RV parks for sale & Campgrounds for sale | Parks and Places, Inc. Industry Pages

Campgrounds and RV parks as well as related industries such as RV manufacturing have become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States. Market research has grown alongside these industries to measure the growth of this diversified group of businesses. Studies and news articles address general consumer trends such as the effect of gas prices and the economy on vacation industries. All articles are credited and published with links to the content's authors.

RV Shipments Up 23%!

RV shipments in October in 2009 were up 23% from October 2008. Shipments have improved steadily since the beginning of the year. On a seasonally-adjusted annual rate, October shipments reached 216,000 units, topping 200,000 units for the third consecutive month. Lower shipments in 2009 were caused by the longest and deepest U.S. recession since the 1930s, the tightest credit conditions in several decades, job losses, falling household wealth, slower growth in real incomes, and historically low consumer confidence. Shipments are projected to total 159,500 in 2009. .. Full article

RV Enthusiasts Say Camping is the Cheapest Way to Travel
MotorHome Magazine

Ninety two percent of RV enthusiasts say it’s cheaper to stay in a campground or RV resort than a hotel or motel, and many derive additional savings by cooking some or all of their own meals, according to the latest online survey by the Texas Association of Campground Owners. More than half of the survey respondents said they save anywhere from $20 to $50 a night by staying in a campground or RV resort, with an additional 25.7 percent of respondents saying they save $50 to $100 per night. Forty five percent of survey respondents said they save even more by eating only dinner out, while 32.3 percent cook all of their own meals.... Full article

Campgrounds Are Increasingly Investing
In Fun Water Related Activities
Linda Profaizer, Pres and CEO NEWS RELEASE - National Assn of RV Parks & Campgrounds

Private parks aren’t limiting themselves to poolside waterslides. Many are investing in everything from spraygrounds and splashpads to floating trampolines, floating rock-climbing walls, floating waterslides and water balloon war games. MEXICO, N.Y., May 2009 – Most people like the idea of taking a summer vacation in a scenic location where they can simply get close to nature. But when families head to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Mexico, N.Y., roughly 36 miles north of Syracuse, they aren’t going there simply to relax in the woods. Many can’t wait for the chance to try out the park’s new “Water Wars” attraction in which opposing teams use specially designed catapults to see how much they can saturate their fellow campers. The popular attraction, which includes two opposing battle stations that would provide adequate shelter if it weren’t for their large windows and gaping roof holes, has been installed in more than a dozen private campgrounds across the country, courtesy of the Water Wars company of Pequot Lakes, Minn.... Full article

Recession-Proof: Private Campgrounds
Karen E. Klein for BusinessWeek

There are about 8,000 privately owned or operated campgrounds in the U.S. The industry is dominated by small-business and family-business owners, says Bob MacKinnon, a former Disney executive who started a campground consulting firm, MacKinnon Campground Consulting, after he retired. (He says another 8,000 campgrounds in the U.S. are owned and operated by national, state, and local agencies.) "There are mega-parks out there that have thousands of campsites, corporate players that own multiple campgrounds, and KOA, which is a franchisor with close to 500 parks nationwide," MacKinnon says. "But over 50% of the industry is still individual owners who have small parks. Many are multi-generational family owners... Full article

West Michigan RV parks expect good tourism season
The Grand Rapids Press

With just a few days to go before the Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer season, retiree Richard Sevic still has much of the riverfront at the Double R Ranch Resort near Belding to himself.
He slid his 27-foot Coachmen Chaparral into its seasonal spot, parked his fishing boat at the water's edge and set out a refrigerator on the green turf carpeting that serves as his patio. Soon, he will hang up his hummingbird feeders and plant his small garden.
"I always thought it was the best-kept secret in Michigan," said the East Lansing resident, 79, who has been summering at the campsite for three decades... Full article

