How do you host a convention during a pandemic? FMCA found a way.
By Robbin Gould, Editor
Photos By Lindsay Prince, Graphic Designer
May 2021
FMCA’s 102nd International Convention & RV Expo was filled with much of the good stuff attendees have come to expect at such gatherings: commercial exhibits, entertainment, seminars, and special events. Watching attendees go about their day, it sometimes was difficult to realize how much was different about the “Another Day In Perrydise” convention, held March 10 through 13, 2021, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry.
As we know, the past year has been anything but normal, thanks to the global pandemic. Individuals, companies, and organizations such as FMCA were impacted. When COVID-19 cases began to escalate in March 2020, FMCA was forced to cancel its 2020 conventions in Tucson, Arizona, and Lincoln, Nebraska.
But when the calendar page flipped to 2021, and news reports spoke of vaccines and early downward-trending COVID numbers, the possibility of holding the Perry convention grew. In January, FMCA’s Executive Board determined it was a go.
“My position from day one was that if we could meet all the safety protocols of the CDC and the local authorities, then I would be in favor of holding this convention,” said Jon Walker, FMCA national president. When FMCA personnel and member staff visited the site and met with fairgrounds officials, “they reported back to me that they felt everybody was on the same page with safety and protocols. That’s all I needed,” he said.
Despite many safety precautions, attendees reveled in the picture-perfect weather and enjoyed convention festivities — almost like normal — with their fellow RVers.
A Dozen Does It
“Another Day In Perrydise” was the 12th FMCA convention held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. The association’s first gathering there occurred in 1996.
This year, the event posted smaller than typical numbers, likely because of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. The RV count was 1,362 and included 1,160 family RVs and 202 commercial RVs. Sixty-two family Passport attendees also were on hand.
Ironically, these numbers may have contributed to the success of the convention.
“It’s funny, but usually our job is to bring as many people to the convention as possible, get them together in big groups, and encourage socializing,” said Doug Uhlenbrock, FMCA’s director of events. “But for this show, we had to do the opposite. We didn’t want large groups, and we certainly didn’t want folks shoulder-to-shoulder. Having a smaller number of attendees helped make it a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone who came to Perry.”
Similar to previous Perry conventions, attendees felt a warm Southern welcome – right down to the “Welcome Home FMCA” message on the fairgrounds’ marquee. Although March weather in middle Georgia can be unpredictable, Mother Nature seemed to smile on this event. After the morning chill disappeared, days were clear, dry, and warm. Hints of spring were evident.
Protocols In Perrydise
To ensure the safety of family attendees and commercial exhibitors, FMCA put numerous safety measures into effect. Attendees were asked to sign a waiver indicating they would abide by them. As a state facility, the fairgrounds itself posted signs advising visitors to be aware of potential risks.
Betty Duncan, national vice president, Southeast Area, the host area for the convention, wore numerous hats. One involved working with volunteers, including those who distributed welcome bags. “Because of social distancing, welcome bags were filled ahead of time and handed out as attendees arrived on the grounds,” she said. “By the last day, all the greeter volunteers said they enjoyed meeting the arrivals.”
Masks were a mandate. Hand sanitizer was plentiful throughout the grounds, and hand-washing stations were installed near buildings. Social distancing was evident in many places. For example, indoors, “pods” of chairs were set up in seminar rooms and in Reaves Arena for evening entertainment and other events. Venues housing the Ice Cream Social and other popular activities had extra space between tables to avoid crowding.
Indoor exhibit areas had lower capacity limits posted and one-way traffic flow. Attendees entered the buildings through one door and exited via another. Aisles were widely spaced. Six-feet floor markers reminded attendees to remain separated.
“The primary focus was on the safety and comfort of everyone involved,” Doug Uhlenbrock said. “I wondered how our protocols would be received. But I was so proud of the way our attendees responded.”
Paperless technology also played a role. After arriving at the fairgrounds and being guided to a parking site by volunteers, RVers used an online link to enter their contact information, vehicle details, and location — in case it was necessary for FMCA officials to reach them quickly. FMCA’s event app was available for download onto attendees’ smartphones and other devices; it supplemented the printed pro-gram and was updated continually. FMCA’s text-messaging service sent reminders, updates, and more to those who signed up.
Another factor contributing to the event’s success may have been that numerous attendees already had received one or more COVID-19 vaccines. The question of who had been vaccinated was posed to audience members on the first night of evening entertainment and in the Orientation for First-Time Attendees. Overwhelmingly, a show of hands indicated a majority at both.
FMCA member Sandra Richard was typical of many folks who came to Perry, saying she did so with “no qualms.” She had received her first vaccination before the convention. As a security volunteer, she manned the entrance door to an exhibit building. “Usually everybody has been very good about wearing masks,” she said. As though on cue, a gentleman walked by without one. “Can you put your mask on, sir? It’s important that we make sure you’re safe.” He complied cheerfully.
RV Learning
The first wave of students began their education prior to the start of the convention. Attendees who had signed up for the RV Driving School and RV Basics received a couple days of in-depth education about the operation and care of their homes on wheels. In the former session, folks received driving instruction in their own vehicles. The RV Basics curriculum discussed systems and components.
“To me, it’s important for FMCA to be educating our members to be the best drivers out there,” noted Gaye Young, national vice president, Eastern Area, who also chairs the association’s Education Committee. The Perry facility offered plenty of space to hold these sessions, she added.
