We will post updates this page on a monthly basis so you can have at least a glimpse into what’s happening in the SDCOA office.
SEPTEMBER thru DECEMBER:
- Processed the 2020 membership renewals and newcomers, renewing 32 members and adding three newcomers (see the Member News).
- Lined up the data for the 2020 printed camping guide.
- Attended the Board Meeting for the Visitor Industry Alliance (VIA), where we discussed upcoming legislative affairs, the January Governor’s Tourism Conference, and other matters.
- Held the Autumn Gathering events in Rapid City and in Sioux Falls.
- The Board of Directors met to catch up on business since spring and prepared for autumn and winter business.
- Began implementing our marketing programs for 2020, especially those offered through the four regional tourism associations.
- Met with Representative Goodwin and provided the industry’s information regarding a bill on limited liability. He is expecting to announce the bill in the upcoming legislative session.
- Submitted a letter in support of ARVC’s Tentative Interim Amendment as a formal request to change the existing code language regarding GFCI protection on 30- and 50-amp RV electrical services.
- Attended the Glamping Summit USA and ARVC’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo.
- Worked on the 2020 camping guide and its distribution plan.
- Continued to collect dues from campground and supplier members.
- Performed the reconciliation process with ARVC to ensure both organizations launch 2020 benefit packages for our members.
- Established a page where we’ll share information about legislative issues within Colorado (Denver and local issues).
- On that note, I encourage you to post something on our business Facebook page that tells others what your business has gained from your membership! There are many more followers on that page than there are park owners in our membership.
- Deactivated a member who didn’t renew, and prepared to launch the 2020 benefits for all who renewed or joined as new members for 2020.
AUGUST:
- Prepared for the 2020 membership dues renewal and membership drive for new members. These were to launch on 8/1 until I put the breaks on the plan because your full focus should be on your offices during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Stay tuned. They’ll go out in the first full week of August and reminders will be sent a few weeks later.
- Distributed 2020 membership dues renewal notices by email.
- Launched the 2020 membership drive for new members by email and mail.
- Announced the upcoming Glamping Summit / USA, invited members to register with special SDCOA member pricing, made my travel plans, and designed our 10’x10′ booth.
- Began working on the 2020 Camp S Dakota Guide.
- Made my travel plans for November’s ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo.
- Coordinated and announced our 2019/2020 calendar of events, and informed ARVC and Woodall’s Campground Management of them.
MAY – JULY:
- Created plans to have a booth at the Glamping Summit in Aurora (Denver) CO. We’ll share more about this event in the coming days.
- Created the benefit packages for all of our members (industry suppliers, associate and regular).
- Launched the membership drives for industry suppliers.
- Reached out to Representative Tim Goodwin so we could begin preparing for legislative action on behalf of our members. This arrangement originated during the last legislative session and took steps forward during our annual conference in May.
- Kept up with Ed Miller’s updates on the issue of Sturgis ambulance service that negatively impacts some of our members. Although Ed is our President, making it common for him to be involved, this issue was directly impacting his park.
- Reviewed the 557 photographs that are used on on our website. The goal was to ensure we were optimizing our coding for search engines. It’s a tedious task but it’s nice to have it finished!
- Cancelled plans to represent our members at the FMCA International rally in Minot ND due to lack of sufficient interest in our pay-to-play option.
- Wrote and distributed a press release after our annual meeting.
- Continued with our social media posts on our association Facebook page and our camping Facebook page. If you haven’t already liked and followed these, please do!
- Continued with the distribution of our camping guide. This time of year, most of these are individual requests from our website.
- I published two blog posts that might be of interest to you. Here’s one on professional affiliations. Here’s a more personal one in the name of transparency (no worries; I’m greatly improved over what I was a few months ago).
APRIL:
- Continued our efforts to assist campground owners in the Sturgis area in opposition to a proposed ambulance tax (more details here).
- Published our May conference details.
MARCH:
- Monitored and worked on various state and local legislative issues. Coordinated our efforts with other agencies and with our Executive Committee. See more details here.
- Maintained CampSDakota.com and our social media posts.
- Began visiting with industry leaders to participate in our May conference.
- Began orchestrating our May conference details.
FEBRUARY:
- Monitored and worked on various legislative issues and attended multiple committee public hearings. Coordinated our efforts with other agencies and with our Executive Committee.
- The Board of Directors met on 2/13/2019, where we focused on the 2018 financials and formalized our 2019 budget. The programs and projects for 2019 are geared toward strengthening the association for YOU, our members! SDCOA is nothing without YOU!
- Processed the 2018 IRS tax form.
- The Board approved participating in the 2019 Christmas at the Capitol event again. Did you know this event made the list called 9 Most Dazzling Christmas Trees Around the World?! Scroll down to see our 2018 tree (we defined “Enchanting Christmas” as camping under the stars).
JANUARY:
- Deactivated benefits for non-renewing members and activated them for the new members (this task doesn’t have a magic switch; there are more than a few dozen steps per member).
- Launched our 2019 social media marketing programs and Wednesday Coaching emails.
- Attended the 2019 Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
- Outlined the February meeting of the Board of Directors.
- Closed out the 2018 financial books.
- Worked to recruit more industry supplier members.
- Outlined our 2019 tentative budget (it’s always tentative until after the spring conference revenue is known and the new Board of Directors takes the helm).
- Received our supply of the 2019 campground guide and and handled most of its bulk distribution.
