Look What We Accomplished Last Year!
National President
By Jon Walker, F268778
jwalker@fmca.com
Last month in this column I shared my vision for FMCA initiatives going into fiscal year 2019 (which started October 1). This month I decided to recap some of the major achievements of the 2018 fiscal year. I think you will be very proud of what your elected Executive Board and the FMCA staff did over the course of one year. So, hang on, and let’s go!
Membership
Your association has had 20 straight months of POSITIVE membership growth through September 2018. In contrast, from October 2009 through February 2015, only three months out of 76 resulted in positive growth. From March 2015 through September 2018, we have had 29 positive months out of 31. To put this into perspective, in 2004 FMCA’s membership peaked at 129,189 families. That number dropped to 70,154 before we stopped this drastic loss. We have made great strides by reversing the trend and sustaining growth. As of this writing, FMCA has a total of 77,403 families in its ranks.
Another important milestone: Since we started welcoming owners of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and other self-contained towable RVs, we have gained more than 3,000 new families with these types of RVs. This growth has been steady and positive. We certainly like what we are seeing in these new member-type numbers!
Digital World
We have completely revamped FMCA’s digital presence to make our association more visible and more inviting in the electronic world. This has brought some important improvements to FMCA during the past year.
The percentage of new members joining and current members renewing via the website has increased from a rate of 41 percent to the current 67 percent. That means more and more people are going to the FMCA website for information about RVing in general and FMCA specifically. This has resulted in reducing the bounce rate at FMCA.com from 68 percent to the current rate of 44 percent. This is important, because we measure the number of people who look at our website and note what they do once they get to the main page. Bounce rate is determined by the percentage of visitors who come to the main page of the site but go no further. A lower bounce rate means website visitors are clicking through to our pages and exploring what FMCA has to offer.
Another important achievement this past year has been our vastly increased presence in the social media world. We have become very active in social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and RVillage. In fact, our number of followers on these sites has increased from 8,974 in 2015 to 38,000-plus today.
We have learned more during the past year about how our members prefer to get their RV information in many forms. Our magazine is the top publication in the RV world and remains the primary choice for information, but the internet and social media are helping to increase member engagement.
New, Improved Member Benefits
During the past year, FMCA has rolled out new and important member benefits and made improvements to others. Following is a recap. A round of applause for their efforts goes out to our Member Services Department staff, headed by Dan Ball, along with our Membership Committee, chaired by Gary Milner, with members Dennis Ducharme, Dennis Fox, Harry Hentschel, Sherry Targum, and Joe Wright.
*New pricing and branding for FMCA’s roadside emergency plan resulted in Roadside Rescue®, a plan with the lowest price in the market and the best protection of any roadside assistance program. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, as we have had nearly 7,000 member signups this year!
*The Verizon Connect-on-the-Go and the Tech Connect+ (with Sprint) mobile internet programs are bringing high-speed, unlimited data to thousands of our members, all at only $49.99 per month.
*Our new FMCA Campground reservation system allows members to reserve a spot in advance at the Round Bottom Road campground so you know you have a space waiting for you as you arrive in Cincinnati. The campground stays busy, so the reservation system eliminates the guesswork members experienced with the prior first-come, first-served system. Full-hookup and electric-only spots are available at the campground. To reserve a spot, visit FMCA.com/stay-fmca.
*This past year, FMCA’s popular monthly publication received a new name — Family RVing — and a beautiful new look. The magazine website — www.familyrvingmag.com — also was given a fresh new look.
*FMCA’s monthly electronic newsletter also was reimagined this year and given a new name — The Mile Marker.
*FMCA’s new Health Plan offers flexible health insurance plan options tailored to the personal needs of RVers. Plans are available for RVers under age 65 who want to travel the United States without worrying about health insurance coverage. Additional information is available at FMCA.com/healthplan.
*FMCA members now receive discounted rates on the RV PetSafety monitoring program by Nimble. With this plan, you can leave your pets alone in your home on wheels with peace of mind, knowing you’ll receive instant notification of temperature alerts via your cell phone. No Wi-Fi is required.
*At the beginning of calendar year 2018, we unveiled our completely revamped website — FMCA.com. Not only is the site more visually appealing, but it is easier to navigate.
*Just recently, we added Hankook tires to our tire purchasing program, once again expanding the tire offerings for members.
*The new FMCA University was unveiled this summer, providing the best of online education, with plans to continue expanding the available material and learning options.
*FMCA’s completely new RV Marketplace is THE place to buy and sell all things RV. Check it out at www.FMCARVMarketplace.com.
*And, finally, we have a new FMCA Memorial Brick Garden located at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. As an FMCA member, you, your chapter, or your area can dedicate a brick in memory of someone. Visit www.rvmhhalloffame.org.
As you can see, FMCA has been very active and working hard for you!
Sondra and I would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. As I have said before, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I simply love to eat, eat, eat, and then rest and watch football all weekend.
Please also remember to give thanks for the many blessings we have as world citizens in North America. Especially on this Veterans Day in the United States, or Remembrance Day in Canada, be sure to thank those who have sacrificed — many losing their lives — to protect the wonderful lifestyle we enjoy as traveling RVers. Thanks as well to the first responders — police, firefighters, EMTs, etc. — who protect and serve every day.
Remember, it is still all about having fun!
Time For Tires?