Sunbelt Parks: ‘We Kept Busy this Past Winter’
Bob Ashley - Woodall's

An 8,700-square-foot historic mansion built in 1863 that is now a bed-and-breakfast is the centerpiece of Poche Plantation RV Resort in Condent, La. – pronounced poo-shay for the French-impaired -- which features 85 concrete RV sites on 22 manicured acres. And it has something that most any business in America might admire right now as the nation cruises through a bruising downturn: 100% occupancy since the day the RV park opened in 2005. “It's such a unique place, we've had no problem with occupancy,”' said proprietor Mark Anderson, who owns the plantation with his wife, Yvette... Full article

America’s Campgrounds Are Investing In Yurts
Linda Profaizer, Pres and CEO NEWS RELEASE - National Assn of RV Parks & Campgrounds

LARKSPUR, Colo., – In the late 1200s, when Marco Polo made his historic journey to the Orient, he encountered the nomadic people of Mongolia who lived in circular tent-like structures with domed roofs. Conceived in ancient times, these structures, called yurts, had wood framing and were covered with animal skins, which were stretched tightly to provide protection from the elements. The domelike roof included a circular opening at the top, which encouraged natural ventilation while allowing sunlight to illuminate the interior... Full article

RV Shipments and Sales Data
RVIA News Release

RV show attendance and sales have encouraged RV dealers and manufacturers. Dealers exhibiting at shows in Florida, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Maine reported surprising attendance and sales, which they attributed to pent-up demand and the desire of consumers to burst out of the malaise affecting the economy. Sales exceeded expectations and consumers generally displayed a positive attitude... Full article

RV Vacations Are Least Expensive, Study Finds
RVIA News Release

Even when fuel prices rise, RV trips remain the least expensive type of vacation, according to a new study comparing vacation costs. PKF Consulting, an internationally recognized consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, found that "typical RV family vacations are on average 26 to 74 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied... Full article

From park benches to park financing these companies showcase what campground product & service providers have to offer. Businesses are compiled from various sources, a portion of which is courtesy of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC). If you know of a business that caters to the outdoors industry and meets high standards of professionalism, send us an email and we will add them to the vendor list.


Advertising/Promotion Apparel Appraisals Cabins and Rental Units Consulting and Services 1031 Exchange Electrical Supplies Financial Resources Food Products and Supplies Franchisers Gift Shop Supplies			Ground Maintenance Insurance Interior/Exterior Design Goods Internet/Wireless Licensing Maintenance/Manufacturing Office Supplies Plumbing Supplies Pools/Fountains Supplies Profit Center Propane			Rec. Equipment & Supplies Reservation Systems River Tubes, Canoes & Kayaks RV Clubs/Membership Assoc. RV Manufacturers RV Supplies & Services Sanitation/Restroom Signs Staffing Services Training/Employment


