Members and Friends
This is that special time of the year to celebrate various holidays, family get-togethers and for some, catch up on the deferred stuff in our home or vacation properties. Here in Northern California, we’re still camping, enjoying the local secret that winter is amazing on the coast, while at the same time looking forward to getting on the road again to distant places. I could not say it better than the Thanksgiving message from our HQ office in Ohio:
As we prepare to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family we want to take a moment and let you know that we are thankful for you! You are the reason we do what we do – organizing international events and providing a cornucopia of member benefits. We love to see the spirit of this community flourish and want to thank you for being a part of it.
In this President’s Corner:
- How’s our Club Doing?
- How’s the RV Industry Doing?
- Courtesy Parking now at our HQ in Jackson Center, OH
- Upcoming International Rallies
How’s our Club doing?
It’s pleasing to me to see the continued growth in our Club, especially given the general cultural shift away from participation in organized social groups. Last month, with 9,986 memberships (just shy of 20,000 members), our Club eclipsed a 25-year-old membership level not seen since 1999 when our Club had 9,755 memberships. This translates to an average of more than 200 new memberships per month (a high of 325 new memberships in July 2024). But more importantly, we continue to have a retention (renewal) rate in the mid-80%. Our “exit surveys” also show us that the top reason members do not renew is that they have sold their Airstream and/or are unable to continue traveling with their Airstream.
Congratulations to all of you who continue to make our Club a place where Airstream owners find their (our) community and value. But let’s not rest on our laurels – let me know if you have ideas that can improve the membership experience and/or ideas for new activities, partnerships or member-services.
How’s the RV Industry Doing?
Mixed, I’d say. We’ve seen consolidations and restructuring in some of the large RV manufacturers, and even RV Clubs. Most of it seems related to the “post-COVID bubble” sales slowdowns, but due to its unique brand image and quality, it’s pleasing to see Airstream Inc performing better than most, if not all, other brands. But as we step back from what “Clubs” are doing, we should be reassured that the overall camping industry is still going strong. This means more opportunities to strengthen our Club through ensuring future generations can enjoy what we have experienced for the almost 70 years of our Clubs existence.
One of the best market-research reports on “camping” comes from KOA, who holds 500+ campgrounds across the US and Canada, serving more than one million camping families each year. KOA’s Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report is an industry-leading, annual research initiative that details North American leisure travelers’ camping and outdoor travel preferences and trends.
“Through our decade of research, we’ve seen camping evolve from simply being considered an outdoor activity to becoming a formidable segment of the travel marketplace,” said Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA. “Despite all the changes over the last 10 years, one thing remains constant: even more people see the importance of connecting with nature. Heeding the call, outdoor hospitality offers countless ways for a broad range of travelers to have one-of-a-kind experiences with those who matter most.”
Insights from KOA’s 2024 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report
- The human element is a significant factor in the outdoor hospitality experience, with 87% of leisure travelers agreeing that outdoor hospitality must incorporate human interaction.
- Over the past decade, the number of camping households increased by 23%, while active camping households increased by an impressive 68%.
- Glamping emerged as a new camping experience, attracting 15.7 million entrants into outdoor hospitality in the past five years alone.
- Since 2014, there has been a 98% increase in households that camp three or more times annually.
- Close to half of campers in the last two years are under 35 compared to just 30% of total campers in 2014.
- Shift in ethnic diversity: 39% of campers are not Caucasian versus 23% 10 years ago.
- Looking ahead (The Next 10 Years): Recent trends prioritize the level of services and amenities offered, especially at full-service campgrounds and outdoor resorts. This evolution has captured a new set of guests from the traditional leisure travel sector who previously stayed at hotels and resorts yet want an outdoor experience.
It’s a fascinating report and I encourage you to look in-depth (2024 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report). These campers are a superset of our members, and the trends KOA sees can also be seen in our membership and what we need to be aware of to stay vibrant and relevant in upcoming years. And I love the Airstream on their front “cover” (!). Also, if you love market research like I do, also take a look at their report on “Campground Modernization”. As an aside, being a two-EV family (plus a huge diesel truck!), we found the section on EV charging stations quite interesting.
- Nearly one-fourth of campers own an EV (24%), compared to only 4% of non-camping leisure travelers. Four out of 10 EV-owning campers say they are more likely to camp at campgrounds that offer charging stations.
- It is also interesting to consider that 29% of EV and prospective EV owners tow or plan to tow an RV using their EV.
Courtesy Parking at our HQ in Jackson Center, OH.
It’s “Live”. Use our Courtesy Parking powered by Harvest Hosts to reserve free camping spots behind our Club office in Jackson Center, OH. New to Courtesy Parking? Check out our blog article on “How to Use ACI Courtesy Parking Powered by Harvest Hosts”.
Current Club Strategic Priorities
- Internal Communications
- External Communications
- Welcome and Retain Members
- Infrastructure (buildings and software)
- Training at all Levels
- Financial Literacy and Sustainability for IBT Members
Upcoming International Rallies
- Rally2025: York, PA (August 23-28, 2025)
- Rally2026: Minot, ND (August 22-27, 2026)
- Rally2027: Due to popular demand, “Back to Rock Springs,” WY (June 2027)
- Rally2028: Tentatively east of the Mississippi
That’s it for now!
Looking forward to seeing you all down the road, and let me know if you have ideas for our Club.
Eric McHenry
International President / BRN 153 // Amateur Radio callsign AA6EM
