Best Parks Forms International Partnership

PathFinder OutDoor Destinations, based in Melbourne Australia, and Best Parks in America, McLean, Va., have established an international partnership for the purpose of “creating an international network to promote the growth of quality outdoor destination properties and experiences in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.”

According to a news release, the international partnership, which begins this month, brings together two leading organizations with the intention of developing a global operation promoting a lasting guest experience in an outdoor environment.

This international affiliation will provide the opportunity to develop a new sector in tourism by: cross promoting tourism for those properties involved in the affiliation; assisting operators to build business and “take their properties to the next level;” and develop a global rating criteria that promotes achievable benchmarks for operators to aspire to and ensures guests a great outdoor holiday, vacation and recreation experience.

Terry Goodall, co-founder and managing director of PathFinder OutDoor Destinations Pty Ltd., says that this is an industry-first where “we have two organizations prepared to think outside the square and develop an international approach to redefine the outdoor holiday guest experience.”

David Gorin, founder and president of Best Parks in America, added, “Outdoor destinations appeal to all ages from active young adventurers, families, empty nesters, and retirees. The opportunity to be in the forefront of the development of this new travel and tourism sector will give Best Parks in America affiliates and outdoor destinations around the world the opportunity to set a new standard for these kinds of recreational activities and vacation experiences.”

The partnership anticipates further expansion in 2012 to “broaden the non-competitive sharing of information for the benefit of its members and, ultimately, the consumer.”

For further information on PathFinder, contact Ed Brooker, international director, at (901) 938-5359 or at ebniagara@gmail.com. For additional information on Best Parks in America, contact Deb Kohls, vice president, (714) 269-1264 or at deb@BestParksinAmerica.com.

More About the Best Parks Additions

Following is additional biographical information on Deb Kohls and Joe Opp, who are joining Best Parks in America (BPA) in management and advisory roles, respectively.

Kohls, currently the vice president of business development at Leisure Interactive of Anaheim, Calif., will be joining Best Parks on Nov. 1 as BPA’s vice president. Kohls will have responsibility for affiliate and consumer relations and development. She will also serve on the new board of directors of the re-structured BPA system.

“I’ve know Deb since 2001 when she became part of the founding team at Friend Communications and I’ve always been impressed with her insightful thinking, passion for travel and tourism and for moving the park industry into the larger world of travel and tourism, and for her ability to develop and nurture relationships among people of all persuasions, “ said David Gorin, BPA founder and president. “In searching the park industry for a highly qualified executive to join the BPA team, Deb’s qualifications, energy and passion for the Best Parks mission stood out above all others,” he said.

Kohls’ career included a stint at Fleetwood Enterprises in their Supply Division, Accounting Department and the Information Technology Services Group. She also has experience as a sales executive with some of the world’s major technology companies including Hewlett Packard, EDS and Sun Microsystems where she developed and managed large customer accounts including Apple, Intel, Kaiser Permanente and the Bank of Hawaii.

At Leisure Interactive, formerly Friend Communications, she was instrumental in introducing the industry’s first real-time Internet marketing solution for the outdoor hospitality and recreation marketplace. Kohls played a key role in growing the business to over 800 campgrounds and RV parks that now use the Leisure Interactive Hercules park management and reservation software.

Former Leading Hotels Exec Teams with Best Parks

Opp recently retired as senior vice president of membership services of Leading Hotels of the World and will join BPA as senior adviser for brand development.

Opp has a long track record of success in the travel business having served as reservation manager for National Airlines, director of reservations for Avis Rent a Car, director of reservations for Pacific Southwest Airlines and vice president of marketing automation for TrustHouse Forte Hotels.

From 1996 until his retirement at the end of 2010, Opp was the senior vice president for membership services at Leading Hotels of the World. LHW is a marketing consortium comprised of a select group of independently owned hotels around the world. LHW has members in every major U.S. market including New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Philadelphia, Houston, New Orleans, and Boston.

“Best Parks in America is based on the Leading Hotels of the World model and there is no one else with the breadth of experience in how LHW works and how it’s become such as great success in the hotel business than Joe Opp. I can’t begin to express how proud and pleased I am that Joe has accepted our offer to become a senior adviser to Best Parks,” said Gorin.

