX
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Allison Holcomb
Rayford Crossing Resort The Woodlands, TX
C.A.M.P. Focuses on RV Industry
RELATIONSHIPS AT SPRING MEETING
By Woodalls Campground Magazine
The RV Industry Association (RVIA) is helping members of the Campground Association for Management Professionals (C.A.M.P.), including TACO, expand their relationships with RV manufacturers while lobbying on behalf of campground operators across the country, according to a press release.
C.A.M.P. held its spring meeting on June 5 in Washington, D.C., while also attending numerous meetings with legislators that were organized by RVIA as part of its annual RVs Move America week, said C.A.M.P. President and TACO Assistant Executive Director Michael Moore.
“Chris Bornemann, RVIA’s director of government affairs, came to our C.A.M.P. meeting in December and invited us to have our spring meeting in Washington, D.C., to coincide with RVs Move America Week,” explained Moore. “RVIA provided us with meeting space and invited us to participate in all of the meetings they organized with legislators.
“RVIA was very gracious and very accommodating. It was a great opportunity for state executives to participate in meetings with legislators and to lobby on behalf of their campground association members,” he added.
C.A.M.P. also took advantage of
its presence in Washington, D.C. to reach out to the RV Dealers Association (RVDA), which sent Patrick Calpin, RVDA’s director of partnerships, to meet with the campground association directors. “There is every incentive for all of us to work together,” Moore said, adding that TACO is grateful to RVIA for its support as campground association directors work to expand their collaborative work with RV manufacturers and dealers.
Moore said representatives from Newbook also attended C.A.M.P.’s spring meeting and asked how the company could better assist campground industry associations across the country.
“Newbook wanted to meet the state association executives, including TACO, as they want to work with them beyond just sponsoring trade shows,” Moore noted. “They asked us what we needed and we told them we would like specific data that parks with similar profiles could
Michael Moore and Randall Dally with US Rep. Roger Williams in Washington D.C.
use to compare themselves with each other, among other things.”
The next C.A.M.P. meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 in Branson, Mo., to coincide with the Campground Owners Expo.
For more information on C.A.M.P. visit www.CampgroundExecutives.com
Hinkle
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO
Brian & Debra Schaeffer
TACO Office Crowley, TX
Assistant Executive Director of
Randall Dally and Michael Moore met with lawmakers in Washington D.C.
CAMP at the RV Caucus Reception with RVIA.
Michael Moore,
TACO meets with Senator Ted Cruz at our nation’s capitol.
After The Flood: A CALL TO READINESS FOR EVERY CAMPGROUND
By Chris Hipple - Vice President Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance
The floodwaters came fast. On July 4, 2025, a wall of water surged through Kerr County, Texas, claiming at least 134 lives, with over 100 still missing as of mid-July. Campgrounds along the Guadalupe River, some filled with families enjoying the holiday, were devastated. Survivors described chaos—trailers overturned, people swept away, communication down. The tragedy stands now as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history. And it could happen again.
For campground owners and managers, this isn’t just a distant headline. It’s a hard reality. Whether it’s flood, fire, tornado, hurricane, or even an unexpected crisis like a chemical spill or train derailment, every property—no matter how peaceful it seems on a sunny day—must be prepared to respond when nature or accident turns dangerous.
Before the Storm: Planning to Prevent Tragedy
Disaster planning starts long before the skies darken. Understand what hazards are near your property—are you in a floodplain, near wildfire-prone terrain, downwind from industrial plants, or close to rail lines? Once you know your risks, you can begin to prepare your land, your team, and your guests.
That means elevating critical infrastructure like electrical systems, clearing brush to create defensible space, and setting up redundant communication tools. It also means having conversations—real ones—with staff and guests. Train your team to know not just how to react, but when to react. And give guests a sense of security by showing them where to go if something happens—not in a binder nobody reads, but in person, when they arrive.
When It’s Time to Evacuate: Acting with Speed and Certainty
In Kerr County, many families didn’t get a warning. Despite the availability of IPAWS—the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a government platform capable of sending wireless emergency alerts to all phones in a geographic area—officials didn’t activate it. Whether due to hesitation, confusion, or oversight, lives were lost that might have been saved with 30 seconds’ notice. It is possible set up an IPAWS and NOAA connected system with speakers, strobes, or even text-based alerts for your campground.
Don’t wait for someone else to sound the alarm. Create clear evacuation thresholds for your property—whether it’s rising water levels, incoming fire, or hazmat exposure. Know your routes, post them clearly, and walk your team through the plan. If you hear a warning from emergency managers, act immediately. And if you don’t hear one but the situation looks dangerous—trust your training. Go.
Partner with local fire departments and emergency responders now, while skies are blue. They can help you create plans, understand warning systems, and support you when the worst happens. They want to help. But they need to know you’re there and that you’re ready to work with them. They will help you to identify potentially catastrophic risks facing your property and assist you with developing appropriate response plans.
In the Aftermath: Recovery and Reality
After a disaster, the first priority is people. Account for everyone. Tend to injuries, reunite families, and connect with mental health resources for those traumatized by what they’ve just endured.
Then comes the long road back. Insurance carriers may be able to help, especially with business interruption, temporary shelter, emergency cleanup, or even PR assistance. But be aware: flood damage to buildings is not covered by standard property policies. If you don’t have a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), there may be no insurance funds available to rebuild. These policies take 30 days to activate, so don’t delay in having that conversation with your agent.
There may also be help from FEMA, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, or your county. But as with everything else, it’s much easier to access if your information is organized and your needs are clear.
A Final Word
The families who lost loved ones in Kerr County will carry this loss forever. As members of the outdoor hospitality community, we owe it to them—and to our own guests—to take every measure we can to prevent the next tragedy.
