2014 WBCCI Membership Stats

[Luigi123]

That prior post should have read 60-70% are first time AS buyers.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Luigi123

Considering 60-70% of 2014 AS are first time buyers, I would say WBCCI has an identity crisis.

That's not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship. Airstreams aren't a "trade the old one in and buy a new one" commodity like automobiles.

I only joined WBCCI 2½ years ago. One thing I noticed right away: The only thing you get for your membership is the Blue Beret magazine and some red numbers to stick on your trailer. Seemingly everything else about the club costs extra. That turns off some folks who feel that $65 membership dues ought to stretch a little bit farther.

Granted, your membership also grants you access to a few Airstream-only parks scattered around the country. And it grants you access to a network of courtesy parking providers. But not everyone uses those benefits, either due to a lack of awareness of the benefits, inconvenient locations compared to where the new members live and camp, or whatever.

Where WBCCI has a problem isn't the fact that 60-70% of new Airstream buyers are first-timers. It's the number of first-year WBCCI members who fail to renew for a second year, on the basis of (1) "I don't get benefits that are worth the price I pay," or (2) "I don't want to deal with the politics and infighting of the organization," or (3) insert a personal reason here.

I think that most members who renew for a second year will stick with the club for many more years. But I have no clue how to make the club more attractive to first-year members so that they will renew when the time comes. And I don't think free first-year memberships alone will necessarily lead to second-year membership renewals.

Standard disclaimer #3 applies: The statements above are my own personal opinions and do not reflect the opinions of management.

[damonbeals]

The first year dropout rate for the WBCCI is no different then any other car club or social club. If you don't interest the new member in the first year you lose them, it's the same the world over.

It is really up to the Unit the new members joins. They need to invite them and make them feel welcome and get them involved. Once the new member starts having fun, then they will renew.

If you set at home or camp alone, and only read the Blue Beret, then yes your not using your $65 wisely. One would then have to ask, why did you join?

Damon
#4827

Originally Posted by Protagonist

That's not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship. Airstreams aren't a "trade the old one in and buy a new one" commodity like automobiles.

I only joined WBCCI 2½ years ago. One thing I noticed right away: The only thing you get for your membership is the Blue Beret magazine and some red numbers to stick on your trailer. Seemingly everything else about the club costs extra. That turns off some folks who feel that $65 membership dues ought to stretch a little bit farther.

Granted, your membership also grants you access to a few Airstream-only parks scattered around the country. And it grants you access to a network of courtesy parking providers. But not everyone uses those benefits, either due to a lack of awareness of the benefits, inconvenient locations compared to where the new members live and camp, or whatever.

Where WBCCI has a problem isn't the fact that 60-70% of new Airstream buyers are first-timers. It's the number of first-year WBCCI members who fail to renew for a second year, on the basis of (1) "I don't get benefits that are worth the price I pay," or (2) "I don't want to deal with the politics and infighting of the organization," or (3) insert a personal reason here.

I think that most members who renew for a second year will stick with the club for many more years. But I have no clue how to make the club more attractive to first-year members so that they will renew when the time comes. And I don't think free first-year memberships alone will necessarily lead to second-year membership renewals.

Standard disclaimer #3 applies: The statements above are my own personal opinions and do not reflect the opinions of management.

[eubank]

I agree with Damon: This is not about a drop-out rate defined by cost of dues, but it's also not really about the cost of the dues. A rate of $65+unit really isn't that much money.

What it is about, again in my opinion, is pretty much what the WBCCI is supposed to be: Fun, friendship and adventure. In my view, the current set-up is defined way too much as "friendship" while the other two are presumed without discussion to be derivative.

This is not at all to say that friendship is unimportant. It's just that the fun and the adventure are often missing as independent components of membership.


Lynn

Originally Posted by damonbeals

The first year dropout rate for the WBCCI is no different then any other car club or social club. If you don't interest the new member in the first year you lose them, it's the same the world over.