Executive Director
Chris Smith
csmith@fmca.com
Chris Smith, FMCA Executive Director
Members in the market for new tires can take advantage of several money-saving options with the FMCA Tire Program.
As you can tell from FMCA president Jon Walker’s message this month, we at FMCA have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Your association is on the upswing in just about every metric that can be tracked. We hope to continue this upward trend as we move forward.
This month, I would like to talk about one of the key benefits FMCA offers. The FMCA Tire Program is consistently ranked by members as one of our top three benefits. Whether RVers join FMCA for access to this benefit, or remain members because of it, special pricing for tires is just one of the many valuable discounts, services, and more that come with FMCA membership. And additional benefits are always being evaluated.
For many years, we offered the Michelin Advantage Program on its own. Roughly two years ago, we added the Continental Choice Program as another option for purchasing tires. I am excited to announce that we are close to launching a third option. Hankook Tires has agreed to offer discounted pricing to FMCA members as well. Details on the latter program will be forthcoming soon.
What are the advantages of the FMCA Tire Program? Consistent pricing, for one. Members pay the same price on new RV tires at all authorized tire dealers. Convenient payment options are available, and members can pay with any Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card.
I’d like to speak about each company in more detail.
As mentioned earlier, Michelin has partnered with FMCA for a while now. The company offers Michelin RV and passenger vehicle tires through the Michelin Advantage Program. BFGoodrich tires also can be purchased at any authorized commercial Michelin dealer that sells commercial truck, light truck, and passenger car tires.
FMCA members often share stories of how much money they save with this program. It can be hundreds of dollars per tire, which equates to big savings if you have to replace all of your tires. (Please note that the program is available only in the United States.)
Members must follow these steps to take advantage of the special Michelin tire pricing:
1. Get the specifications for the tire you need to have replaced. Keep in mind that the Michelin program covers RV, car, truck, and SUV tires. To find a price, once you know the size or MSPN number of the tire you need, click on the Get A Quote link in the Michelin Advantage section at www.fmca.com/fmca-tire-program. This tool is extremely useful and will give you pricing and every single tire that matches your search.
2. Find a local Michelin Advantage dealer. You can find a list of dealers at http://www.michelinrvtires.com/dealer-locator/#/. To purchase Michelin or BFGoodrich tires for your RV, light truck, or passenger car, you must use an authorized commercial Michelin dealer that sells all three types of tires — commercial truck, light truck, and passenger car — and accepts the Michelin Advantage Program.
3. Schedule the installation with the dealer. First, check that the specific tire you require is in stock, and make sure the dealer participates in the Michelin Advantage program. Give them your FMCA membership number. The dealer uses this as the purchase order number. You also need to give them the Michelin FMCA account number, which is available to FMCA members, along with more detailed instructions, at www.fmca.com/fmca-tire-program (must be signed in to view).
4. Call Michelin at (888) 532-6435 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time and select option 1 to preregister your credit card. To preregister your card after hours, call Michelin at (800) 847-9855. The billing is handled by Michelin and not by the dealer that installs the tires.
5. After the tires are installed, provide the dealer with your preregistered Visa, MasterCard, or American Express card to complete the transaction.
Keep in mind that Michelin quotes only the tire price and federal taxes. Any mounting, balancing, or other services the installer offers will be an additional charge. FMCA cannot quote those fees up front.
Our second tire provider is Continental, which offers the Continental Choice Program to FMCA members. As stated before, they have been part of the FMCA Tire Program for about two years. We were excited to be able to offer options to our members, and in turn members have responded. Currently, Continental sells only discounted motorhome tires in our program, though we have been exploring the possibility of the company expanding its offerings to passenger vehicle tires as well.
The process to take advantage of the Continental discount is a little different than Michelin’s. Below are the steps needed to take advantage of the Continental offer:
1. Get the specifications for the tires you need to have replaced; you will need to know the size or the MSPN. At this point, the Continental program covers only motorhome tires.
2. Use the specifications to find out which Continental tire is a match. You can do this by calling Continental at (704) 583-8889 or by accessing the pricing tool from FMCA’s tire page link. Click on the “Get A Quote” link in the Continental Tire section at www.fmca.com/fmca-tire-program. This tool will give you pricing and every single tire that matches your search.
3. Find a local Continental dealer who can do the install, and set up an appointment. Also, let the dealer know which tire you are looking for. That way, you can be sure the dealer will have the tires in stock and ready for your appointment. You can find a list of dealers at www.continental-truck.com/truck. From that page, select Dealer Locator in the top right corner.
4. When you go to the dealer, show your FMCA membership card. You will pay the dealer directly for the tires and installation.
Again, keep in mind that Continental quotes only the tire price and federal taxes. Any mounting, balancing, or other services the installer offers will be an additional charge. FMCA cannot quote those fees up front.
I am excited to announce the recent addition of Hankook Tires as a third option to our popular FMCA Tire Program, as mentioned above. FMCA members will be able to receive discounted pricing on Hankook tires for their RV, light truck, and passenger tires. This program is tentatively scheduled to be available starting in early 2019. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
When it comes to tires and FMCA, you can’t say you don’t have choices!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Enjoy the journey!
FMCA National Office Holiday Closures
The FMCA national office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23, 2018, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The office also will be closed Monday, December 24, 2018, through Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays. The office will reopen on Wednesday, January 2.