You don’t need to live in fear. But you do need a plan. Because when disaster strikes, it won’t wait. ✪
Industry Compassion Second to None
By Brian Schaeffer - TACO Executive Director/CEO
No one could have seen the events of the July 4th weekend unfolding and causing the death and destruction that it did. It is also encouraging to see how the affected communities, the entire state of Texas and nation rallied to help.
For TACO’s part we started a GoFundMe page before the weekend was up and set a modest goal of raising $10,000. Within 24 hours that goal was exceeded and we set another goal of $20,000. In a couple of days that amount was exceeded, and we pushed the ultimately goal to $30,000 and that was hit about a week later. The compassion for camping, campgrounds, and campers is extraordinary.
TACO attempted to contact every member park in areas where we thought flooding could have occurred. Thankfully most members were in good shape aside from some cleanup. Others, not so much. We catalogued the responses and unfortunately some we still haven’t heard from.
The fundraising closed as of August 1st. But that isn’t the end of the story, just the beginning. We had over a dozen parks and
vendors step up with in-kind donations to help the affected parks with programs amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
We have also received applications for assistance and the stories and pictures are heartbreaking. Beautiful parks under water and all the damage that these monstrous storms can cause is evident. We provided all the affected parks with the full list of in-kind donations. We formed a committee of staff and board members to evaluate applications regarding cash distributions.
Finally, TACO got involved in a big way with the Texas Legislature and the current Special Session as it relates to how our industry can be more prepared during these natural disasters. We are attempting to reintroduce NFPA 1194 into the discussions and processes because it does call for parks to have evacuation plans, which is a good thing.
Stay tuned for updates in all the areas discussed above and once again we thank every person and business who stepped up to help those in our great industry who were impacted, and need assistance. ✪
89th Texas Legislative
The 89th Texas Legislative Session concluded on June 2, 2025, closing out a very significant session for lawmakers. The 140-day session started slowly, as designed, and quickly gained steam once the 60-day emergency-itemsonly period passed. The TACO legislative team worked tirelessly to advocate for the Texas RV Park industry and worked hard through an unusual legislative process.
Low Bill Passage Rate:
One of the unusual aspects of the legislative session was the low bill passage rate. Normally, the Texas Legislature passes more bills, but it seems this session there was a harder point made mostly on ensuring Conservative legislation was passed. The Legislature passed a historically low number of bills this session—1,213 bills this session out of 8,719 filed (not including SJRs/HRJs or Simple Resolutions)—which is the highest number of bills filed since 1991 (earliest date available). That’s a passage rate of 13.8%, the lowest since 1991. Aside from 2023, which had a 15.5% passage rate, the average is typically around 20%. That’s a 31% drop in the percentage of bills passed compared to the total filed from the norm this session. Over 7,500 bills died in committee or failed to meet deadlines, including proposals on renewable energy restrictions and immigration enforcement.
Texas State Budget for the 2026–2027 Biennium (Senate Bill 1):
The 89th Texas Legislature has adopted Senate Bill 1, setting the state budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The budget appropriates $338.0 billion in All Funds, a 1.2% increase over the previous biennium, and $149.2 billion in General Revenue Funds, a 5.1% increase. The budget is balanced and remains well within all constitutional and statutory spending limits, including the pay-as-you-go, tax spending, and consolidated general revenue limits.
Economic Development and Tourism:
Included in amounts appropriated, Promote Texas, is $309,887,976 to support and promote the economic development
of Texas. This amount includes $63,758,055 in fiscal year 2026 and $63,758,055 in fiscal year 2027 in General Revenue Hotel Occupancy Tax Deposits Account No. 5003 to be used for tourism promotion activities in the 2026-27 biennium.
Texas Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia:
Included in amounts appropriated for the Music Film Television Multimedia, is $97,882,070 in All Funds for the 202627 biennium, for the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Music Office, and the Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) as authorized under Government Code, Chapter 485. This amount includes $10,100,000 in General Revenue-Dedicated Texas Music Incubator Fund Account No. 5193 in each fiscal year of the 2026-27 biennium to establish and administer the Texas Music Incubator Program, in accordance with Government Code, Chapter 485, Subchapter C, and $30,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund identified in Rider 45, Higher Education Film Workforce Pilot Program.
TACO is proud to have worked with our travel industry partners to successfully advocate for the Economic Development and Tourism Office funding. Texas is currently the third most visited state in the nation and 7th in international visitors.
TACO Advocacy in Action
The Texas Travel Alliance advocacy team stayed very busy during this session, but not as successful as we would have liked to see resulting in important legislation passed.
Another bill that claimed much of our focus was SB 2928/ HB 1591, relating to the scheduling of a consistent first day of school for all Texas children. SB 2928 by Senator Creighton was voted out of his Senate Education K-12 Committee and placed on the Intent Calendar but was never brought up for debate on the Senate floor. Its companion bill, HB 1591 by Rep. Metcalf, was referred to the House Public Education Committee but was never granted a hearing on its merits. Despite both in-person testimony and a robust letter writing campaign from the travel industry, the bills did not gain enough traction to pass a consistent school start date this session.
Session Summary
By Ron Hinkle – TACO Legislative Consultant
Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Legislation:
There were 77 individual HOT bills filed in the Texas Legislature. While some of the bills passed, many were rolled into one bill (called an omnibus bill) that contained most of the language in the single filed bills. The TACO advocacy team scoured every HOT bill for compliance on the statutory and proper use of HOT taxes. The team found a few bills that attempted to use HOT funds for unintended uses, so we worked with the chairmen of the committees and committee staff to successfully eliminate the unauthorized language. Ultimately, the omnibus bill, HB 2974 by Rep. Craddick, encapsulated most of the HOT bills that were falling behind the timeline to pass legislation, but it died due to no final consensus on the contents of the bill between the House and Senate conferees on the bill. For TACO, no HOT bills contained any language that would have placed a HOT tax on RV Parks.
