Post Company Closures & Resizings, Motorhome
Rally Times are Still the Best of Times!
There was a heyday in
the motorcoach club rally world – it was about 6-7 years ago. It was a time of
bigger and better event with lots of freebies financed by the company. A rally
world where manufacturers were still cranking out motorcoaches in large production numbers per model year, and suppliers were stepping up to “sponsor”
the perceived “company's rally events” with large checks each year. This enabled minimal rally fees for the attendee to pay ($195 per
coach). The lion’s share of the costs of an event were picked up by the
manufacturer and the manufacturer’s major component suppliers who "co-sponsored" the rally.
That was B.T.R.
Before the Recession.
Alas
the RV industry was struck by the recession. Many RV Manufacturers closed their
doors, bankruptcy sales were held. Country Coach, LLC was one of those
companies. Other companies and dealerships and component suppliers thankfully survived. By necessity they have reinvented their
businesses with much smaller footprints, smaller annual production projections, and
smaller budgets, with smaller “club event support” budget line items.
Today’s RV manufacturers are much leaner
companies who cannot and will not write the big checks to clubs to offset the
costs of first class rallies. And with this occurrence,
the rallies of “then”, those rallies that were teeming with freebies and
gimmes, and complimentary service, and more…well, they too have been replaced
by a ‘new normal’. Rally masters now run a
leaner, tighter ship, with a smaller budget. Fees charged to attendees are more in line with actual out of
pocket costs that a club must pay for that event.
Though it costs a few dollars more to attend
a motorhome rally, there is still no better place for seekers of FUN! Where else can you congregate in a group
setting with people of the same interests, passions, and enthusiasm for this
great lifestyle? Where else can you enjoy multiple days of seminars, shopping,
sight seeing, and evening entertainment and great meals! Then you return each night
to the comfort of your own bed in your beautiful home on wheels.
Rallies are still THE place.
The place to make new friends. The place to
reconnect with old friends. Learn a few new tips about your coach and its
components. Take in some lifestyle or craft classes. Take a few tours. Enjoy
social hours and great evening meals together. Good live entertainment. Great opportunities
to spend time with the major RV service providers, dealers, and suppliers. And
lots of times to play with your friends. Make memories.That’s STILL what a
rally is all about.
Country Coach Friends Inc is one club whose events still are reminiscent of those "glory days" of rally fun. Though smaller in size CCFI delivers quality, a
fun rally, and without cutting the corners, without sacrificing the club
rally experience we love. Over the years it’s what you have come to expect when motorcoachers gather. And it’s what you deserve!
If you haven’t
attended a CCFI Rally, I’d encourage you to put the 2014 FRIENDSHIP RALLY on your
itinerary. It takes place just in front of the Family Motor Coach Association’s
Show in Redmond Oregon. The 4th Annual CCFI Friendship
Rally August 4-8, 2014 is open to all brands of motorhomes. …
Held in Albany, OR it will
have plenty of outstanding business sponsors there on site presenting seminars,
helping you with minor service issues, and lots of opportunities to enjoy this
great lifestyle together.
Join the fun! www.CountryCoachFriendsIncorporated.com