Kohls, Opp Join Best Parks in America; Restructuring Outlined

David Gorin, president and founder of Best Parks in America (BPA), today (Oct. 10) announced several major changes for the national brand.

These changes will help BPA grow from its present 82 members to “a group of 150 over the coming years,” Gorin predicted.

In a news release and during a press conference held today, Gorin announced that Deb Kohls has been named vice president, effective Nov. 1. She joins BPA after 10 years as the senior vice president of Friend Communications and its successor company, Leisure Interactive.

“Deb is deeply immersed in all aspects of business and outdoor consumer marketing, is an expert in the marketing of RV parks and campgrounds to consumers and has a deep technology background in the park industry as well as in the overall larger world of travel and tourism marketing and development,” Gorin stated. “I am excited that Deb will be joining us and her presence will enable us to significantly step up our brand and network development.”

Kohls will operate from her office in Huntington Beach, Calif.

In addition, Joe Opp, recently retired senior vice president of membership services of Leading Hotels of the World, will also be joining the BPA Team as a senior adviser for brand development.

Opp has a long track record of success in the travel business having served as reservation manager for National Airlines, director of reservations for Avis Rent a Car, director of reservations for Pacific Southwest Airlines and vice president of marketing automation for TrustHouse Forte Hotels.

Opp, based in San Diego, will not be a full-time staff person, but will serve in an advisory role.

Restructuring Outlined

Meanwhile, BPA is undergoing a business restructuring that will enable the company to move forward unimpeded by unnecessary and unwarranted legal harassment.

“BPA is reorganizing into a non-shareholder corporation meaning that it is evolving into an association format. This reorganization is being done to protect your right to join your independent and unique business together with other like-minded businesses to work cooperatively to build your business without interference from the federal or state governments,” Gorin stated.

“BPA has no intention or interest in competing with any existing association on any level. Our objective is to work with the highly rated parks that voluntarily become members or affiliates of Best Parks in America to help them improve their business operations, provide unique and high quality guest experiences and to grow their revenues and profits.

As part of the restructuring, David Gorin Associates LLC retains ownership of the intellectual property rights that provide the foundation for Best Parks in America. DGA LLC is licensing the IT rights exclusively to Best Parks in America. In addition to her role as BPA Vice President, Kohls is also becoming a member of DGA LLC.

Gorin also announced the composition of the BPA board of directors.

Mike Gurevich, owner of Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Md., will join Gorin and Kohls on the board.

“Mike’s family has been in the park industry since the 1930s I believe, and the park was the first Best Parks affiliate in 2003,” Gorin noted. “Mike will initially serve with me and Deb Kohls during the restructuring and will assist us in establishing the new company’s bylaws and the new board. Several other Best Parks owners or managers will be added to the board in the coming weeks,” Gorin stated.

Linda Gurevich, Mike’s wife, will serve as general counsel.

The Best Parks board will establish standards for membership using today’s rating guidelines as a foundation for the immediate future, Gorin said.

Gorin offered some background on the reasons for the restructuring.

“Throughout 2011, BPA has been responding to a series of legal challenges from a company that represents that they are a BPA competitor and asserts that BPA is selling unregistered franchises.  To assure that it is crystal clear that BPA is not a franchise and to assure that BPA can continue to build the brand and operate a nationwide marketing group as we have been doing, Best Parks in America today is announcing a business restructuring that will enable the company to move forward unimpeded by unnecessary and unwarranted legal harassment.

“BPA is reorganizing into a non-shareholder corporation meaning that it is evolving into an association format.

“This reorganization is being done to protect your right to join your independent and unique business together with other like-minded businesses to work cooperatively to build your business without interference from the federal or state governments.

“BPA has no intention or interest in competing with any existing association on any level. Our objective is to work with the highly rated parks that voluntarily become members or affiliates of Best Parks in America to help them improve their business operations, provide unique and high quality guest experiences and to grow their revenues and profits.”

Gorin said this restructuring should end the legal dispute BPA has been engaged in with the unnamed BPA competitor.

Background

The Best Parks in America brand was established in 2003 as a marketing group for premium level RV parks. At that time, Best Parks offered affiliates exclusive territories, and offered the consumer a set of signature amenities available at all affiliates. In that year the group also inaugurated the Best Guests in America club, offering members rewards for repeated overnight visits to affiliated parks. There were 23 affiliated resorts at the end of 2005.