One of the more widely discussed bills this session was HB 1393 by Rep. Metcalf, which proposes keeping Texas on daylight saving time year-round. The bill passed both chambers with strong support and has been sent to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature. If signed, Texas would join a growing list of states seeking to eliminate the biannual clock change. However, the change cannot take effect unless Congress amends federal law, which currently only allows states to opt out of daylight-saving time—not adopt it permanently. Advocates argue that permanent DST would benefit public health, energy use, travel and economic activity, but until federal action is taken, Texans will continue to spring forward and fall back as usual.
Overall, TACO tracked 51 bills throughout the session. We also worked with many partner organizations such as the film coalition, swipe fee coalition, Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, and other partners on both supporting and opposing bills that would impact the travel industry in Texas.
Unfortunately, TACO’s premier bills, SB 385 by Senator Flores and the companion House bill HB 2701 by Rep. Guillen, did not pass the legislature. While the House bill was passed in the Texas House of Representatives by a vote of 93 Hays and 56 nays, the Senate would not refer the bill to the Senate committee for a
hearing nor did the Senate have the courtesy to have a hearing on SB 385. This is a very disappointing act by the Senate and TACO will be working with Senators and Senate leadership to better understand their concerns with NFPA 1194.
SB 2413 by Senator Hagenbuch filed a bill on behalf of TACO regarding the definition of tiny homes and tiny home communities. This bill did not pass and was the same victim as our previous bill that it was not given a hearing in Senate committee.
However as disappointing as it was, we would like to thank everyone who wrote letters, came to the Capitol to deliver testimony and supported our efforts throughout the session. It is important for Legislators to hear directly from their constituents, and all of your efforts helped get the word out as to the importance of laws governing RV Parks.
Here is a summary of some additional items that happened during the 89th Session:
Education
• Private School Vouchers: Senate Bill 2 established a $1 billion education savings account program, allowing families to use public funds for private school tuition and homeschooling expenses.
• Public School Funding: House Bill 2 delivered an $8.5 billion boost to public schools, covering teacher pay raises, special education, school safety, and early childhood education funding.
Housing, Property Taxes, and TWIA
• Lawmakers passed property tax relief measures, including increased homestead exemptions and appraisal reforms.
• Voters will decide in November whether to approve a new round of property tax cuts for Texas homeowners and businesses.
• If passed, the state’s homestead exemption will increase from $100,000 to $140,000. Homeowners who are 65 or older, or those with disabilities, would see an even greater exemption to $200,000.
TACO VENDOR MEMBERS
ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING
CAMPGROUND REFUND
Jim Dixon
214-546-7886
Performing no-risk contingency fee, refund on utilities sales tax, and construction for RV campgrounds .
www .campgroundrefund com
CAMPGROUND ACCOUNTING
Donna & Chad Bordeaux . . . . . . . . . 704-752-9845
Specialists in saving taxes & growing campgrounds Get proactive advice, avoid surprises, and achieve more than you dreamed!
www campgroundaccounting com
GIGI CONNECTS THE DOTS
Gigi Weck
512-368-6662
Simplifying your bookkeeping puzzle, one dot at a time, for RV parks and campgrounds both short and long term rentals Let’s Chat!
Ensure a safe, welcoming camp or RV park with fast, reliable background checks
www campbackgroundchecks com
BANKING/FINANCIAL SERVICES
BUSINESS FINANCE DEPOT
Bruce Hurta
281-384-2595
Business Finance Depot offers SBA/USDA loans, retirement rollovers, park model financing, unsecured loans, and HELOC
www BusinessFinanceDepot com
THE BSC GROUP
Drew Sikula
312-224-8965
Commercial mortgage brokers financing RV parks through banks, credit unions, lifecos, CMBS lenders, and private debt funds
www .thebscgroup com
CABLE TV & SATELLITE SYSTEMS
RVPARKTV .COM BY IT’S ALL ABOUT SATELLITES
Barry Conley
800-951-1979
TV systems, business-class internet, 100% coverage Wi-Fi networks, DIRECTV satellite programming, and streaming solutions
www itsallaboutsatellites com
ATWELL LLC
George Garay
CAMPGROUND CONSULTING
248-447-2000
Full-service consulting, engineering, and construction services firm We deliver a broad range of creative solutions to clients in the real estate and land development, power & energy, and oil & gas markets
www .atwell-group com
CAMPGROUND CONSULTING GROUP LLC
Jayne Cohen
800-897-8836
National consulting group specializing in all aspects of RV park and campground development, investment and operations, land planning and design; feasibility studies, operational audits and more www campgroundconsultinggroup com
Professional campground assessment, providing consultation services from a thought to opening
www moorescampgroundconsulting com
NADI GROUP
Uchenna Nnadi
844-669-6234
Urban design, land-use planning and landscape architecture that adds resilience, value, and the human experience to your project Discover how we create
Heavy-duty campground and park equipment—picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bike racks built to last www chadwickmanufacturing .com
COMMERCIAL RECREATION SPECIALISTS
Nicole Barreau
877-896-8442
Create an unforgettable experience with aqua parks, floating cabanas, dock systems, splashpads, playgrounds, shelters and more!
www crs4rec com
FARMTASTIC FUN
Jennifer Pixton
888-798-0596
We provide low ropes courses, spiderwebs, Jumbo Jumper and playground equipment
www farmtasticfun .com
GREAT AMERICAN DIRECT
Kendall Lecker
757-229-0567
Your glamping experts at factory direct pricing! Mattresses, wipe downs, mattress protection, futon frames & mattresses
www greatamericandirect com
INEX TECHNOLOGIES
Anna Illinskaya
865-671-1400
Inex Technologies is a global leader that designs, develops, manufactures, and delivers ALPR camera systems, ALPR software analytics, and prepackaged market specific solutions for security (parking, tolling, law enforcement, access control management)
www inextechnologies com
KANGAROO JUMPER INC
Courtney Childress
865-387-8706
We help make playgrounds even more fun, by delivering and installing the market’s leading jumper product to you
www kangaroojumper com
MARINESYNC CORP
Austin Bleier
619-269-7000
We provide wireless metering, control, and automation solutions for marinas & RV parks
More than just a commercial construction company—we are creators, innovators, and community builders With a passion for excellence and a commitment to quality, we specialize in bringing RV and glamping visions to life www tenpointservciestx com
CREDIT CARD SERVICES
CLEARVIEW MERCHANT CONSULTING
Noa Lager
210-769-5472
Elevate campground/RV profits with transparent payment processing, seamlessly integrated into your booking software for optimized efficiency www .clearviewmc net
VV TACO VENDOR MEMBERS
MARTREK DIGITAL
Amber Simpson . .
