ARVC's Jeff Sims - Video Interview

ARVC's Director of Membership and Public Affairs, Jeff Sims, sat down with Evanne Schmarder to talk about his new ARVC (National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds) responsibilities, his recent epic park journey and his view on partnering with RV park and campground owners/operators - his customers.



ARVC is moving forward in so many positive ways.  Be sure and check out all the Member Benefit Providers along with all the new directions ARVC is pursuing at http://www.arvc.org/.  If you ever have questions, comments or need assistance please contact me at jsims@arvc.org or call me, Cell: 417-337-0451.

Bucket List Bull Riding

This has been a hectic month of travel going to state association meetings.  This past week at the TACO Convention I visited with Cap'n Kury from the Twin Elm Guest Ranch in Bandera, TX.  We met last year at TACO and I was wearing a pair of bull fighter boots that I purchased at the ARVC auction back in the 90's that had been donated by TACO.  For those of you who don't know what they are, they are tennis shoe cowboy boots made for bull fighters in a rodeo.  The Cap'n recognized what they were immediately and we became good friends.  His wife Victoria even tried to buy them from me.

He told me he had a new program for old guys like me that wanted to try their hand at bull riding called the Bucket List Bull Riding.  Bulls weren't quite as rank.  I immediately put that in my bucket list and then common sense kicked in about 8 seconds later and I took it back out of my bucket.

Last year I finally got the chance to work on something in my bucket list and personally visited 1,823 parks.  I had always wanted to do that.  Now in my new position with ARVC I have the opportunity to continue working for the industry that fuels my passion.  There's the old saying, "The start stops most people."  What's in your Bucket List?

Customer Service?

There is the old saying that if you have to have a sign that says, "Customer Service" you probably don't have it.  I arrived in Chicago O'Hare the other day to find my connecting flight had been cancelled.  Also I found that I had not been re booked on the next flight.  I made the trek thru the airport to find the Customer Service counter.  I was 11th in line and when my turn came the customer service agent got up and said she was taking a break.  There were now probably 50 people behind me by now and a guy way back there started shouting (he's probably still there).  I was told I would have to spend the night in Chicago and I told her that wasn't an option for me, so I asked for my checked bag and was told the only way I could get it was if I had pills in it and it was a medical emergency.  I told her I didn't and that I was not going to lie about it.  Long story short, after 20 minutes of this nonsense she handed me a boarding pass for the next flight and guess what?  It wasn't full.  Side note:  Rob Schutter with LSI & I crossed paths in WI and he asked me if I was flying again?  He said he had started to encounter quirky things on his flights and it must have rubbed off on him.  Yes Rob, I'm flying again.

March Madness?

I've always heard the term "March Madness" as it relates to the game of basketball.  Now, for me it is referring to that time of year when many State Associations hold their Annual Conventions & Meetings.  This entire month will require many of the ARVC staff to be on the road, which gives us a chance to visit with you firsthand and listen to your needs & concerns.  For me it is also a time to catch up with good friends and make some new ones along the way.  I know for many parks that this is the time of year when you are gearing up for your season.  It's easy to say, "I don't have the time."  I have a saying, "If you want to be there, you will find a way.  If you don't, you'll find an excuse."  Hope to see you there.

The Electrician

I flew out to Washington, D.C. this week to attend the Small Business Legislative Council’s (SBLC) Annual Membership Meeting.   Very unique group made up of a wide variety of Associations. 

Did you ever have that guest that used to be an electrician that took it upon himself to inspect your electric pedestal?  A little frustrating to say the least.  I used to be a private pilot and I always kept that image of the “electrician” in the back of my mind.  I boarded a plane one time and told the flight attendant to have the Captain check the aircraft’s tires because one was flat.  It really was and our flight was delayed while they fixed it.  I always make it a habit not to discuss those things with the flight crew but that one had escaped them.  When I use to take commercial flights it became so documented about the crazy things that happened that some of the ARVC members would call me to see what flight I was on so they could avoid it.  I’m not kidding.

I haven’t flown anywhere in probably a decade.  My new position with ARVC requires me to fly rather extensively so if you are on a flight somewhere around the country and you see my smiling face on the same flight just kick back & relax.  We’ll get to where we’re going eventually.  Someday I’ll write the book.

Groundhog Day

Did you ever see the movie “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray who keeps living the same day over and over again?  Sometimes running your park seems that way.                

Having been involved in this industry since I was 10 years old there are some things that I have seen over and over again.  For Example: When a group of park owners & operators get together you will always hear someone say, “ Yes, but my park is a little different”.  They are correct.  I have never seen two parks that were exactly alike.   There are many categories we use to distinguish our parks in the industry.  We use terms like ONS (Overnight Stop), Destination, Resort, Campground, RV Park, Snowbird, Long Term and the list could continue on & on.

So, how do we find the common ground for everyone in this industry?  I believe it is each parksuniqueness that makes us alike.  This is our commonality.  I know what you’re thinking, yes but there are also Small, Medium, Large, & Mega Parks to consider, so let’s do that.  I am not a respecter of size of the park.  Granted, each has a set of problems & issues they face.  It is all relative.  A Small Parks problem is just as real as a Mega Parks & visa versa when you look at them as a percentage of investment, budget, manpower, etc.

I have learned something from every category in this industry.  I got ideas that maybe wouldn’t necessarily work for me until I took that idea and molded it into something that fit my uniqueness. As the new ARVC Director of Membership & Public Affairs I will always be encouraging you to embrace the idea that it is our uniqueness that is our bond.

Still kicking the tires,  Jeff

Dear ARVC Members: My Passion is Still Burning for this Industry!!!!

I was involved in ARVC back when it was called NCOA and was located in Martinsville, IL.  A lot of time has passed but I still have that passion deep down in my gut for the RV Park & Campground industry.  I am excited to be the new Director of Membership & Public Affairs for ARVC.  Derek Dick is the new Membership Manager and he and I worked closely together last year when Susie (my wife) & I visited 1,823 parks across the country on behalf of ARVC and the Affiliated State Associations.  

What did we learn?  It is important to listen to our members and what is important to them and find ways to make their job a little better, even a little more profitable. I was involved with my family in our park for 40 years.  Have things changed over the years?  Of course, especially when I remember seeing my first 20' trailer and wondering what is next.   Sometimes I was so busy running my business I didn't have time to think about what's next.  Then one day I heard about something called the internet.  The units we accommodate have changed, the way we do business has changed and if you were like me, I did it kicking & screaming along the way.

Some things should never become outdated or go out of style.  Derek & I want to provide you with 1st class customer service.  I always asked my staff, "Is the customer an interruption in your work or the purpose of it?"  You, the members of ARVC are the purpose of our work and we will work hard for you.

-Jeff Sims