			25th Annual Fort Myers RV Show Lee Civic Center N. Fort Myers, FL (USA) http://frvta.org/region1.asp January 21-January 24, 2010 Toronto RV Show & Extravanganza Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, Ontario (Canada) http://rvshowtoronto.ca January 21 - 24, 2010 Inland Northwest RV Show and Sale Spokane County Fair & Expo Center Spokane, WA (USA) http://www.spokanervshow.com/ January 22-January 24, 2010 43rd Annual New Jersey RV and Camping Show New Jersey Convention Center Edison, NJ (USA) http://www.affinityrvshows.com January 22-January 24, 2010 The Alabama RV Super Show Von Braun Center Huntsville, AL (USA) http://bkproductions.biz January 22-January 24, 2010 Iowa Boat, RV, and Vacation Show UNI-Dome_University of Northern Iowa Campus Cedar Falls, IA (USA) http://iowashows.com January 22-January 24, 2010 Mid America RV Show Bartle Hall Kansas City, MO (USA) http://www.affinityrvshows.com January 22-January 31, 2010 WNY RV Show International Agri-Center at the Fairgrounds Hamburg, NY (USA) http://wnyrvshow.com January 28-January 31, 2010 41st Annual Calgary RV Exposition & Sale BMO Centre, Stampede Park Calgary, Alberta (Canada) http://rvda-alberta.org/rvshows.asp January 28-January 31, 2010 Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show Allen County Coliseum Fort Wayne, IN (USA) http://rvshows.org January 28-January 31, 2010 41st Annual Calgary RV Exposition & Sale BMO Centre Calgary, AB (CANADA) http://www.rvshowsalberta.ca January 29-January 31, 2010 Atlanta Camping & RV Show Atlanta Expo Center South Atlanta, GA (USA) http://www.atlantaRVshow.com January 29-January 31, 2010 Atlanta Camping & RV Show Atlanta Exposition Center South Atlanta, GA (USA) http://atlantarvshow.com February 3-February 7, 2010 FMCA Southeast Area Rally Hernando County Airport Brooksville, FL (USA) http://seafmca.com February 4-February 7, 2010 Halifax RV Show Exhibition Park Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada) http://rvshowshalifax.ca February 5-February 7, 2010 Madison Camper & RV Show and Sale Alliant Energy Center Madison, WI (USA) http://madisonrvshow.com February 5-February 7, 2010 Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Sportshows Coralville Marriott Conference Center Coralville, IA (USA) http://iowashows.com February 5-February 7, 2010 Hamilton RV Show & Sales Careport Expo Centre Hamilton, Ontario (Canada) http://rvshowhamilton.ca February 5-February 7, 2010 Cincinnati RV Super Show Wall 2 Wall Sports Complex Mason, OH (USA) http://www.rvexpo.net February 10-February 14, 2010 44th Annual Detroit Camper & RV Show Rock Financial Showplace Novi, MI (USA) http://www.marvac.org February 10-February 14, 2010 46th Edition Houston RV Show Reliant Center Houston, TX (USA) http://houstonrvshow.com February 10-February 14, 2010 42nd Annual Chicago RV & Camping Show Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, Il (USA) http://chicagorvshow.com February 11-February 14, 2010 Erie RV Show Erie Bayfront Convention Center Erie, PA (USA) http://erierv.com February 11-February 14, 2010 Seattle RV & Outdoor Recreation Show Qwest Field Event Center Seattle, WA (USA) http://mhrvshows.com February 11 - 14, 2010 43rd Annual Minneapolis/St. Paul RV, Vacation & Camping Show Minneapolis Convention Center Minneapolis, MN (USA) http://affinityrvshows.com February 11-February 14, 2010 30th Annual Edmonton RV Exposition & Sale Edmonton EXPO Centre Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) http://rvda-alberta.org/rvshows.asp February 11-February 14, 2010 30th Annual Edmonton Rv Exposition & Sale Edmonton Expo Centre Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) http://rvda-alberta.org February 12-February 15, 2010 Red Deer RV Show Westerner Park Red Deer, Alberta (Canada) February 12 - 15, 2010 Red Deer RV Show Westerner Park Red Deer, AB (CANADA) http://www.rvshowsalberta.ca February 12 - 15, 2010 Northeast RV Show Rockland Community College Field House Suffern , NY (USA) http://www.northeastrvshows.com February 12-February 14, 2010 25th Annual Richmond