DIGITAL MARKETING
. 319-795-1350
Tailored digital strategies from SEO-optimized content to engaging web design
www martrekdigital com
TILLERXR
Lizzy Bustamante
210-237-1812
Revolutionizing outdoor hospitality with TillerXR; Build immersive virtual tours to showcase campgrounds and boost reservations
Campground insurance: our team of experienced agents are prepared to guide you through your insurance options, securing the most appropriate campground insurance for your business
www coverrainsurance com
LEAVITT RECREATION & HOSPITALITY INS
Chris Hipple
888-391-3802
We are your one-stop source for everything electrical for your RV park
RVshare is the world’s first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace in the US .
www rvshare com
BONFIRE
Will Boney
ONLINE RESERVATION PROVIDER
847-616-9974
Bonfire makes reservations simple Our easy-to-use system helps campground owners save time & boost bookings!
www letsbonfire com
CAMPLIFE INC
Caleb Cook
800-525-2060
Specialized insurance for RV parks, campgrounds, & resorts #1 in the industry for over 40 years!
www .leavitt com
OUTDOOR INSURANCE SERVICES
Frank Hursh
352-460-0810
Electrical Works continues to set the standard for RV & MH parks, having completed over 7,800 RV & MH site projects at over 50 different properties
www electricalworksflorida com
INFINITY POWER PARTNERS LLC
Nick Altman
713-559-0558
Electricity and natural gas procurement management solutions, risk management service and marketing insight through the development of client-specific strategies
www infinitypowerpartners com
RISE ENERGY
Josh Allen .
. 806-955-7113
Lower energy bills, increase operational resilience, and gain energy independence with tailored business solutions Includes energy brokerage, management and storage www GetRiseEnergy com
TEXEN POWER COMPANY
Tom Stubblefield
281-989-7440
Agent for electric power/commercial electricity, saves you up to 35%
www texenpower com
UTILITY SUPPLY GROUP
Heidi Doyle
800-800-2811
Utility Supply Group is the premier supplier of electrical products and components for the outdoor hospitality industry
www go-usg com
WILD ENERGY INC
Emily Steinhauer
833-563-6300
Industry leader in utility sub-metering: we automatically capture and record energy usage by customer www wildenergyco com
FRANCHISE SERVICES
CAMP JELLYSTONE
Steve Stafford
248-579-8296
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts is the only franchise in the US solely focused on the family camping demographic There are currently more than 75 Jellystone Park locations in the US & Canada
www jellystonefranchise com
KOA - KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA INC
Larry Brownfield
800-548-7239
Franchise marketing providing onsite training & KOA
U-Design support for technology and site upgrades to serve today’s public
www ownkoa com
MISSION GOLF CARS
James Camp
GOLF CARS
210-545-7868
Here for all your golf car needs, with a total of 9 locations, and a dedicated staff ready to assist you with sales, rentals, leasing, and service
www missiongolfcars com
877-783-2367
Since 2006, our robust, customizable reservation system helps you save time, make money, and get back to doing what you love . Demo today!
www getcamplife com
CAMPSPOT
832-497-5312
Insurance for RV parks, campgrounds, resorts, cabins, RVs, and travel trailers
www outdoorinsuranceservices com
ROWLEY INSURANCE
Evan Rowley
512-454-6655
Texas-based experts in insuring RV parks and campgrounds for over 50 years
www rowleyinsurance com
LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT
BEST WASH INC
James West .
. 281-441-2465
Commercial laundry equipment, sales & service, designs and more . www bestwashinc com
CARDINAL LAUNDRY LEASING
Robert Hinojosa
210-272-9222
Commercial laundry leasing, revenue sharing, sales, service and parts
www cardinallaundryleasing com
COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY
John Francis
972-991-9274
Commercial Equipment Company has served the RV/ campground industry since 1967, providing Speed Queen washers and dryers to community laundry rooms
www .ceclaundry com
TITUS COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY
Robert Titus
Laundry equipment sales, service and repair
www tituscommerical com
MARKETING SERVICES
ANDERSON BROCHURE DIS SERVICE
Donald Bennett
888-366-7065
Michelle Hollenbeck
616-226-3135
The industry’s leading campground reservation and management software
www campspot com
FIREFLY RESERVATIONS
Aiden Smith
656-347-3359
Focusing on simplicity, Firefly Reservations was built by campground owners, for campground owners Now combined with Astra and Reserve America
www fireflyreservations com
NEWBOOK
Blake Burris .
. . . . . 310-855-3773
. .