To this day, these parks have been extremely loyal to Best Parks and as a group we tried valiantly to add additional resorts to the group. The early years between 2003 and 2007, were heady days for the park industry. RV sales were booming. The economy was strong. Parks were doing just fine without the need to strengthen their marketing activities and were perfectly content to let others – like Woodalls, Trailer Life and AAA – tell consumers which parks could best meet their RVing needs.

The world of marketing today bears little resemblance to that of the early to mid years of the last decade.

In 2009, in an effort to expand the Best Parks base and to seriously begin to grow Best Parks as a business and a recognized brand name, fees were slashed and the focus turned to building an online and print directory to promote Best Parks as a brand targeted at consumers seeking a higher end RVing and campging experience. The lower fees attracted many parks and since that time Best Parks has had over 100 parks enroll into the program.

In the past 12 months, BPA has begun to step up the branding activities, increased fees and have expanded the range of programs and benefits available to the affiliated parks. During this process, some parks dropped out rather than pay the higher fees or take on the branding activities that are necessary to make the brand and Best Parks in America work.

“Today, we have 82 affiliated parks as we prepare to move into the next phase. It is this next phase of the development of the Best Parks in America brand and marketing group that I am pleased and honored to present to you today,” Gorin said.

In the press release, he explained:

First – BPA is much, much more than just an online and print directory. If that’s all you desire from being a part of Best Parks and you are not interested in benefitting and being a part of a brand engine called Best Parks in America, than I’ve no doubt that you will re-evaluate whether your affiliation will meet your goals and objectives for your business. Best Parks is not a mere advertising vehicle and you can’t measure its success on a short term basis only by how many times your guests point to the Best Parks directory at check in when asked how they found your park. I certainly hope that BPA will meet your needs and fit into your business plan, but if not, thanks and best of luck to you.

Second – BPA is taking steps now to improve and further develop its presence as the major national brand under which independently owned and operated, highly rated RV parks and campgrounds, with and through highly motivated parks owners and entrepreneurs, can work together to achieve higher levels of business success serving the growing market of people who enjoy being outdoors, who know and want the physical and mental health benefits that come from enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle and who enjoy the RV lifestyle and the social and healthful pleasures and satisfactions of being in the great outdoors.

Third – BPA has secured a significant capital investment that clearly represents and demonstrates a major commitment to the growth and expansion of the brand and the Best Parks system.

Fourth – Best Parks is taking the necessary steps to fulfill an objective some of you may have heard me state before – to become what I’ve called in recent years a “non-franchise” franchise. By that I mean, that BPA will provide a range of services and benefits to its affiliated resorts that will match or exceed those offered not only in the park industry but in many other industries by companies that operate under a franchise model. And we will make those services and benefits available at a cost that is affordable by all serious business owners in the park industry who want to ride the wave of future growth in the higher end of the outdoor hospitality business. BPA is not interested in becoming a partner in your business – we are interested in establishing, growing and protecting a brand, offering a marketing platform, and offering business development tools and programs that will enable each park to take full advantage of its uniqueness and independence while reaping the rewards of being engaged in a close-knit and cooperative network of smart, savy, motivated and highly respected business owners and managers working cooperatively to make the Best Parks in America the No.1 brand for those seeking a quality outdoor travel, recreation, vacation or retirement experience.

Mary Arlington ‘Carries Sunshine in Her Pocket’

When we began planning our Boulder vacation, I told Dave that I wanted to stop in Oakley (Kan.) to meet Mary Arlington.

Mary owns High Plains Camping, an overnight RV park located at Exit 70 on I-70.

She and I have been Facebook friends for about a year and she’s delightful. Slender and energetic, Mary carries sunshine in her pocket.

During the warm months, she seldom leaves her RV park. She’s the desk clerk, bookkeeper, janitor, and she works on renovations, all without losing sight of her mission: to provide an oasis for guests.

So over the past year I’ve followed Mary and High Plains Camping on the Internet. Last winter, she showed photos of snow creeping up the ankles of a yellow giraffe, the park’s climbing feature for kids. In the springtime, I saw pictures of her newly painted merry-go-round.

