Convention Site Selection
A host of factors go into choosing the location for an FMCA event, and it’s never as easy as it may seem.
National President
Rett Porter
rporter@fmca.com
Many of you ask how we decide where to host FMCA conventions, and why we go to Perry, Georgia, and Gillette, Wyoming, so often. Like all RVers, we enjoy traveling to new places, but when it comes to FMCA conventions, we seem to return to the same locations. Even though we repeat sites, we have different themes, seminars, and entertainment each time. When you read Chris Smith’s column this month, you will see what a wonderful time we had in Perry this past March during FMCA’s 13th visit to the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter.
Several factors are considered as we decide where to hold each FMCA International Convention and RV Expo. FMCA hosts two conventions annually: one in the winter/spring (late February to March) and one in the summer (mid-July and later). An important component of the summer convention is a meeting of the FMCA Governing Board. The Governing Board is composed of a national director or other voting representative from each chapter plus the 14 members of the FMCA Executive Board. The FMCA Bylaws direct that the Governing Board will convene at an international convention each year. The four nationally elected officers (president, senior vice president, secretary, and treasurer) serve two-year terms and are elected by the Governing Board in odd-numbered years (2023, 2025, etc.). The summer conventions in these years are set toward the middle of the United States, so that national directors from the eastern and western areas will be similar distances from the voting location.
Taking all the above into account, we begin to look at facilities that can support our requirements for a successful convention. We need land to handle 2,000 or more RVs (approximately 4,000 individual attendees). We need 6 acres for a holding area to stage RVs prior to them being parked. The convention site must have buildings to support 100 to 125 seminars for four days. If the FMCA Governing Board is meeting, we need a space for 400 people, with a stage that will seat six to 10 individuals. An entertainment area must be available, and depending on weather conditions, this could be an inside arena or an outdoor grandstand. An indoor exhibit hall with approximately 60,000 square feet and a 5-to-7-acre paved area for outdoor RV displays are needed. Buildings are the main driver of convention site selections, because without them, we must rent tents, which cost more money and are not as comfortable.
One major issue involves state laws that impact RV sales. Each state has laws governing companies that can sell there. Most states have restrictions that give priority to dealerships operating within the state versus companies coming from another state and selling similar products. These laws generally were passed to protect auto dealerships, but in many instances RV dealers fall under the same laws. And we want commercial member companies to be able to display RVs and to sell them to attendees during FMCA conventions.
Research regarding laws has been done by the FMCA staff and a map created to depict the status of each state as it relates to sales by out-of-state dealers. We have labeled them as “green” states where they can sell; “yellow” states when they have some restrictions; and “red” states where out-of-state dealers can’t sell at our conventions. As you can see from the map, this limits the options. This map was created several years ago and is used as a guideline when considering a site. Further research is done as needed before signing a contract.
Both the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry and the CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities in Gillette have plenty of buildings, parking, and cooperative laws for vendors. Gillette also has more than 1,500 full-hookup sites. When we don’t have to put down electric lines and use generators to power them, FMCA saves money and our members are happy with the conveniences of full-hookup camping.
Although events in Perry, Georgia, tend to be successful, members often ask why we don’t move the convention so that it’s a week or two later and snowbirds can stop by on their way back north. The answer is that FMCA hosts an event in Perry every other year, so annual shows that take place at the Georgia National Fairgrounds during the time we’d prefer to be there receive priority in terms of scheduling.
Finding a good location for an FMCA convention isn’t like making a reservation at a local campground. The FMCA Convention Committee and FMCA events director Doug Uhlenbrock try to contract for locations years in advance. Sometimes potential sites are not available for the time we desire, or contracted sites suddenly become unavailable due to conditions beyond our control. If we can contract with a facility for multiple years, then costs are reduced, allowing more funds for events.
If you have ideas for possible locations that meet the criteria I’ve mentioned, then please contact Doug (duhlenbrock@fmca.com), as we are always looking for new convention sites. In addition, if you know of vendors that would be good for us to have at an international convention, then send an email to Tina Henry, event sales rep and coordinator, at thenry@fmca.com with the company name and contact information.