Powerful campground management & booking system
www newbook .cloud
PARK SOFTWARE INC
Rylan Blower
585-967-4976
Manage your campground and accept online reservations with the world’s most easy-to-use software that’s always free for you
www parkwith us
RESNEXUS
Rick Pond
385-218-2637
Management software for any business operating a reservation system for renting, leasing, or scheduling a campground
www resnexus .com
STAYLIST
Nic Gramstad . . . . . . . . . . . . 865-205-0210
Staylist is a cloud-based reservation platform that allows outdoor businesses to curate and manage guests, units, and rates
www pro staylist com
585-615-7742
Professional and cost-effective distribution of brochures, directories, and camping guides at RV and other shows www campwithandersons com
CAMPGROUND VIEWS, INC
Mark Koep
805-341-3828
The best marketing tool available for your destination . Allow guests to virtually tour your property and click to book . www .campgroundviews com
GOOD SAM
Siera Samaniego
805-667-4391
Travel guide, website, mobile app, and social media
marketing
www goodsam com
PASSPORT AMERICA
Tonya Reed
800-681-6810
The original and world’s-largest 50%-off discount camping card to save money on campsites
www passportamerica com
RV LIFE
Dawn Watanabe . . . . . . . . . . . .805-290-0656
Reach 2 .5M+ RVers on RV LIFE Trusted for trip planning, RVsafe GPS, reviews, and finding campgrounds like yours www .rvlifenetwork com
PARK MODEL/GLAMPING ACCOMODATIONS
ARCHED CABINS LLC
Gillian Cruey
832-930-2724
DIY Steel Arched Cabin Kits for glamping or luxury cabins
Built faster and last longer than conventional structures
Azure is transforming outdoor hospitality by 3D printed, sustainable park models 2025 SXW Innovation Award Winner . www azureprintedhomes com
CHAMPION PARK MODELS AND CABINS
Todd Dalton
Manufacturer of park models and RVs
www championparkmodelscabins com
CLAYTON PARK MODELS
Michael Burleson
940-507-0926
800-465-7923
Bring a little adventure to your resort Our luxury park models are constructed by one of the most trusted names in home building
www claytonparkmodels com
VV TACO VENDOR MEMBERS
CONESTOGA WAGON CO
Jason Olson
307-277-0525
Manufacturer of the Conestoga Wagon, Showerhouse and our new Conestoga Cabin!
www conestogawagonco com
GREEN RIVER CABINS AND COTTAGES
Jeremy Hutchins .
.
864-457-2444
Green River builds energy-efficient, customizable park model RVs under 400 sq . ft ., delivered fully assembled, nationwide . www .greenriverlogcabins .com
IRONTOWN MODULAR
Kam Valgardson
801-798-9026
Generational company providing high-quality park models and cabins in European, rustic and traditional styles www irontownmodular com
LELAND’S MODULAR
Carol Stevens
Cabins, portable buildings, RV covers www lelandscabins com
PARK COTTAGES
Kevin Kamin .
817-409-6513
817-821-9747
Park model RV manufacturer located in Fort Worth, Texas . Numerous floor plans and ready-to-rent packages . www .parkcottages .com
PLAINSCRAFT COVERED WAGONS
Dennis Steinman
785-748-4588
Handmade in the heart of Kansas, PlainsCraft creates full-size luxury covered wagons, handmade in the heart of Kansas, for outdoor hospitality providers who seek to offer a one-of-akind overnight experience that visitors will never forget www plainscraft net
PLATINUM COTTAGES
Penni Feil 903-675-2525
Park model manufacturer
www platinumcottages com
POSTO PODS
Joe Sutow
806-316-5232
POSTO Pods are bolt-together glamping kits designed for quick and easy construction! Durable, high-quality, all metal kits!
Colliers’ MH/RV division specializes in maximizing value for MH/RV park and campground owners across the U S and Canada with expert brokerage, valuation & financing solutions
www colliers com
DORSEY-HENDERSON TEAM AT MARCUS & MILLICHAP
Skyler Henderson 817-932-6164
Dedication to prioritizing client needs underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service in every transaction
www marcusmillichap com/dorsey-henderson-team
NAI OUTDOOR HOSPITALITY BROKERS
Jesse Pine
970-379-5551
Real estate professionals assisting clients with the purchase and sale of RV parks, campgrounds, and glamping retreats nationwide
www naiohb com
NORTH STAR BROKERAGE & ADVISORY
Landan Dory
512-222-6826
Our mission is to guide RV & MH park owners and investors to achieve their goals with precision, expertise & dedication
www nstarba com
TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES-TEXAS CRES LLC
Doug Larson
RV park & real estate specialists
www texascres com
YALE REALTY & CAPITAL ADVISORS
Dana Smith
713-824-3799
303-323-5649
Real Estate Brokerage - specializing in financing nationwide for the RV & manufactured housing industry
www yaleadvisors com
RV DEALER, REPAIR & SERVICE
5 STAR TUNING
Chris Duncan
281-353-9599
Plan, design, and construct playgrounds, splash parks, pool slides, shade, shelter, site amenities, and more throughout Texas!
www kraftsmanplay com
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING
AGS GUEST GUIDES
Michael Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-518-1989
Guest guides, site maps and marketing . www .agspub com
PROPANE
HEART OF TEXAS PROPANE
Bryan Rupp
325-313-0884
Where service & integrity are first: Propane delivery, installation & refills throughout Central Texas We provide distinctive quality & unmatched customer service as we gain the respect and trust of our customers, suppliers, and partners
www hotpropane com
NELSON PROPANE GAS INC
Scott Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-234-9052
Propane delivery and service company serving most of East Texas
American manufacturer of wastewater treatment, dispersal and resuse systems optimized for campground & RV Park applications . www .anuainternational .com
INFILTRATOR WATER TECHNOLOGIES
Steve Murdock
512-415-2446
Wastewater treatment solutions for residential and commercial systems with daily flows up to 300,000 gallons per day
www infiltratorwater com
JMI OSSF DESIGN & CONSULTING
Jon Maass
512-297-2346
We provide OSSF/septic designs that are best for your land and usage, and we can assit with the permitting process www .jmionsitesystems .com
WEBSITE SERVICES/MOBILE APPS
APP MY COMMUNITY
Joe Duemig . . .