Camping RV Expo Richmond Raceway Complex Richmond, VA (USA) http://www.affinityrvshows.com February 12-February 14, 2010 Arkansas RV Show 34th Annual Little Rock's Statehouse Convention Center Little Rock, AR (USA) http://www.dgattractions.com February12-15, 2010 48th Annual Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show Eastern States Exposition Grounds West Springfield, MA (USA) http://www.springfieldrvcampingshow.com February 17 - 22, 2010 Grand Rapids Boat Show DeVos Place Grand Rapids, MI (USA) http://www.showspan.com February 18 - 21, 2010 56th Annual Kansas Sports, Boat & Travel Show Kansas Coliseum Wichita, KS (USA) http://www.affinityrvshows.com February 18-February 21, 2010 Evergreen State RV Show Evergreen State Fairgrounds Monroe, WA (USA) http://westlakepromo.com February 19-21 & February 26-28, 2010 Maryland RV Show Maryland State Fairgrounds Timonium, MD (USA) http://mdrv.com February 19-February 21, 2010 20th Annual North Carolina RV & Camping Show Charlotte Convention Center Charlotte, NC (USA) http://affinityrvshows.com February 19-21, 2010 21st Annual Las Vegas Sportsmen's RV & Travel Show Cashman Center Las Vegas, NV (USA) http://www.affinityrvshows.com February 19-February 21, 2010 Central Texas RV Super Show Bell County Expo Denter Belton, TX (USA) http://www.rvexpo.net February 19-February 28, 2010 Ford 56th Annual Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show Indiana State Fairgrounds Indianapolis, IN (USA) http://indysportshow.com February 19-February 21, 2010 2010 Ottawa Spring RV Show Landsdowne Park, Ottawa Civic Centre Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) http://ottawaRVshow.com February 24-February 28, 2010 Tacoma RV Show Tacoma Dome Tacoma, WA (USA) http://tacomarvshow.com February 25-February 28, 2010 Salem Spring RV Show Oregon State Fairgrounds Salem, OR (USA) http://westlakepromo.com February 25-February 28, 2010 2010 Austin RV Expo Austin Convention Center Austin, TX (USA) http://austinrvexpo.com February 26-28, 2010 Rhode Island RV & Camping Show Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI (USA) http://affinityrvshows.com February 26-28,2010 21st Annual North Carolina RV & Camping Show North Carolina State Fairgrounds Raleigh, NC (USA) http://affinityrvshows.com Feb. 26-28, 2010 Northern Kentucky Camper Show Northern Kentucky Convention Center Covington, KY (USA) http://www.rvexpo.net February 26-February 28, 2010 24th Annual Hot Springs Boat, Tackle, & RV Show Hot Springs Convention Center & Submitt Arena Hot Springs, AR (USA) http://dgattractions.com February 26-February 28, 2010 2010 RV & Camper Show Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park Belleville, IL (USA) http://bcfairgrounds.net February 26-February 28, 2010 Fredericksburg RV & Camping Expo Fredericksburg Expo Center Fredericksburg, VA (USA) http://bmgevents.com March 4-March 7, 2010 53rd Annual Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show National Western Complex Denver, CO (USA) http://www.affinityrvshows.com March 5-March 7, 2010 15th Annual Atlantic City RV & Camping Show Atlantic City Convention Center Atlantic City, NJ (USA) http://affinityrvshows.com March 5 - 7, 2010 19th Annual New Orleans Spring RV & Camping Show Pontchartrain Center Kenner, LA (USA) http://bacshows.com March 5-March 7, 2010 Windsor RV Show Windsor Expo Centre Windsor, Ontario (Canada) http://rvshowwindsor.ca March 5-March 7, 2010 38th Annual New Hampshire Camping & RV Show Hampshire Dome, 50 Emerson Road Milford, NH (USA) http://nhlovescampers.com March 5-March 7, 2010 Rockford, IL Boat Show Indoor Sports Center (ISC) Rockford, IL (USA) http://showtimeproduction.net March 5-March 7, 2010 Oregon RV Show & Sale in Eugene Oregon Show Promotions Eugene, OR (USA) http://rvshowandsale.com March 5-March 7, 2010 Moncton RV Show Moncton Coliseum Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada) http://rvshowsmoncton.ca March 11-March 14, 2010 23rd Montreal RV Show Olympic Stadium Montreal, Quebec (Canada) http://salonvr.com March 11-March 14, 2010 41st Annual