RIV and price

[ronmarabito2002]

All:

I placed a call to Brenda Rogers today, but have not heard back
from her. Probably won't. She might not recognize me by name, but
that's O.K.. The purpose of the call is try and get an explanation
of the price increase this year. Not sure what she will have to
say, but I have some observations that I think should shed some
light on what appears to be a problem between Owners and the factory.

I have attended the RIV for the last 6 years and have seen the
attendance as high as 525 coaches. The last few years it has been
down to about 350 coaches. As one of our astute members pointed out
earlier today, we can attend a FMCA Convention for about 1/5th the
cost of the RIV. FMCS offers more seminars, more displays and more
vendors. Go figure. I predict that the attendance at this years
RIV will be down significantly if the trend I see keeps up. I know
right now of 17 coaches, people I know, who are going to miss the
RIV and most will probably attend our rally accross the highway. If
this trend covers the U.S., surely it would mean a drop in
attendance at the RIV of easily more than one hundred coaches.

From my point of view, $485 is completely out of line and makes
the RIV not worth it for the following reasons:

1. We want to visit with friends, but we can do that almost
anywhere, including across the highway for a lot less.

2. For many of us with experience and BB ownership for many years,
the seminars are simply not very informative and are mostly re-
hashing of old information. True, they are good for the newby.

3. Last year they cancelled the golf tournament. This was
important for my attendance.

4. Meals are O.K., but about 5 years ago they were significantly
better and the service was outstanding. We had wait staff at every
table. You didn't have to serve your own drinks.

5. The Town Hall Meeting, which has been held the last 2 or 3 years
has produced little or no results for the Owners. It appears, when
the meetings are over, BB simply throws the notes away and continues
on their path of ignoring the input.

6. They did away with the Donut Wagon. (Was a super morning event)

7. There has been a noticable drop in Vendor Participation.

8. There has been no coach service for the cast few years.

Are we destined to see the older coaches completely cut out from
any participation and support from Wanderlodge? Is the Family of
Friends to once again become the snob group they once were? Do we
all have to be millionaires to be recognized as important?

As I said above, it just isn't worth the price of admission and
my hope is, the factory will wake up and realize they are alienating
a large group of owners.

If I hear from Brenda Rogers, I'll give you a report.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
Wanderlodge Forum Moderator