636-459-5161
Put your resort directly in both app stores We create an individual app for you to communicate and engage with your guests
www appmycommunity com
ACCESSPARKS BROADBAND
Tim Rout
858-353-0845
Seventeen years as end-to-end managed services provider (MSP), offering true Broadband Wi-Fi to RV parks nationwide www accessparks com
BLUE REEF NETWORKS
Jim Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . .
214-587-1843
We provide managed internet, WI-FI and managed service for RV parks nationwide, including design & install www .bluereefnet .com
CASSELLS CONSULTING LLC
843-536-1244
Dyno proven gains of 42HP/75 to 6 8L, 75 HP, 70lb ft from a
7 3L
www 5startuning com
RV-DR COM
Derrel Allen
214-850-3818
RV Repairs got you down? RV-DR COM mobile RV repair technicians come to you . Get your problems solved so you can enjoy the great outdoors carefree
www RV-DR .com
PPL MOTOR HOMES
Courtney Casares Hernandez
713-988-5555
RV consignment dealer, serving locations in Houston, Cleburne and New Braunfels
www pplmotorhomes com
STORE GOODS
AGCHIMP LLC
Linda Luker
770-334-9442
A leader in insect repellents and odor control products for use around the campground
www agchimp com
STORYTELLER PROMOTIONS LLC
Mike or Ruth Mallon . . . . . . . . . . 713-705-4400
Advertising specialties, branded apparel, gifts and awards
www storytellerpromotions com
SUNLAND SPECIALTIES
Brian Lerg
800-776-7263
For more than 95 years, Suburban Propane has fueled America’s propane needs with home & business delivery, installs & more
www suburbanpropane com
909-608-7740
Distributor of supplies for campground general stores: RV/ Electric, Camping, General Merch , swim & toys, candy
www sunlandspecialties com
Colin Cassells
866-884-2294
Experience unrivaled outdoor Wi-Fi with a Texas-based provider Founded by a former NASA engineer, connecting customers for over 25 years www cassellsconsulting com
CHECKBOX SYSTEMS
Jim Ganley
866-345-9434
For over 22 years CheckBox has been a leading provider of reliable, affordable Wi-Fi solutions www .checkboxsystems net
Leading Wi-Fi and camera service provider in the US, providing secure, reliable, and hassle-free service www skywebwifi com
TENGOINTERNET
Karen Wong
512-469-7660
Industry leader in outdoor Wi-Fi and connectivity with over 22 years of experience www tengointernet com
TACO announces that Suburban Propane is the Preferred Provider for propane, offering special pricing and benefits for TACO campground members.
HIGHLIGHTED LISTINGS ARE TACO PREFERRED PROVIDERS
For complete TACO Vendor listings, visit TACOMembers.com/taco-suppliers
Rustic Roots Modern Comfort PlainsCraft
Pioneer Elite Wagons
Top-tier with full ensuite bathrooms and luxury amenities, perfect for maximizing bookings and rates.
Prairie Wagons
Spacious and versatile, featuring high-quality options and customizable layouts, ideal when paired with a PlainsCraft Outhouse.
Pony Wagons
Compact and budget-friendly, delivering essential comforts for smaller spaces.
PlainsCraft Luxury Outhouses
Customizable & Expandable
Half and full bath units: Stand alone or grouped for multi-unit facilities. Expand Anytime!
Big returns on a little adventure
6Waysto Use Automated SMS in Your Campground
Communicating with your campers is an essential part of business. If you're not doing this using SMS automation, then tune in! Let's explore why SMS is important and how you can get started...
90%
Average SMS open rate
1. Get Personalized
If you're communicating with your guests using the same generic wording, it's time to get on board with personalization.
What exactly is personalization? It's the art of using information customized to the specific guest, like their name, for example.
But how can you send a personal SMS when it's automated? You don't have to manually send every SMS to make it personal. You simply use what we call Insert Fields. These allow you to set one SMS template with fields that dynamically insert personal information for each guest.
2. Upgrade Promotions
Prior to check-in, let's say 48 hours as an example, an SMS can be automated to incoming guests, offering an upgrade to a more premium site or cabin.
If the guest replies "Yes" , your PMS can automatically update the booking.
No manual intervention is required, and your cheaper accommodation is released back online for your last-minute buyers.
vs
20%
Average email open rate
3. Check-In & Out
Offer convenience and the option for guests to express check in and out and skip the queue at reception! Automatically send your guests an SMS on the day of their arrival or departure, prompting them to respond with your chosen keyword to check in or out digitally! #convenient
4. Gather Feedback
Stay in the know with surveys. Gathering feedback while guests are in-house allows you to rectify any problems before they end up as a negative review posted online.
What exactly is SMS surveys?
SMS surveys are text messagebased feedback collection tools that can be used to gather opinions and insights from guests.
When should you send Surveys?
We recommend sending the SMS, at, say, 4 hours after checkin. If the rating is below 8, your PMS can prompt you with a task to contact or visit the guest to assist.
A whopping 25 in 26 people who have a negative experience don't advise the business.
An average person spends on their device everyday.
5. Late Check Out & Stay Extension
Let's be real... your guests would love the option to check-out later or even extend their stay! Are you offering that to them?
Capitalize on lower occupancy and deliver exceptional guest experiences by offering either late check-outs or stay extensions for a small fee where there are no incoming reservations on the same day.
6. Post-Stay Follow Up
Following up with your guests after their stay via SMS is a great way to make them feel special, capture feedback and promote repeat stays with special discounts to rebook.
So how important are reviews and recommendations? Check out these stats with impact...
92% Trust recommendations from friends
93%
By Tom Schroeder -
You stay in control as the merchant of record. Tailored pricing & white-glove support.
