b'COVID -19 Crisis More CoveragePgs. 20-31COVID-19 Crisis Forces Cancellations of a Number of Spring ConferencesThe coronavirus (COVID-19) cri- situation,accordingtoGregKatt,sis has impacted campground own- ARVC Michigans executive director. ersandstatecampground Theeventhadoriginallybeenassociations in unprecedented ways scheduled to take place from Marchand some state association confer- 22-24 at the Soaring Eagle Casino &ences were forced to cancel.Resort in Mount Pleasant, Mich.Below is a list of associations that Mid-Atlantic: TheMid-Atlanticcanceled/postponedtheir2020 Coastal States Campground Confer-spring conferences enceand TradeShow (MAC)was NCA: In an email issued March originallyscheduledtotakeplace13, Cyndy Zbierski, executive direc- March16-18attheDoverDownstor of the Northeast Campground Hotel & Casino in Dover, Del.Association (NCA), announced that While the conferences board hadtheupcomingNortheastConfer- originallyplannedonhostingtheenceonCamping hadbeencan- conference, Joann DelVescio, execu-celled. tivedirectoroftheNewJerseyPer todays order by the governor CampgroundOwnersAssociationofMassachusettsbanninggather- (NJCOA), which organizes the event,ingsof250ormorepeople,the said that Delaware Gov. John Car-Northeast Conference on Camping neys State of Emergency declarationscheduled for March 19-21 is can- had made it impossible to hold thecelled. This is so disappointing as The Mid-Atlantic Coastal States Campground Conference was forced to cancel after a event.Network & Grow was ready to be a governors order limiting group sizes. NJCOA, however, did host a webi-tremendous event, Zbierski stated. nar that was presented by PatrickThe Northeast Campground As- Hardy, CEO of Hytropy, a disastersociations board of directors will be lenging times, she added. grounds (Arizona ARVC) board of preparedness firm. The topic was,discussing all options over the next NCA was contacting attendees to directors voted to cancel its spring HowtoPrepareYourParkforweeklooking forward to a time seewhethertheywouldliketheir convention, but Jo Anne Mickelson, COVID-19.when we can meet again in person registration credited toward the next co-executivedirectorofArizonaFlorida ARVC:The Florida Asso-and carry on the tradition of which event,donatedtoFriendsofthe ARVC, told Woodalls Campground ciationofRVParksandCamp-NCA is so proud. We are so disap- NCA, or refunded. Management(WCM)inanemail grounds(FloridaARVC)andpointed that our 56th March eventArizona ARVC: The Arizona As- that the board may try to reschedule AlabamaAssociationofRVParkswill not happen due to these chal- sociation of RV Parks and Camp- the annual convention toward mid- and Campgrounds (Alabama ARVC)September or October. have canceled their joint spring con-The Northeast Campground Association is contacting vendors and attendees about They will be holding a meeting vention, which had previously beenregistration fee refunds after its conference was canceled. soontomakethatdecision,ex- planned for May 13-15 at the Dou-plained Mickelson. bletreeHiltonatSeaWorldinOr-The event was set to be Arizona lando, according to a press release.ARVCs 45th convention. It was orig- We held off as long as we couldinally going to run April 21-22 at the from changing our May 2020 confer-Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino in Laveen, ence and expo dates, but unfortu-Ariz. natelywehavenochoicebuttoFor more information, call (800) reschedule the event due to obvious946-4452.reasons:thevirusandescalating ARVC Michigan: The Michigan travelingdifficulties,saidBobbyAssociation of RV Parks and Camp- Cornwell, executive director of bothgrounds (ARVC Michigan) Board of associations. Over the next week orDirectors made the decision to can- so, we will be working out the detailscel ARVC Michigans Spring Confer- with the hotel and the speakers andenceandExpo inresponseto try to find the most appropriate placerecommendations from the state of and time to reschedule the confer-Michigan regarding the coronavirus ence and expo.Ben QuiggleWCMState Associations Move Spring Conferences to Fall Dates The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has health concerns of everyone involved, ex- The meeting was originally scheduled to Schaeffer, TACOs ex-impacted campground owners and state plained Kelley. take place March 24-25 at the Wilderness ecutivedirectorandcampground associations in unprecedented The summit was originally scheduled to Presidential Resort in Spotsylvania, Va. The CEO. We want every-ways. take place April 1-2 at Launch Pointe Recre- fall conference will still take place at the re- one to be able to relaxUnfortunately, many spring conferences ation Destination and RV Park in Lake Elsi- sort. and have a good time.were forced to postpone as the spread of nore. The Fall Summit will still take place at Our goal is to keep the schedule the TACOs annual con-COVID-19 created the need for social dis- Launch Pointe and will feature educational same, but we will keep you updated as we ventionalwaysin- Brian Schaeffertancing rules that impacted the number of seminars, a trade show, networking opportu- getclosertoSeptember,themessage cludes important legalpeople who were allowed to gather.nities and live entertainment. stated. If you are registered to attend, are a and legislative updates and guidance for CampCalNOW:The CampCalNOW RV We are counting on vendor support to supplier at the trade show, or a speaker park operators on everything from risingParkandCampgroundAlliance has help us prepare a successful Fall Summit, she please contact VCA to let the association property tax assessments to credit checksrescheduled its Spring Summit to Sept. 29- said. On Sept. 29 well have an opening cere- know if you can still attend in September. and guest expulsions.30tomaximizeattendanceandavoidmony, a networking dinner, a musical perform- You can contact VCA by calling (703) 291- We always provide updates on topicscoronavirus impacts, ance, and a campfire. 0657. that directly affect park operators busi-accordingtoCamp- The supplier tradeshow will commence atTACO: The Texas Association of Camp- nesses, which is why our shows are al-CalNOWsPresident 1 p.m. on Sept. 29 and continue through Sept. ground Owners (TACO) has rescheduled its ways well attended by park operators andDyana Kelley.30. Educational seminars will also take place annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow to vendors alike, Schaeffer said.We are reschedul- Sept. 30. Aug. 18-19, according to TACO officials.The venue and format of the Aug. 18-19ing from spring to fall To learn more about the summit head to The event was previously scheduled to show will be the same, Schaeffer said,Dyana Kelley becausewewantto campcalnow.org. take place May 5-6 at The Lone Star Conven- adding that a variety of educational semi-maximizeattendanceVCA: The Virginia Campground Associa- tion & Expo Centerin Conroe. nars and panel discussions will also takeand ensure that we have a successful tions (VCA) Annual Meeting has been post- We are moving our Spring Meeting to place. Updates involving speakers, semi-summit that benefits everyone in atten- ponedtoSept.22-23,accordingtoVCAs summer out of an abundance of caution for nars and the daily show schedule will bedance. Were also trying to support the Executive Director Emily Peck. all of our members and vendors, said Brian announced soon. Ben QuiggleWCMWOODALLSCM.com May 2020-3'