Most of her guests are overnighters, RV travelers or tent-campers, on their way to someplace else. But the goal Mary and John Arlington set out to accomplish when they bought the park nine years ago was to make that traveler’s night-along-the-way an optimal and memorable experience.

While scouting for a park to purchase, Mary and John, who had been living in Ohio, spent a year traveling the country in an RV themselves. In 2002, they bought the property in Oakley.

“He wanted to buy an RV park,” Mary said of her husband. “It had been his early-retirement dream.” They considered various types of RV parks: destination, lakeside and overnight campgrounds. “And what we felt were underserved were the overnight parks. Overnight camping lacked personality and character and we wanted to create a park to make the whole trip enjoyable.”

When Dave and I stopped in Oakley, Mary gave us a tour. Restrooms and showers were spacious and sparkling. The laundry room was pleasant and clean and had a jigsaw puzzle in progress on a table.

As we walked across the 18-hole miniature golf course which was updated this spring, Mary pointed out the soccer net and water-spray stations for kids, and three hot tubs for the grown-ups. For four-legged guests, a large and grassy fenced-in dog space is available.

During her ownership, a barn on the property has been straightened and painted. Campers can hang out in the barn on rainy or windy days. “The park has Wi-Fi,” she said, “and they can bring their laptops in here.”

The park’s U-pick organic garden is in its third season and has been a big hit with the guests. In the well-stocked store, guests can purchase a variety of items a traveler might need or want. DVDs may be borrowed; a book-swap shelf is available.

In addition to the time commitment and physical labor involved in maintaining the park, Mary has faced numerous and heartbreaking challenges since she came to Kansas. A year after they purchased the park and began renovations, her beloved husband died of a fast-spreading cancer.

“If that trial wasn’t enough, the trials ahead of me were beyond any I could have predicted,” Mary wrote in an e-mail last winter. “Had I known then what I know now, I’d have thrown in the towel on the day he died, but I also would’ve missed God’s most glorious work.”

“I’ve suffered several significant illnesses, massive financial strains, enormous (and repeated) hail damage, lightning strikes, chauvinism, damaging winds, intense droughts, blizzards that brought about three weeks of hell, and structure-moving microbursts.”

But Mary persevered and has turned her place into an award-winning camping resort. High Plains Camping has an A+ rating from guestrated.com. In 2010, she affiliated with Best Parks in America which invites only the highest-rated campgrounds to join. Online reviews are very kind and they rave about Mary’s hospitality, the well-planned park and its cleanliness, the organic garden, the store.

“There’s so much to (a park owner’s) life that the customers don’t see,” Mary said. “The amount of work is something else, but the reward of their rejuvenation is worth it. And the way they reward me, by thanking me and by their praise, the weariness just rolls off of me and I can go to bed with a ‘wow.’”

Lieberman Previews Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo II

Undaunted by last year’s inaugural expo, an event that garnered rave reviews for its creativity but barely passing grades for its execution, Lieberman has lined up what he thinks this time will be a real winner.

VCopious, an award-winning, Conshohocken, Pa.-based software producer, is setting up this year’s Expo, set for Nov. 10-11 on the Internet.

The 2010 Expo, a first-ever virtual expo for the outdoor hospitality industry, attracted 479 unique visitors, of whom 297 were from campgrounds.

The company’s Elizabeth Davenport led prospects through the site during Tuesday’s demonstration.

Afterward, Lieberman talked about the upcoming event.

“There are 20 differences between then and now,” said Lieberman, comparing the two events.

Perhaps of prime importance, VCopious staff will set up the exhibitors’ booths for the Expo. Last year, exhibitors did most of the set-up themselves, with help from Lieberman and his staff. The results were spotty, with booths ranging from primitive to sophisticated.

The software provider lurked in the background much of the time last year but provided little assistance in the set-up.

“Last year, 73% of the entrants said they loved the concept but 68% said they hated the software. It wasn’t user-friendly. Not only the exhibitors but also the attendees said that.”

“The software this year is so good and so user-friendly and so easy to use, a child could operate it. Well, a child can operate it. It’s the adults we’re worried about!”

Lieberman, who runs a credit card processing firm that serves the RV park and campground industry, said campground operators are experts at running their parks but often are rusty on their office computers. The easy-to-use software will be far more appealing this time, he said.

For starters, once an exhibitor signs to sponsor a booth, VCopious staff will contact that  exhibitor, ask what the exhibitor wants in the booth and assemble the contents within a day or two, Lieberman said.

Content could range from badges, signs and banners to brochures, videos and online chats. Then, the company will show the exhibitor how to operate the booth.

Not only will booth set-up be easier this time, visitors to the Expo will be ushered into the event quicker and easier, he said. For example, visitors may go directly to a particular booth once they register.

Exhibitors also will receive a more thorough report on who visits their booth. The report will note who visited the booth, what they looked at, how long they stayed, what they took with them in their “briefcase,” who they spoke to in the booth, how long the conversation lasted and any questions they asked.

“There will be total disclosure. You will know how active people were,” he said.

The Expo also will feature conferences and open forums. Lieberman is lining up a special speaker to welcome the visitors.

Lieberman and his staff are trying to make this year’s Expo an all-encompassing outdoor expo by inviting marinas, golf resorts, ski resorts, canoe and paddle boat outlets, even dude ranches to participate.

Booth sales are where they should be at this point with 27 sold, he said. Sixty-four exhibitors took part in the 2010 event.

“We’re still a couple of months out. We sold most of our space (last year) in September and October,” he noted.

Finally, Lieberman stressed that the Virtual Expo is not a substitute to the annual conference sponsored by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).

“We are not competing with ARVC; we are in addition to it,” he said.

The Expo is slated to run from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 11 and be available in the “on-demand” status for 60 additional days.

As previously announced, David Gorin & Associates and Best Parks in America are the Expo’s first Platinum Sponsors.

Deb Kohls of Leisure Interactive, heading up the education portion of the Expo, is once again assembling a cast of interesting and varied speakers for the convention’s webinars, Lieberman said. Last year’s keynote speaker, Derrick Crandall, drew nearly 250 attendees at his presentation.

The producers may be contacted by calling (877) 901-EXPO (3976) or by e-mail at campvirtualshow@yahoo.com.Their website (currently being updated) is www.outdoorhospitalityexpo.com. Pelland Advertising maintains the Expo’s webpage. Visit hiss business at https://pelland.com.

Best Parks Welcomes 2 Virginia Parks

David Gorin, president and CEO of Best Parks in America Inc., has announced the national network’s latest  addition to its collection of unique, independent and highly rated RV parks and campgrounds.

“We are thrilled to announce that Bethpage Camp Resort, Urbanna, Va., and Grey’s Point Camp, Topping, Va., have become a part of Best Parks in America national network. Both of these facilities are among the highest rated parks in Virginia with both being rated 5/5 and 9.5/9.5/10 with Trailer Life,” Gorin stated in a news release.

“The parks are situated along the Chesapeake Bay and offer RVers and campers an exceptional array of facilities and amenities. Both feature direct access to the Bay, state-of-the-art water parks, and a full range of activities and events throughout the spring, summer and fall. Bethpage is a former winner of the ARVC Mega Park of the Year and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they or Grey’s Point were to receive that high honor again,” said Gorin.

Both parks are owned by Walt Hurley, a long time active leader in the Virginia campground industry. Hurley and his staff have worked tirelessly for many years to keep both parks up to the highest standards of customer service, facilities and amenities, Gorin stated. Both parks compete with the mega parks located in Virginia Beach, along the North Carolina coastal beaches and down to Myrtle Beach and Hurley has added all of the necessary recreational activities to keep RVers from the mid-Atlantic area returning to his Virginia parks.

“With the addition of Bethpage and Grey’s Point, together with the recent Best Parks affiliation of Holiday Trav-L-Park in Virginia Beach and Luray RV Resort Country Waye in Luray, Va., Virginia now has four outstanding Best Parks in America affiliates for RVers and campers coming to the Atlantic Coast area. With the 150th observance of the Civil War taking place in Virginia this year, RVers and campers from across the U.S. can enjoy the Best Parks in America during their visit to the state,” said Gorin.

In addition to these new Best Parks affiliates, the group recently also welcomed Big Timber Lake in Cape May, N.J., Frontier Town in Ocean City, Md., and Point Sebago Resort in Casco, Maine, as well as four parks that are part of RVC Outdoor Destinations.