Approximately 100 other seminars focused on technical, travel, info/technology, lifestyle, and FMCA topics. They included an “Ask The Experts” panel, discussions of RV caravan destinations, custom Google Maps, RV retirement options, and national officer roundtables.
Exhibits
Commercial exhibitors also exercised caution. In the Roadmaster display, hand sanitizer, extra masks, and cleaning wipes were plentiful – and used often. “Kind of like the Boy Scouts, you have to be prepared for everything,” David Robinson, vice president, said.
At Briter Products, president Avanti Llawani reported similar precautions. “We were more cognizant of our distance to people, whether we were working in their RV or at our booth,” she said.
Outdoors, the RV displays stretched along one of the fairgrounds’ picturesque lakes. And with attendees touring the models, Don Gephart, REV marketing manager, also noted safety measures. “We had our display units sanitized throughout the day and had multiple hand sanitizer stations placed in the display.”
Many exhibitors reported considerable success in Perry. Roadmaster’s Robinson spoke of attendees’ “pent-up interest” in buying. “I also think there’s some pent-up interest in socializing and getting out and being with people and talking with their peers,” he added.
Fun And Games
Of course, it wouldn’t be an FMCA convention without a lengthy list of things to do. Attendees could fill the hours with as many or as few activities as they wished.
Coffee hour, a convention staple since FMCA’s first gatherings, proceeded — but with a few twists. Gloved volunteers placed doughnuts in paper bags for easy pickup from tables, and coffee was served by fairgrounds staff to eliminate touching of equipment. In the same building, FMCA’s Frustrated Maestros reprised their convention role as morning entertainers.
The Maestros also performed at the Ice Cream Social. For that event, volunteers placed packaged ice cream and utensils on tables for attendees to pick up quickly.
The Ladies’ Luncheon attracted close to 350 women. Fewer seats were placed around the banquet tables for this event, and tables were spaced farther apart. The meal included a local treat: Georgia peach cobbler. The ladies also enjoyed door-prize giveaways and a special appearance by “Rosie the Riveter,” a.k.a. interpreter Carol Cain, who told of the famous World War II recruitment campaign that encouraged women to join the workforce.
Attendees also competed in the Beanbag Toss tournament. Men and women alike showed their prowess, throwing bags to rack up points.
The FMCA Whisker Games drew a group of gentlemen who competed for the title of best facial hair in two categories: full beard and goatee. The grand prize winner was Wayne Bittner, selected by judges Gaye Young and Glenda Milner.
FMCA staff member Brooke Grow led three FMCA Trivia Challenge sessions. Each day, the questions centered around a different theme: FMCA, RVs, and “TV Land.”
Folks who like bicycling had an opportunity to ride along with FMCA chaplain Jim Hollis, an avid bicyclist himself. He led nighttime rides around the grounds. He also teamed up with interested riders for longer outings.
What better way to work out the morning kinks than doing so while raising funds for a charitable endeavor? FMCA’s “Magic Mile” walkathon took place one gorgeous, sun-splashed morning. Walkers and runners, including some four-legged participants, traversed the fairgrounds. Their registration fees were matched by FMCA. Later that day, Jon Walker presented a check for $1,200 to representatives from the HALO Group, a local organization that assists adults with special needs.
FMCA members answered the call for used eyeglasses and filled a box for donation to the Lions’ Foundation Eye Program. Some also contributed to Freedom Fidos, a veteran-founded group that provides no-cost service dogs to disabled veterans and first responders.
Music, Mirth, Magic
After opening ceremonies on Wednesday evening, March 10, comedian Jeff Allen made the crowd chuckle with his clean, family-friendly humor.
Thursday evening, those who enjoy “oldies” had a nice trip down memory lane as Malt Shoppe Memories took the stage. They also performed on Saturday afternoon. “Teenager In Love,” anyone?
Country star Josh Turner, who had been scheduled to appear at FMCA’s Tucson convention in March 2020 before it was canceled, brought his hits to the Perry stage. In fact, this was the first live performance for Josh and his band in more than a year.
Saturday evening featured The Grapevine, a band that delivered tunes from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.
As for the “magic” mentioned above, Mike Fuller displayed sleight-of-hand skills and included audience members in his daytime act.
The Volunteer Effort
It’s important to note the impact FMCA volunteers have on conventions. Hundreds work in security, seminars, parking, and other areas. Volunteers, we thank you!
“I attended volunteer meetings, letting them know how valuable they were in the success of this event, as our conventions could not be held without them,” Betty Duncan said.
Success!
“I think this was the best Perry convention I’ve experienced,” Jon Walker said. “Everybody was positive, most everybody wore their masks, and they followed the protocols. They helped everyone else out.”
“It was nice to have a normal-type event, even with the masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing. It was nice to see people having a great time,” commented Ashley Brown, commercial sales director at the fairgrounds. He added that many attendees stopped members of the fairgrounds staff and said thanks for letting FMCA hold the convention.
“Believe me, we were glad to have you,” he said.
“The Spirit Of Wyoming”
The convention train motors next to Gillette, Wyoming, for FMCA’s 103rd International Convention & RV Expo, July 7 through 10, 2021. The event will take place at CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities.
To learn more about the “Spirit Of Wyoming” convention, refer to the form in this issue of the magazine, or visit FMCA.com.
Lost And Found
Items turned into Lost and Found during the convention were brought back to the Cincinnati office. Contact FMCA’s Events Department to inquire about missing items: convention@fmca.com, (800) 543-3622.