RV Supershow State Fair Park Oklahoma City, OK (USA) http://rvshowokc.com March 11-January 14, 2010 Manitoba RV Show and Sale Winnipeg Convention Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) http://manitobarvshow.ca March 12-14, 2010 Campers World RV Show York Expo Center York, PA (USA) http://info@pacamping.com March 12-January 14, 2010 Eastern Iowa Sportshow UNI-Dome_University of Northern Iowa Campus Cedar Falls, IA (USA) http://iowashows.com March 12-14, 2010 Columbus RV Super Show Ohio Expo Center Columbus, OH (USA) http://www.rvexpo.net March 12-14, 2010 6th Annual Virginia RV Show Hampton Roads Convention Center Hampton, VA (USA) http://www.affinityrvshows.com March 12-March 14, 2010 New England Camping & RV Show Dana-Farber Fieldhouse at Gillette Stadium Foxboro, MA (USA) http://www.naexpo.com March 18-January 21, 2010 Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show IX Center Cleveland, OH (USA) http://clevelandsportshow.com March 19-March 21, 2010 The Birmingham RV Super Show Birmingham Jefferson Convenion Center Birmingham, AL (USA) http://bkproductions.biz March 19 - 21, 2010 23rd Annual Acadiana RV & Camping Show Cajun Field Lafayette, LA (USA) http://www.bacshows.com March 19-March 21, 2010 Rockford, IL RV, Camping & Travel Show Indoor Sports Center "ISC" Rockford, IL (USA) http://showtimeproduction.net March 22-March 25, 2010 FMCA’s 83rd International Convention Expo New Mexico Albuquerque, NM (USA) http://fmca.com March 24-March 28, 2010 78th Northwest Sportshow Minneapolis Convention Center Minneapolis, MN (USA) http://NorthwestSportShow.com March 25-March 28, 2010 18th Quebec City RV Show ExpoCité's Centre de foires Quebec, Quebec (Canada) http://salonvr.com March 26-March 28, 2010 Northwest Michigan Camper & RV Show Howe Ice Arena- Grand Traverse Civic Arena Traverse City, MI (USA) http://marvac.org April 2-4, 2010 Nashville RV, Boat & Motorcycle Super Show Tennessee Miller Coliseum Murfreesboro, TN (USA) http://www.rvexpo.net April 8-11, 2010 5th Annual Pomona RV & Travel Show Pomona Fairplex Pomona, CA (USA) http://affinityrvshows.com April 9-April 11, 2010 Kitchener RV Show Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud) Kitchener, Ontario (Canada) http://rvshowkitchener.ca April 9-11, 2010 4th Annual Iowa RV & Travel Show Iowa Events Center - Hyvee Hall Des Moines, IA (USA) http://affinityrvshows.com April 29-May 2, 2010 Puyallup Home & RV Show Puyallup Fiar and Event Center Puyallup, WA (USA) http://www.mhrvshows.com May 27-May 30, 2010 FMCA 2010 Great Lakes Area Spring Spree Berrien County Youth Fair Berrien Springs, MI (USA) http://glassrally.org August 11-August 14, 2010 FMCA's 84th International Convention Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center Redmond, OR (USA) http://fmca.com August 13-August 14, 2010 Colorado RV Liquidation Supersale Inversco Field at Mile High Denver, CO (USA) http://affinitygroup.com September 16-September 19, 2010 Fall RV Show Maryland State Fairgrounds Timonium, MD (USA) http://mdrv.com September 17-September 19, 2010 Atlanta Camping & RV Show Atlanta Expo Center South Atlanta, GA (USA) http://atlantaRVshow.com September 24-26, 2010 East Texas RV Super Show Ford Park Beaumont, TX (USA) http://www.rvexpo.net October 15-October 18, 2010 Annual Fall RV Show & Closeout Sale State Fair Park Oklahoma City, OK (USA) http://rvshowokc.com October 15-October 17, 2010 Toronto Fall RV Show Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, Ontario (Canada) http://torontofallrvshow.ca

Campground Cooking

Some great RV cooking videos are being produced by the folks at the RV Cooking Show Web site.

Many more RV cooking videos are available at www.rvcooking.com.

Call 616.301.0765 - email sales@parksandplaces.com :: Copyright © 2010 Parks and Places Inc. Address :: 400 Ann St NW, Suite 211 Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Welcome \| Buy a park \| Sell a park \| About us \| Industry \| Contact Us \| Privacy Policy
Campgrounds for sale - RV Parks for sale - Resorts for sale

We are proud members of: