It’s RV Show Season!

RV Shows are a great place to begin your search for local reputable RV dealers.  RV Shows in this area are scheduled for January & February when dealerships are slow. 

RV Shows provide you the opportunity to see newest models and talk to dealerships that you may not have heard of, and reduce your expenses and time by not having to drive to different dealerships.  As a customer you can see and compare prices, brands, layouts, and more with one stop shopping.  However, there is always a huge range of quality & prices.  So when comparing units, make sure you’re comparing the prices of like models of differing brands.  One RV may look like another one, but you need to compare the options, construction, equipment, and features they both have to offer. See who offers the best deal but remember if the dealer isn’t reputable or isn’t equipped to work on the RV, or is located too far away to conveniently return the RV for service, your purchase may not turn out to be the best deal.  Don’t be afraid to talk with other RVers at the show. Many of these people have years of RV experience and knowledge of different products and dealerships.  Most will be honest and tell you when and where they’ve gotten the best deals & service.        

Buying an RV from a local reputable dealer insures you the best possible service, convenience, and shortest distance to travel for maintenance, repairs, & warranty work. 

It is always a good idea to visit the dealership’s physical location before you buy, check out their service department, service hours, etc.  In addition, many RV dealers offer show discounts and sometimes manufacturer rebates are available.  So not only do you save money with the one stop shopping, but there are huge savings in the purchase prices!

Show specials also sometimes include discounts or coupons from campgrounds.  So, your new RV sometimes comes with savings to use it, too!

For more information about local RV Dealers who have partnered with campgrounds in Western PA who offer $500.00 in free Camping and a chance to win another $500 of free camping with the purchase of a new RV in a Very Special Camper (VSC) Contest, visit our website at:  http://www.meadvillekoa.com/Discounts.html

RV shows aren’t just for RV dealers to showcase new and used RVs.  RV shows offer a wealth of information on the whole RVing industry.  Most campgrounds & RV resorts are slow or closed for the winter.  RV shows allow campgrounds to showcase new activities, special events, new amenities & long-term (sometimes called seasonal camping) availability to potential campers.  Make sure you stop by their booths and find new places to explore and exciting things to do with your family this summer!   

You can also find information for aftermarket RV products, RV accessories, RVing insurance, Camping or RVing Clubs, Discount Clubs, pick up brochures, camping directories for your state and more! 

Even if you don’t intend to by an RV, you can learn about cabin camping!  Many people think of camping as ‘roughing it” with a tent, the ground, the rain, and a less than pleasurable “vacation”.  This is no longer the case.  For the price of a motel room, most campgrounds are now supplying cabins.  Prices vary by campground and the amenities offered.  Camping cabins are generally the least expensive.  They are generally one room with beds and a table.  Cottage Cabins may offer kitchenettes, or a few more amenities, and camping lodges are deluxe facilities with full kitchens and bathrooms.  So, there is no need to own an RV!  You can enjoy the luxury of RVing with a camping vacation in a cabin and not miss any of the campground recreation programs and planned activities! 

Why not pack up the family for a fun winter-day activity and attend one of the local RV shows in your area.  Invite a friend to come along, and enjoy a day of looking forward to a summer camping season filled with friends & fun at these RV Shows: 

Ohio RV Super Show, January 4 – 8, at the I-X Center, Cleveland, OH.  Show Hours: Wed. – Fri. 1 pm to 10 pm, Sat. 10 am to 10 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.  Ticket Pricing: Admission is $12.50/person.  Children 12 & under are free, and you can get a 2-Day pass for $20.00.  $2.00 discounts coupons for admission are available on their website at:  http://www.ohiorvshow.com/!

Pittsburgh RV Show January 14 - 22  At David Lawrence Convention

Center, Pittsburgh, PA!  Show Hours: Saturdays: 10 am - 9 pm, Sundays: 10 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday: 5 pm - 9 pm.  Ticket Pricing: $10.00 for Adults, $9.00 Senior (55+), $8.00 Children under 13,  One dollar off Discount Coupons are available online at http://www.pittrvshow.com/pages/home.php!  For More Information Call (724) 446-1046.  We're raffling off FREE Tickets on our facebook Page!  "Like" us at www.facebook.com/MeadvilleKOA 

Erie RV Show Feb 9-12 At the Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, PA!  Show Hours: Thursday 2 pm to 8 pm, Friday Noon to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 7pm, and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.  General Admission: Adults $4.00, Children 10 & Under Free, and FREE PARKING!  More info online at: http://www.sportandtravelexpo.com/rv/homepage.aspx

 

We invite you to attend any and all of these RV Shows!  Stop by the Meadville KOA Campground booth and tell us hello, and that you received your invitation from my blog!  We hope to see you there!    

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Meadville KOA Campground.  Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251.  Kampgrounds of America, celebrating its 50^th Anniversary in 2012, is now the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public family campgrounds.

     

Thank you for Camping at Meadville KOA and for your vote of confidence!

In case you haven't seen it in the paper, on the web, on our website, Facebook or Twitter acounts, we had a great time at the National Outdoor Hospitality Convention in Savannah Georgia, and at the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Convention in Erie, PA!

