Let’s Grow!
A look at FMCA membership, the RV marketplace, and what members can do to help our association thrive well into the future.
By Rett Porter, F369084
National President
rporter@fmca.com
Let me start out by telling you that my wife, Claire, edits my column before I send it off to the FMCA staff in Cincinnati for publishing. When she read this month’s column, she told me it was “dry.” Yes, I agree some might consider it dry, but it is very important for our members to know about this topic. I hope that you read on, get the point, and become inspired to help make FMCA better and larger.
As I attend FMCA events around the United States, many people ask, “How many members do we have in FMCA?” Remember that FMCA issues numbers to our families, so the membership figure we often quote represents the number of RVs, not the number of people within the membership. On May 23, 2022, our number of RVs was 74,869, of which 8,124 were towable RVs. If we figure two people per membership, this would equal approximately 150,000 individuals in FMCA. Yes, we know that some members travel alone, and we even have a chapter called Singles International. Other RVs are enjoyed by families traveling with children.
FMCA’s member RV count has remained between 74,000 and 75,000 for the past two years. Why is this? It’s because even though we continue to add new members, we also lose some along the way. The primary reasons members leave FMCA tend to be age and health conditions.
When I became a member of FMCA in 2004, the average age of our members was 64. In the beginning of 2021, the average age was up to 72. This year the average age has dropped to 71. What is causing the change in average age? Research from the RV Industry Association (RVIA) shows that the age breakdown for RV owners now is evenly split between those who are over 55 and those who are under 55. The average age of RV owners is now 48.
In 2017 the FMCA Governing Board made the decision to welcome owners of towable RVs. Leadership believed that if FMCA was going to survive for many years ahead, then we needed to recruit more members, including younger members. Then and now, more towable RVs were being manufactured and bought than Class A, B, and C motorhomes. According to a University of Michigan study, more than 11 percent of U.S. households headed by 35-54-year-olds own an RV, exceeding the 9.3 percent ownership rates of those 55 and over.
Over the past five years, ownership of towable RVs within FMCA’s membership has gone from 0 percent to 10.8 percent. With the number of towable RVs growing within the membership of FMCA, it’s expected that the average age of FMCA members will continue to decrease. A lower average age should enable FMCA to keep the association’s expenses for the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program lower and help to keep FMCA vibrant and growing, which in turn will allow us to develop more benefits for our members.
There are over 11 million RVs in the United States. A recent RV Industry Association (RVIA) survey showed that 72 million Americans plan to take an RV trip within the next year. In fact, RVIA estimates that more than 9 million families plan to buy an RV within the next five years. Many RVers are renting an RV to take their vacations each year. According to a PKF Consulting Firm study, a family of four can save between 27 percent and 62 percent in travel costs over traditional vacations.
With so many RVers in the United States and Canada, we need all our members to recruit to increase our numbers. FMCA members make up less than one percent of the total number of RVers. As a member of FMCA, you are the best recruiter. Look on page 26 of any issue of Family RVing to find an FMCA enrollment form. Use this form to sign someone up as a member, and you will receive a $10 voucher to use toward the purchase of FMCA merchandise, your membership dues, or an FMCA convention or area rally registration.
Give a membership to family members and friends who have RVs (www.fmca.com/giftfmca). While staying in RV parks, look for the FMCA membership plate on RVs, and if you don’t see the FMCA emblem, ask the occupants whether they are FMCA members. Help us grow so we can help others. And be sure to renew your own membership; you can extend your dues up to a maximum of three years.
We not only want to keep FMCA growing, but we want to share information about all the great benefits FMCA offers our members. We want the 99 percent of RVers who aren’t FMCA members to be able to take advantage of the FMCA benefits and discounts. Let’s change “the best kept secret in RVing” into THE organization to join for benefits, fun, education, friendships, and all the other great aspects of the amazing RV lifestyle.
Get Social With FMCA
Tips for staying connected with your association and your RV friends via a wide variety of social media platforms.
By Chris Smith
Chief Executive Officer
csmith@fmca.com
The beauty of RVing is that there are always new places to see and new people to meet. And in today’s technology-filled world, it is easier than ever to plan trips and to stay connected with family and friends no matter where we roam. Technology also can help you stay in touch with FMCA and your FMCA friends. I invite you to join your fellow FMCA members on social media.
