b'State Associations Look Forward to 2021; ForeseeIncrease in Member Dues Because of COVID WorkBY JEFF CRIDER cellation of the spring convention andWhile the COVID-19 pandemic has tradeshowanditsreschedulingformade 2020 the wildest rollercoaster ride April2021hasre-ever for private park operators, it has sultedinatempo-also been the toughest year in history rarysuspensionoffor state campground association direc- theassociationstors. marketingcam-They not only worked around the paign,whichin-clock during the early months of the cludesitspresspandemic to have campgrounds and releases. RV parks declared essential businesses The2021Con-and to provide park operators with crit- Jo Anne Mickelson vention will be heldical information to guide their safety, at Vee Quiva Hotel & Casinoin Laveen,sanitation and social distancing proce- outside of Phoenixthe same venue asdures, but most of them had to contend was scheduled for 2020.with the cancellation of conventions They were happy to work with usand trade shows that serve as their pri- and transfer our deposit to 2021, Mick-mary revenue-generating source. elson said, adding that billing for the as-Despite these hurdles, campground sociations membership dues began inassociations have not only weathered October.State association leaders focused on helping park operators reopen during the Spring monthsthe storm, but they are gearing up for a One of the owners of seven parks in and are now working to ensure members re-enroll for 2021.busy 2021 and are counting on park op- Arizona did call me in June and gave userators to renew their memberships so a great compliment, she added. Hethat they can continue their work to said we were his lifeline during this groundAlliance PresidentandCEO participantswillbeinterestednextprotect park owners business and reg- pandemic. That made us feel like we Dyana Kelley said the pandemic has spring, she said. I do not anticipateulatory interests as the pandemic con- were on the right path in helping out forced her to postpone this years Sum- doing a virtual show. However, I wouldtinues. members. I have also sent out lots of mitto next spring but, income-wise, the like to reinstate the regional meetings ifWoodalls Campground Management info about evictions, upcoming events association is doing I could make that happenone per(WCM) took a closer look at the impact and the new year. We have been fortu- OK.year, per region, with a few speakers. Iof COVID-19 on state campground as- nate to get new members to join us this Allthevendors amworkingonthelogisticsforthatsociations and what they have planned year. David Schenck, our co-executive who had paid for a now.for the coming months:director, has done a marvelous job of booth will be auto- Financially, however, Kelley is morevisiting all our parks and new ones as matically registered, concerned about advertising for Camp-ARIZONA well during the year. so that income has CalNOWs website and printed campingJo Anne Mickelson, co-executive di- just been deferred.It guide. rector of the Arizona Association of RV CALIFORNIA willremaintobe I am not sure who or what busi-Parks and Campgrounds, said the can- CampCalNow RV Park and Camp- seen how many new Dyana Kelley State Associationscontinued on page 1816 -January 2021Woodalls Campground Management'