b'EDITORS NOTES BY BEN QUIGGLEAre You Managing Your Rates?If it aint broke, dont fix it. Those words are a mantra of sorts for business owners who dont want to screw up the good things happening in the moment.The outdoor hospitality industry certainly has a lot of good things going for it right nowincreased camper numbers, a record pace of new developments and expansions happening at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, that mantra can also hold back business owners to some degree. It is OK to enjoy the good times, but any business owner should also be looking ahead and finding ways to improve their business for the future.The business landscape is littered with companies that became com-placentKodak and Blockbuster are big onesand missed the boat when consumer preferences changed.In this issue, Woodalls Campground Magazine (WCM) spoke with representatives of several reservation and park management systems to get business updates and most con-versations invariably turned to rate management. Rate management is based on the idea that as demand for campsites at a park go up, so do the rates. WCM has heard from numerous owners in 2021 who say their parks are full, and that typically means it is time to raise your rates, according to the experts WCM contacted.But for every owner who has seen the benefit of rate management, there is invariably another owner who is hesitant to try it. Most cite concerns they have about upsetting campers as the main reason they dont want to make changes.Most reservation and park management companies note that while a few campers may get upset about rate changes, there are typically plenty of other campers that wont even bat an eye. They also note that once owners make the switch, most wonder why they didnt do it sooner.Why is this important? Because it is no secret that park owners are looking to expand and add more amenities and lodging units, and it is also no secret that the cost of doing so is increasing.Imagine what you could do with even more revenue coming in. Imagine earning the same amount of revenue you are making now with fewer campers in the park.Many park owners may be tempted to take an If it aint broke, dont fix it approach when it comes to rates. Why would a park owner mess with a system that brought in more money than ever before in 2021?But in this instance, it is key to take the long view.EVs are coming. Is your park ready? What about your septic system? Do you have cash in place to make improvements or even replace it if needed? Maybe you have other goals in mind and other areas that need capital improvements.As a wave of new campers enter the markethopefully to stay for the long haulpark owners need to evaluate how they can improve revenue to continue offering great experi-ences for years to come.It is time to grow and adapt, while also enjoying the fruits of your labor. WCMwww.woodallscm.com GG M E D I AVol. 52 No. 12 Dec. 2021 & GROUP LLCContact Information: EditorialSherman Goldenberg, PublisherRick Kessler, Managing Editor sgoldenberg@rvbusiness.comrkessler@rvbusiness.com Office: (574) 457-3370(734) 777-6830 Mobile: (574) 457-6637 Fax: (574) 457-8295Gary Gerard, Editorial Director ggerard@rvbusiness.com Ben Quiggle, Editor(574) 528-1275 bquiggle@rvbusiness.com Mobile: (574) 306-7781Jeff Crider, Senior Editor campinginfosource@gmail.com (760) 469-5905 Advertising:Ally Kollat, AccountWendy Thorne, Account Executive, National Ad SalesExecutive, National Ad Sales akollat@g-gmediagroup.comwthorne@g-gmediagroup.com Office: (574) 266-7980Office (574) 266-7980Art Direction:Trina Nissley, Art Director tnissley@rvbusiness.comAll general correspondence, circulation and display and classified salesinquiries may be directed to the following: Woodalls Campground Magazine, C/O G&G Media Group LLC, 2901 E. Bristol St., Ste. B, Elkhart, IN 46514. Fax: (574) 266-7984Owners, managers or marketing directors of privately held U.S. campgrounds may receive a free subscription upon request to Woodalls CampgroundMagazineone free subscription per campground. Others may purchasesubscriptions at these rates: $24.95 per year U.S. or $35.95 per year in Canada. Contact Woodalls Campground Magazine, C/O G&G Media Group LLC, 2901E. Bristol St., Ste. B, Elkhart, IN 46514. Email: rvbusiness@rvbusiness.comWoodalls Campground Magazine is published monthly by G&G Media Group LLC at the above address. 2 December 2021Woodalls Campground Magazine'