I hope this gives you some perspective on the process of finding locations for an FMCA International Convention and RV Expo. Many places look possible, but they may not have the 12 to 14 open days in their schedule for us to come in, set up, hold the convention, and then break down. We often think we are the only group requiring this type of event location, but they are in high demand and hard to find. We are always looking and hope you will keep us in mind when you come across a facility you think we should consider.
Until next month, safe travels.
You’re Invited!
With so many great reasons to attend an FMCA international convention, you definitely should make plans to join us in Gillette, Wyoming, this summer.
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Smith
csmith@fmca.com
After a week and a half in lovely Perry, Georgia, for FMCA’s 106th International Convention & RV Expo, I am back in the office in Cincinnati, and it’s time to write my monthly column. From my perspective, the event in Perry was an absolute success. The positive vibes from the attendees, exhibitors, and volunteers inspired me to devote this column to talking about the experience of an FMCA international convention. If you have not yet attended one, my hope is that this will encourage you to do so soon.
An FMCA convention officially consists of four days brimming with an action-packed schedule. The unofficial timeline begins much earlier than the official dates of the event, however. FMCA staff members, member volunteers, and the show-decorating team arrive on-site seven to 10 days before the event starts. Once you understand everything that goes on, it makes sense why they must show up that early.
For one, FMCA offers educational opportunities before the official event starts.
One of them is RV Basics. This 2½-day course is led by knowledgeable instructors who tell you everything you need to know about an RV. In Perry, 86 people registered for the course. Conducted in a classroom-style setting, RV Basics covers a variety of topics. More information can be found at www.fmca.com/academy.
A second early educational opportunity is conducted in conjunction with the RV Driving School and includes both an RV Driving and an RV Backing component. Participants can sign up for one or both training sessions. The RV Driving class is for those looking for hands-on instruction that will give them the knowledge and confidence they need to drive an RV. The two-day course includes four hours of classroom learning followed by four hours of driving instruction in your own RV. The RV Backing course is geared toward learning how to maneuver your RV into tight places from multiple directions. It involves two hours of classroom work and 3½ hours of individualized backing and parking training in your RV. More information is available at www.fmca.com/rv-driving-school.
A third educational opportunity comes in the form of seminars. During the four-day event in Perry, FMCA hosted 145 seminar sessions. Topics ranged from trip planning, RV tours, and picking the best RV insurance or roadside service plan to FMCA member benefits and even genealogy! A plethora of seminars related to RV maintenance and operation took place as well, touching on Cummins engine maintenance, towing, suspensions, RV appliances, tire safety, and much more. Everyone in attendance should be able to find something that interests them, and seminars are one of the main reasons attendees come to FMCA events.
Another major reason for attending an FMCA convention is the RV Expo portion of the event and the exhibitors who participate. In Perry, there were 277 vendor display spaces. Whether you wanted to tour the newest RVs, to buy an RV component, or to have minor service done on your RV, it was all available in one place.
One final reason for attending a convention is spending time with fellow RVers! FMCA was founded on the idea of connecting with other RV owners. I am amazed at how friendly and cordial FMCA convention attendees are, and I marvel at the lifelong friendships they strike up at FMCA gatherings.
If you have not been to an FMCA event, I strongly urge you to consider signing up for FMCA’s 107th International Convention & RV Expo, which will be held August 23 through 26, 2023, at the CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities in Gillette, Wyoming. You can register online at FMCA.com; by phone at (800) 543-3622; or by mail using the form that appears on page 65 of this issue.
Make an adventure of it and visit Devils Tower, Keyhole State Park on the western edge of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, or many other attractions before or after the convention. Isn’t that what RVing is all about?
Contact An FMCA National Chaplain
Chaplains Connection Line: (833) 458-0778
Email: chaplains@fmca.com
The mission of FMCA is to bring together RV owners who share similar interests in congenial traveling, recreation, and social activities in order to preserve and perpetuate the traditional ideals and spirit of friendly and wholesome family fellowship as manifested by the founders of FMCA.