“Best Parks continues to attract the most successful independent parks that comprise the highly rated and higher end segment of the park industry. For the first time,” Gorin said, “the industry has a new and broad brand that is attracting both parks and consumers who identify with the upper end of the market in terms of service, facilities and amenities.”

With 80 affiliates and growing throughout the U.S., Best Parks in America is a marketing solution for independent, modern outdoor resorts that want to remain independent, offer a unique sense of place, and have ownership and management that want to run their own show but at the same time wants to be part of larger marketing distribution network.

Gorin Makes Pitch for Tennessee Resort Project

Editor’s Note: Following is an e-mail sent out this week by David Gorin.

The last few years have been very exciting for David Gorin & Associates. As the recession rolled across the landscape, I’ve been fortunate to be associated with several successful ventures.

Best Parks in America Inc. has expanded to 80 highly rated RV resorts across the U.S. This marketing group has made a deep impression on RVers and outdoor enthusiasts who seek superior RV resorts and campgrounds. Our business building programs and tools for affiliated resorts are being increasingly embraced by park owners and I anticipate that the network will expand to over 100 resorts within the next 12 months. For information about Best Parks in America, please visit www.bestparks.com (the consumer website) or www.bestparks.net (the business to business website). If you’ve got a park that is at the highly rated level, please consider becoming affiliated with Best Parks. It is the brand for the higher end of the park industry.

Holiday Cove RV Resort in Cortez, Fla., has been wonderful project. David Gorin & Associates initially became associated with this park when the former owner engaged our services to evaluate strategies for growth and re-development. As a result of the consulting work, I was fortunate to team up with an investor partner and together we purchased the park and implemented a total redevelopment plan. The park today has 97 beautiful sites and approximately 50% of the sites have been sold. Sale prices were initially established in 2008 and the prices continue to escalate as the number of sold sites continues to grow. Rental rates are at the top end of the scale, occupancy is strong year round and the resort receives the highest ratings from all those who evaluate and review parks.

I was especially pleased that my participation in Holiday Cove gave me an opportunity to gain additional and current experience directly in the day to day development and operational challenges associated with park ownership and management.

In recent years, David Gorin & Associates as served as an expert in several cases involving RV resorts and campgrounds and we now work directly with attorneys and through TASA, the technical assistance service for attorneys. Each opportunity to work on issues that come up through these contacts, further expands my ability to serve the operational needs of park owners and managers.

There is great interest in the RV park industry on many levels. We continue to receive a steady (actually an increasing) flow of calls from developers and investors. We continue to monitor carefully trends and developments in the industry. Every effort is made to share some of these trends through a new website that was put in place several months ago. Please visit www.DavidGorinAssociates.com to stay abreast of many of the industry issues, challenges and opportunities.

Exceptionally Unique RV Resort Opportunity

If you’re reading this e-mail, I surely don’t need to take your time to rehash what has transpired in the real estate world since 2007. As a result of the devastation in values that has taken place, everyone is touting the unique, never before available investment opportunities that now exist. David Gorin & Associates receives inquiries almost daily from distressed land owners looking for RV resort operators who might be interested in joint venturing in the development of their land as another RV resort.

Here’s a brief presentation on an opportunity that I believe is truly exceptional and provides an astute investor with an opportunity to gain a foothold in what is unquestionably one of America’s top tourist and recreation destinations where land has been exceptionally expensive and heretofore unavailable and uneconomical for RV resort development. And of course to achieve higher than typical returns on a reasonable investment.

A highly qualified, experienced and financially sound investor group based in the Knoxville, Tenn., area has 84 acres about ½ mile from the center of the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge commercial tourist area that serves as both a tourist destination in its own right, as well as the gateway to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, America’s third most visited national park. The land is approved for outdoor hospitality use – an RV resort, cabins, hotel, folk school, corn maze, river tubing/canoeing and kayaking, and a variety of other related recreational uses. There is about ¾ mile of river frontage along the Little Pigeon River. The location is within walking or golf cart distance of numerous attractions including the new Titanic Museum Attraction, Wonder Works, restaurants, including the very popular Apple Barn restaurant and country shopping complex, and is very near a new $100 million Water Magic attraction that will be constructed soon. The Tanger Outlets are just 0.7 of a mile from the location.

The Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg market hosts over 12 million visitors a year and has a solid, long-term track record as a destination for families, empty nesters and generation Xers seeking active outdoor recreational experiences.

A video showing the property and some of its uses can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lSiKmbg3kl.

Financing for the project is in place. The owners are seeking a financial partner who also may be an experienced RV resort operator to join the group as the RV resort development and operational expert or to team with David Gorin and David Gorin & Associates to lead the RV resort development.

An investment of $1 million will bring a 1/3 interest in the RV resort project. Interest in other aspects of the development is available.

The outdoor hospitality and RV resort industry has weathered the recession in very strong shape. The affordability of this vacation, travel and tourism market makes it very attractive to mainstream America. And this particular location is exceptionally strong since it is located within a day’s drive of about 50% of the American population.

Please give me a call at (703) 448 6863 or drop an e-mail to david@davidgorinassociates.com if you would like further information about this opportunity.

Best Parks in America Raises Affiliation Bar

Best Parks in America has announced that it has stepped up it qualifications for park eligibility in the Best Parks system.

Effective immediately, parks must have a 5 Woodall rating for facilities with a minimum of a 9 overall Woodall rating or a 27 Trailer Life rating, according to a news release.

Prior to this change a park was eligible for Best Parks affiliation with a total Woodall rating of 9 or higher with either a 4/5, 5/4, or 5/5. Under the new requirements, the first number must be a 5. Also prior to the change, parks were eligible with a 26.5 Trailer Life rating; that rating has now moved up a notch to a 27 total.

“As we hear from more and more RVers and campers, we’re learning that they expect a higher level of facilities from Best Parks in America affiliates and we want to be sure we are meeting their expectations. Pushing the rating bar a bit higher is one step in that direction,” said Best Parks President David Gorin. “We want to continue to strive to make the RVer experience at Best Parks consistent across the brand this is one way to accomplish that.”

Parks currently participating in the Best Parks system will need to meet the higher rating on the date of their next affiliation renewal. Best Parks has introduced several new programs to assist parks that want to raise ratings to meet or exceed the new standard.

Parks that receive an A Guest Review rating with at least 50 reviews remain eligible for Best Parks affiliation. That standard remains unchanged at this time.

“If 50 or more consumers review and rate the park at an A level, we’re confident that the park qualifies for Best Parks in America,” Gorin said. “Consumer acceptance and consistently high ratings is hard to argue with when it comes to park quality.”

Best Parks in America is a national marketing group comprised of highly rated, independent RV parks and campgrounds. There are currently 80 affiliated parks across the U.S. For information on Best Parks in America, visit www.bestparksinamerica.com.

Best Parks in America Adds Four Affiliates

Best Parks in America (BPA) has announced the addition of four new affiliated RV resorts bringing the total number of parks carrying the Best Parks flag to 80. The new parks are located in Maryland, Virginia and Maine.

The new parks are: Point Sebago Resort, Casco, Maine; Holiday Trav-L-Park, Virginia Beach, Va.; Frontier Town Campground, Ocean City, Md., and Fort Whaley Campground, Whaleyville, Md.

“These new Best Parks affiliates are very welcome additions to the Best Parks family,” BPA President David Gorin stated in a news release. “Each of these parks has a long and successful track record of providing the highest quality facilities, amenities and services to their guests and the owners of these parks have been industry leaders for many years,” said Gorin.

Frontier Town Campground is located on the Atlantic Ocean in West Ocean City. The resort offers 584 sites serving tenting up to 45-foot motorhomes. In addition to typical park amenities Frontier Town has great crabbing and fishing, a 75-slip marina with boat ramp, restaurant and ice cream parlor, free beach shuttle and free admission to a full scale Water Park. The park also offers a Frontier Town Wild West Show during the summer season. The park is owned by Mitch Parker, a veteran park owner who also owns Fort Whaley Campground in Whaleyville, Md.

Fort Whaley Campground is located in Whaleyville, approximately 10 minutes from Ocean City. Park amenities include complimentary unlimited miniature golf, planned activities, swimming pool, fully stocked camp store, a fresh water fishing lake, paddle boats, and free admission to the water park at cousin Frontier Town Campground in Ocean City.