DORSEY-HENDERSON TEAM AT MARCUS & MILLICHAP
Skyler Henderson
817-932-6164
Dedication to prioritizing client needs underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service in every transaction. www.marcusmillichap.com/dorsey-henderson-team
GIGI CONNECTS THE DOTS
Gigi Weck
512-368-6662
Simplifying your bookkeeping puzzle, one dot at a time, for RV Parks & Campgrounds short and long term rentals. Let’s Chat! www .gigiconnectsthedots .com
GREEN RIVER CABINS AND COTTAGES
Jeremy Hutchins
864-457-2444
Green River builds energy-efficient, customizable Park Model RVs under 400 sq. ft., delivered fully assembled, nationwide. www .greenriverlogcabins .com
HEART OF TEXAS PROPANE
Bryan Rupp
325-313-0884
Where Service & Integrity Are First: Propane Delivery, installation & refills throughout Central Texas. We provide distinctive quality & unmatched customer service as we gain the respect and trust of our customers, suppliers, and partners. www .hotpropane .com
MARTREK DIGITAL
Amber Simpson
319-795-1350
Tailored digital strategies from SEO-optimized content to engaging web design.
www .martrekdigital .com
RISE ENERGY
Josh Allen
806-955-7113
Lower energy bills, increase operational resilience, and gain energy independence with tailored business solutions. Includes energy brokerage, management and storage.
www .GetRiseEnergy .com
REGION 1
RV PARK BIG SPRING TX 6305 MIDWAY, BIG SPRING, TX 79720
REGION 2
CAMP QUITCHERBICHIN (CAMP QYB)
540 SHADY OAKS DRIVE, RUNAWAY BAY, TX 76426
DINOSAUR VALLEY RV PARK 1099 PARK ROAD 59, GLEN ROSE, TX 76043
LAKEVIEW MARINA RV PARK
6657 PEDEN ROAD, FORT WORTH, TX 76179
REGION 3
MAGNOLIA SPRINGS RV PARK LLC
6676 STATE HWY 103, WEST LUFKIN, TX 75904
REGION 4
WAKE & LAKE RV RESORT
155 EUEL MOORE, KINGSLAND, TX 78639
REGION 5
MARIN RV PARK @ EMMA V’S
17723 PEARLAND SITES RD, PEARLAND, TX 77584
We will miss a long-time TACO member, Annett Bowyer. November 6, 1955 – May 5, 2025
Annette Lucille Bowyer, 88 of Alvarado Texas passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025.
Annette was born August 3, 1936, in Edinburg, Texas, the youngest of three daughters of James and Celestine Luke. She married Charles Bowyer of Brownsville in Edinburg on November 6, 1955.
Annette worked in a business administration capacity with her husband in his construction company for many years, and later with her son in his property rental businesses. Annette was the matriarch of the Bowyer family that owns RV Ranch of Keene and their flagship park the North Texas Jellystone in Burleson. Annette managed the Keene property for several decades and was consistently a TACO member. Annette was a fixture at every TACO Spring Meeting and Tradeshow –often donating autographed items from the Bill Gaither Gospel cruises for the TACO auction. Her smiling face and ever-bright personality were truly uplifting.
Annette is survived by her sons Douglas Bowyer and wife Sherry, Ronald Bowyer and wife Ginger, Darrell Bowyer and wife Jackie, and daughter Sheri Stephenson and husband Garye and several grandchildren.
Annette was a dedicated supporter of the Cleburne Adventist Christian School and has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to CACS at 111 Meadow View Drive, Cleburne, Texas 76033.
Annette Bowyer with her sister Dorothy Wilcox at a TACO Show.
89th Texas Legislative Session Summary
Continued from page 11
• TWIA funding: HB 3689 by Chairman Todd Hunter. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) has traditionally funded excess losses and operating expenses through public securities, a method that has proven costly and inefficient due to high interest and issuance expenses. H.B. 3689 seeks to reduce TWIA’s long-term financial burdens, ensure timely repayment of state financing arrangements, and enhance the association’s capacity to cover losses following disasters by replacing public securities with state-funded financing and introducing catastrophe surcharges. In addition, the bill authorizes TWIA to pay losses it would otherwise pay through public securities by entering into catastrophe financing arrangements with the state.
• Business Personal Property Tax: HB 9 by Chairman Morgan Meyer provides that a person is entitled to an exemption from taxation by a taxing unit of $125,000 of the appraised value of the tangible personal property the person owns that is held or used for the production of income and has taxable situs at the same location in the taxing unit, rather than if the property has a taxable value of less than $2,500 (previous exemption cap). The bill was signed by the Governor on June 12.
• Legislation was passed to address high home prices and rents by encouraging more housing development.
• Key bills will allow for the construction of smaller homes on smaller lots, as well as apartments and mixed-use developments in more areas, particularly along retail and commercial corridors in the state’s largest cities.
• New legislation aims to expand affordable housing and streamline permitting processes in fast-growing urban areas.
Infrastructure & Water
• A major water infrastructure package was approved to address drought resilience, aging systems, and future population growth.
• Funding was allocated for flood mitigation and rural water access improvements.
• The legislation dedicates $1 billion annually for the next 20 years, beginning in 2027. The funds will be evenly split between repairing the state’s aging water infrastructure and developing new water supplies, including desalination, conservation, and flood mitigation projects.
Health & Public Safety
• Stricter bail laws were enacted to limit release for certain violent offenses.
• Senate Joint Resolution 5 will appear on the November ballot, asking voters to amend the state constitution to allow judges to deny bail in certain cases involving the most violent offenses.
• Expanded mental health services and rural healthcare access received bipartisan support.
Credit Card Swipe Fees
• SB 2056 and SB 2025 along with their companion bills HB 4061 and HB 4124 related to the charges of swipe fees on credit cards and disclosures on credit card transactions did not pass the legislature.
State Lottery and Gambling
• Lawmakers debated but ultimately did not pass any major gambling expansion. However, reforms to the Texas Lottery and charitable gaming laws were approved.