These conventions are opportunities for us to see other parks, adopt best practices, take continuing educational classes, and of course spend time with other campground owners and discuss the state of the industry.

At the National Convention, we were presented our first "A" Rated Award!  We are very proud to have been rated by our customers on Guests Reviews as an "A" Rated Park!  Of the 2,000 campgrounds who participate in the program, only 44 earned an "A" from their customers.   This places Meadville KOA in the top 2% of campgrounds nationally!  You can read more about this award on our Announcements Page!

We were recognized at both the ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo held in Savannah Georgia & at the Pennsylvania Campground Owners (PCOA) Convention Held this week in Erie PA for acheiving our initial CPO Certification from the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).  What is a CPO Certification? It is a Certified Park Operator Certificate. It is part the 2nd stage of achieving an Outdoor Hospitality Executive Certification Education Program. The program is administrated by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), and we received credits for graduating from the National School of Campground Management Graduates Program at Oglebay, WV; attending KOA University; and attending Continuing Education Classes at ARVC & PCOA Conventions. 

At the KOA (Kampgrounds of America) Convention held in November in Las Vegas, Meadville KOA was presented the KOA President's Award.  The Preseident's Award is based upon a combined score from KOA's inspection of our campground and our customer's satisfaction survey responses.  This was our first year with KOA, and we're very proud that we've achieved the President's Award our first season with KOA.

At the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Convention, we were again recognized for our "A" Rating Awards & CPO Certification.  We believe that our state organization is doing a great job at promoting education for campground owners in Pennsylvania.  As a matter of fact, of the 44 campgrounds with "A" Ratings nationally, 10 of them were PA Campgrounds!  That is a great acheivement!  It made us very proud of our state and fellow campground owners that so many of us have achieved these ratings!  What it means for our camping customers is that they have some great campgrounds to choose from in Pennsylvania! 

The most important part of all of these awards is that they are votes of confidence from you, our camping customers.  Those are the best ratings we'll ever receive!  Thank you for camping with us and for taking the time to respond to our Reviews and Customer Surveys. 

We cannot begin to tell you how very blessed we are to have so many great camping families who camp with us.  We greatly appreciate your partonage of our campground and sharing your family camping experiences with us.  The photos of your smiling children and families having fun, are treasured memories to us, as we hope they are to all of you!  Visit our photos page and see if we caught you having fun! We truly treasure taking and putting these photos & videos online!  We think that we enjoy them almost as much as the kids do! 

We've put together our Events Schedule for 2012 that we hope you'll find full of fun, family activities!  We sincerely hope we'll see you in 2012!  We thank you for camping with us at Meadville KOA!  And, we sincerely appreciate your taking the time to send us your "A" Rating!  Thank you! 

January starts the RV show season, and we sincerely hope you'll stop by the booth and say hello!  We look forward to seeing you then.  Don't forget, we'll be with the other KOA Campgrounds Booth!  We're looking forward to seeing you! 

Until then, from our home to yours, we wish each and every one of our camping families and friends a very happy & blessed holidays! 

Sincerely,

Tim & Robyn Chilson, Owners 

Tim & Robyn Chilson Own and operate Meadville KOA.  You can contact us at 814-789-3251.

 

  

  

Go Camping In October!

"The events and activities are winding down at Meadville KOA (Kampgrounds of America) by the time the month of October arrives," according to campground owner, Tim Chilson, “but there is still great camping weekends remaining this camping season."

"We're nearing the end of the season and October 8^th is our last event weekend of the camping season," Chilson said, "but we've discounted the camping prices, which makes it even more affordable for people to get out and enjoy the wonderful fall festivals like the the Pioneer Steam Show in Saegertown and Franklin Applefest on Oct. 8 Weekend, and Conneaut Lake Area Pumpkinfest on our last camping weekend of the season this year, Oct. 15.  If you’re into haunted attractions, Ghost Lake runs every weekend now through the end of October.  Not only can you enjoy those wonderful autumn festivals, haunted attractions, and the fall foliage, but the cool evenings provide wonderful opportunities to enjoy an autumn evening campfire and some warmed apple cider and s'mores!" Chilson went on to add, “There are autumn driving tours in the area that maximize your fall foliage viewing as well.  They are provided on the Crawford County Visitor’s Bureau website.” (http://www.visitcrawford.org/assets/pdf/fall_drivingtour.pdf.) 

Many RVers, according to Chilson, use October as a perfect time to travel and enjoy the foliage. "With gas prices lowered, fall festivals, and fall foliage at its’ prime, it's a perfect time to get outside, enjoy the beautiful autumn weather remaining, and do some camping," Chilson added.

Meadville KOA is rated in the top 5% of campgrounds nationally and hosts 165 camp sites, 4 camping cabins (which includes two, lake-front deluxe lodges), seven fishing ponds for catch and release fishing (no license required), a swimming pool, a creek for wading, a hiking trail, volleyball, basketball, soccer & ball field, horseshoe pits, jumping pillow (Saturdays only), pedal karts, paddle boats, mini golf (open to the public), planned activities, themed events, hay wagon rides, and more!

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Meadville KOA (Formally Brookdale Family Campground) in Meadville, PA. Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251.