Facebook is one of the most popular social platforms. “Like” our page at www.facebook.com/fmcafans and join our 53,000-plus followers. This is a great way to stay updated on FMCA news, as we post updates about member benefits, events, and more. We also host monthly Q&A sessions via Facebook Live, the platform’s real-time video program. Sometimes we interview one of FMCA’s benefit partners, and we also host informational sessions related to FMCA’s international conventions. Members have found our Facebook Live Q&As very informative, and many enjoy asking questions in real time. If you can’t participate in the live session, you can view the videos at your leisure after they are posted.
Be sure to join the conversation via the FMCA group on Facebook: RVs & Camping – On the Road with FMCA (www.facebook.com/groups/fmcarvclub/). Facebook groups differ from business pages in that they allow users to have detailed discussions. Think of it as a “virtual campfire” — a place to gather online and chat. Join the FMCA group today to interact with fellow RVers, conveniently from your Facebook account.
RVillage
Have you heard about RVillage? This site was created by RVers for RVers. It offers hundreds of groups to join based on geography, RV club, RV model, interests, and more. Be sure to join the official FMCA group (www.rvillage.com/group/830/family-motor-coach-association). The site has a map feature that allows you to “check in” to RV parks or even FMCA event sites. When you create your profile, grab your FMCA badge so other members can find you.
Do you take pictures during your travels? Many RVers share their journeys via Instagram, which is a photo-based platform, and
a great source to visit for inspiration and to find a new destination! When you upload a picture, you can “tag” the photo’s location and add “hashtags” to make it easier for others to search. I encourage you to follow FMCA’s page (www.instagram.com/fmcarvclub) and tag your pictures with #fmcaRV to share with the community. If you’ll be at our Lincoln, Nebraska, convention in August, please use hashtag #fmcaNE22 to share the fun. You also are invited to send photos to the FMCA marketing team by email at marketing@fmca.com or via direct message for a chance to be featured on FMCA’s Instagram page.
Twitter is a popular platform for many, including the RV community. Oodles of RV families have created their own Twitter accounts where they post their adventures. Each message consists of 280 characters or less. On our page (www.twitter.com/fmca_) we share breaking FMCA news and industry news. Especially during FMCA events, we use Twitter to share last-minute updates (time changes, weather alerts, etc.). Tweet us using hashtag #fmcaRV.
DIYers and crafters, this is the social platform for you! You literally can spend a whole day surfing Pinterest for RV ideas — remodels, upgrades, camping recipes, campsite decorations — the list is endless. Follow FMCA’s page (www.pinterest.com/fmcarvclub) for ideas on tailgating, traveling with pets, closet organization, and more.
YouTube
Did you know FMCA has a YouTube channel? Subscribe for free at www.youtube.com/fmcaonline and watch videos about RV product reviews, FMCA events, DIY advice . . . you get the idea. The list goes on and on.
Commercial members, this one is for you. We know you’re busy running a business. You may be using LinkedIn already to post jobs or to network, and you can stay in touch with FMCA that way, too. We post updates related to commercial members on our page (www.linkedin.com/company/family-motor-coach-association). Follow us.
FMCA Forums
You may be familiar with this invaluable resource at https://community.fmca.com, but I always like to remind members:
Join 60,000-plus users to troubleshoot tech issues, obtain advice about towing options, explore RV modification ideas, and more. Post your questions and also chime in with your advice. If you have an RV question, this is THE place to ask. I encourage you to reach out to your FMCA family — that is what family is for.
FMCA Mobile App
Apps exist for almost anything you can think of these days. Have you downloaded the FMCA app? It’s available for iOS and Android devices. For more information, and to find a QR code to take you right to the FMCA app on the appropriate app store, visit www.fmca.com/fmca-rv-club-app. Stay connected with FMCA and your benefits no matter where you roam and regardless of whether you have an internet connection.
Yes, FMCA has a presence on all these networks. We don’t expect you to follow us on each platform (no complaints from us if you do, though), but we hope you at least follow us on your favorites. Social media is a great way to stay connected with the FMCA community, to swap stories, and to learn about breaking news. We know you love reading our magazine and monthly e-newsletter; social media is another chance to stay in touch with FMCA.
I hope to see your tweets, follows, likes, posts, pins, and views.