• Texans will no longer be able to purchase lottery tickets online through app-based couriers.
• The Legislature also abolished the Texas Lottery Commission and transferred the lottery operations to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Social & Cultural Issues
• Legislation was passed to require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms.
• New laws target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in K–12 and higher education.
• Bills affecting transgender Texans, including restrictions on participation in sports and access to certain healthcare, were passed.
THC and Expanding Medical Marijuana
• Lawmakers approved a ban on products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), fulfilling a priority of the Lieutenant Governor.
• The Legislature also expanded the state’s limited medical marijuana program (Texas Compassionate Use Program). This expansion significantly broadens the list of qualifying conditions and allows for more licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.
• Governor Abbott vetoed the bill and will address this at a Special Session beginning July 21st.
Manufactured Homes
• SB 785 by Senator Flores passed that requires that every city allow new HUD-code manufactured homes to be built, by right, in at least one area of residential zoning and prohibits cities from, directly or indirectly, prohibiting manufactured homes within the entire city limits. Cities still maintain the right to choose size and location for suitable manufactured homes placement and exclude manufactured homes from unsuitable locations.
• SB 1341 by Senator Hancock relates to a bill making changing to manufactured homes. Manufactured homes are no longer only mobile homes or traditional, double-wide trailers. The manufactured home industry has grown and innovated to building homes that closely look like a traditionally built home; however, they are still prefabricated off site and conjoined at the build site. Unfortunately, current statute does not reflect manufactured housing modernization and expansion.
Going Forward
The Governor has already vetoed 26 bills and signed into law 1,155 bills. The veto period for the 89th Texas Legislative Session ended on June 22, 2025. He also called a Special Session beginning July 23rd.
As the dust settles on the 89th Texas Legislative Session, one thing is clear: our work is far from over. As we move into the interim, we’ll continue engaging with legislators, sharing stories and data that highlight the vital roles that travel, tourism and our vibrant RV park industry play in Texas’ economy and culture. ✪
The Clear Choice for RV Parks & Campgrounds
Package Plant
Extended Aeration Wastewater Treatment
Each plant is custom-built at the factory and shipped to the project site. These plants can be as simple as secondary treatment or as complex as a system for biological nutrient reduction with UV disinfection.
Fixed Media
Wastewater Treatment
• Simple to operate and maintain
• Suitable for seasonal or intermittent use
Benefits you’ll only receive as a TACO Member!
Legal and Legislative Program
•Member-only online access to Texas Campgrounds Legal Handbook including site service agreements, eviction process, forms, statutes and regulatory language and much more
•Fights for Texas campground owners’ rights with local and state agencies and in the Texas legislature
•Offers professional and actionable phone and email support when operational or marketing issues arise within your Texas campground
Education
•A copy of the TACO News Magazine with timely information on industry trends plus state and national developments
•Member pricing for the Texas Campgrounds Spring Meeting and Trade Show, the largest campground operator show in the Southwest
•Free access to numerous online educational classes from industry experts throughout the year
Marketing
•Web listing with direct link to your campground website on TexasCampgrounds.com - a top-ranked Google search result for Texas RV camping
•Additional listing on TexasGlampingResorts.com - a top-ranked website for ‘Texas glamping resort’
•A listing in the official RV Travel & Camping Guide to Texas and Texas Saver Card - reaching 250,000 campers through Texas Welcome Centers, RV Dealers, Chamber Visitors Centers and dozens of the biggest RV shows around the country
•Promotes the RV, camping, and glamping lifestyles in Texas, and TACO member parks, through an extensive public relations program
Vendor and Supplier Access
•A copy of the Official Texas Campgrounds Vendor Guide with experienced suppliers catering specifically to the RV park and campground industry in Texas
Here’s what our satisfied members are saying!
“If you have ever had to evict a guest from the park you know what a headache it can be. TACO is a phone call away for advice, has the forms needed and even a Site Service Agreement that stipulates the law. TACO continues to work to educate law enforcement agencies of the changes made and works each legislative session to refine those laws. Saving one or two months of site fees in the eviction process will more than pay for your yearly dues.”
– Randall Dally Owner Rayburn RV Hideout
“We count TACO and its team of professionals as one of our most valued partnerships in the success of our clients’ properties in Texas. Their thorough guidance, unending advocacy, and continued stewardship of the RV industry in both Texas and nationwide makes them an absolute ‘must have’ for our locations in Texas!”
–Scott Foos CEO/Owner Horizon Outdoor Hospitality
LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE WORK IS TH E #
1
M EM BE R B E N E F I T
The TACO Legal Team
Legislative Consulting
RON HINKLE
Texas Campgrounds
Legislative Consultant for over 20 years.
Property taxes are threatening your profits –you need TACO fighting in the Texas legislature, both for you and for your bottom line!
A coalition of city and lodging entities wants Texas to put an occupancy tax on RV sites in the next legislative session. TACO will ALWAYS fight this tax for you!
The TACO Legal Hotline ONLY for TACO Members!
CHRISTINE TAYLOR
Licensed attorney and campground operator.
Cities and water boards want to arbitrarily make you install bigger master meters and bill you for unoccupied sites. TACO has won before and will ALWAYS fight this!
Some campers don’t pay their fees and try to get away with it. TACO fights theft of service, and wins!
Some campers don’t obey the park rules and must leave. TACO fights this criminal trespassing, and wins!
The TAC O Le gal Handb o ok
Essential to operating a campground in Texas and EXCLUSIVELY for TACO Members.
"I am grateful to be a part of TACO. I would have been out so much more money trying to fight these water charges. I don’t have the full understanding of many things at the legal level that TACO has been able to help me with. Texas is so blessed to have someone that cares about getting the right things done at a legislative level. Thank you again for fighting for the campgrounds in Texas so that we can concentrate on taking care of our guests."