Best Holiday Trav-L-Park in Virginia Beach is an 850-site vacation mecca and the closest campground to the Virginia Beach resort area. The park offers its own satellite parking area one block from the famous Virginia Beach boardwalk and beaches. In addition to the beach, there is the Virginia Aquarium, Ocean Breeze Festival Park with water slides, mini-Indy race track and mini-golf course are nearby. The parks is also close to Norfolk, Williamsburg and the southern Chesapeake Bay.

Point Sebago is a 775-acre campground resort on Sebago Lake in Southern Maine. The resort offers a mile of sandy beach, its own on-site 18-hole championship golf course, marina, restaurant and award-winning daily activities and entertainment for every age. The resort features RV sites, cottage rentals and a variety of ownership options. The resort is owned by industry pioneer Larry Gould and the general manager is Don Toms, a longtime active leader in the Maine Campground Owners Association and National ARVCNational Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).

“We’re delighted to welcome this group of incredibly wonderful examples of the RV park business in the 21st Century,” said Gorin. “The addition of these resorts is a strong indication of how the Best Parks brand is creating a collection of the nation’s top independent parks.”

Best Parks in America is an association of unique and highly rated RV parks and campgrounds. Each park is independently owned and operated and each features unique characteristics that appeal to a wide range of campers and RVers from young families to empty-nesters, full timers and retirees. For a complete list of affiliated parks, visit www.bestparksinamerica.com.

Best Parks in America Holds First Advisory Meeting

The first meeting of the newly created Best Parks in America RVer Advisory Board was held on March 10. Four active RVers from diverse backgrounds have been named to the board and will be both offering ideas and advice for better serving RVer needs and experiences, and critiques of the parks they visit and the communications from Best Parks to RV consumers, according to a news release.

The board members and brief bios follow:

• Stan Fleming of Maine–”My wife and I purchased our first RV/motorhome (23 foot) in 2006 as we were getting close to retirement. We have become true believers in the value and pleasure of traveling in our RV. While not full-timers, we are close, and the freedom and flexibility our RV has provided has made traveling to visit family and friends a real pleasure. We are now planning extensive travel throughout the U.S. in the comfort of our own ‘home.’”
• Pamela Wright of Florida–Pamela has been a full-time RVer for the past eight years. She has been a Workamper, a park manager and now has her own company and website, www.FocusedWords.com, where she puts her marketing experience to work for the park owner.
• Jerry Batt of Michigan–Jerry is currently vice president and CIO at Pulte Homes, a residential home builder headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “My wife, Christine, and I have three grown children who are married and live in different Midwest cities. We have two dogs with whom we travel to see our kids and between two homes in Rochester Hills, Mich.. and Mesa, Ariz. We have been RVers for 30 years, starting with a pickup camper and now a 40-foot 2009 Itasca Ellipse. We have camped in 38 states over the years and plan to visit Alaska summer of 2012.”
• Bob Gorden of Arizona–”I have been a tent camper and RVer for more than 50 years. Have owned and driven more than 50 RVs of various types. Owned and operated an RV rental business for several years. Constructed my own RVs in the 1970s. My academic background includes a Ph.D. in aquatic microbial ecology with experience teaching and conducting research at Texas Tech University, University of Southern Colorado and the University of Illinois. I have RVed in every state in the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico plus camping in RV parks in Australia. I have written more than 200 articles online as the Phoenix RV Travel Examiner.

” We are delighted at the response to the Best Parks announcement of the advisory board and the quality of the folks appointed to serve reflects the wide diversity of RVers,” said BPA President David Gorin.  ”This is a truly quality group of knowledgeable RVers who will help Best Parks continue to grow and develop into the leading national brand of RV parks in the U.S.”

The board will meet quarterly to review Best Parks’ programs and initiatives, suggest ways to improve outreach and top-of-mind awareness among RVers and to help craft the outstanding experiences that Best Parks offers to its guests.

Best Parks in America is the only national network of parks that sponsors an RVer Advisory Board to provide consumer input into the national group of parks that make up Best Parks in America.

Best Parks in America is a group of independently owned and operated RV parks and campgrounds that are highly rated by Woodalls and/or Trailer Life campground directories. There are currently 78 affiliated parks in 32 states and provinces. Each park offers a quality facilities and amenities and unique guest experiences. For a free directory of Best Parks affiliates, visit www.BestParksinAmerica.com.

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