It is really up to the Unit the new members joins. They need to invite them and make them feel welcome and get them involved. Once the new member starts having fun, then they will renew.

If you set at home or camp alone, and only read the Blue Beret, then yes your not using your $65 wisely. One would then have to ask, why did you join?

Damon
#4827

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by eubank

I agree with Damon: This is not about a drop-out rate defined by cost of dues, but it's also not really about the cost of the dues. A rate of $65+unit really isn't that much money.


Lynn

Actually I think a lot of it is about the value received for the $65. dues, plus unit dues and perhaps intra club dues, Vintage club and radio club in our case.
Total, over $100 for us.

The international priced itself above what we are willing to pay when they decided full hookups only.
The Florida State rally as we knew it is gone having been replaced by a MUCH more expensive rally and no need for WBCCI membership to attend.
We have a lot at TCPC but don't need to be members of the WBCCI for that.
WE go to the WBCCI radio club rally in Orlando each year but don't need WBCCI membership for that either.
We do like both Mystic Springs and Top of Georgia but for whatever reason, our travels have not taken us to either one in years.

For us the benefit we get from the dues is minimal and the dues are higher than the other RV clubs we belong to or are aware of.
Every year I wonder if I should write that check again and go ahead and do it out of habit.
If I had just been through my first year in the club and did not have a 40 years history it is unlikely I would have stayed around for year number two

[jaydthompson]

We have been members of WBCCI since the month we bought our first Airstream, Dec 2001. We were out of the country on 9/11 and decided we wanted to travel in our country, not around the world as originally planned. (I had worked international for 10+ years in Europe, Middle East and Asia). Anyway we have really utilized the club membership by becoming active members of a unit and attending 7-10 unit rallies per year, state and region rallies, special event rallies (Galax, Sugar Creek, Statue of Liberty, Branson) and by going on caravans. Our unit has at least one nine day caravan every year, planned for those still working and to get folks into the idea of going on a caravan. We have been on 18 national WBCCI caravans ranging from two weeks long, Cajun, to two months long, Viking, Maple Leaf, Nor by Nor'East as well as shorter, Polar Bear, Great River Road, Wilder West. The caravans are a major positive reason to belong to the club as they really provide economic savings. We co-led the SW Adventure Caravan for four years and here is the comparison. We paralleled several "for-profit" caravans (Good Sam, Tracs, Fantdasy) and the difference for comparable value is major. Our caravan cost in 2013 was $4000 for 53 days for a couple. at the end we returned $400 back to each couple so the cost was $3600 or $60/day. Included in the cost were these activities, narrow gauge train ride Durango to Silverton, Tour of Mesa Verde, tour Monument Valley, jeep ride at Moab, mule ride in Bryce Canyon, in Page, Rainbow Bridge boat tour, raft ride on Colorado, tour Antelope Canyon, tour Canyon de Chelly with indian guide, Albuquerque Ballon Fiesta Rally, several other tours to museums, puebloes, churches etc. Included were 25 meals, none in a Golden Corral and all camping. Comparable cost for "for Profit" tours was $9600 for 43 days.

[jaydthompson]

actually should be $70 per day. My math skills left me for awhile

[Hans627]

Just curious if there are any stats available since 2014 relative to the number of WBCCI members?

A lot of good information about WBCCI in this thread.

[STREMN]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Just curious if there are any stats available since 2014 relative to the number of WBCCI members?

A lot of good information about WBCCI in this thread.

3 Year old thread, but I saw your post and just happened to run across an article on membership yesterday that answers your question.

From the Blue Beret/February 2017- Membership - Teresa Taylor Chairman
"January 1-December 31 2016 we have welcomed 1,911 new members into our Airstream family. Total membership as of December 31 2016, is 6,559 members. This is our highest membership since 2009."

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by STREMN

3 Year old thread, but I saw your post and just happened to run across an article on membership yesterday that answers your question.

From the Blue Beret/February 2017- Membership - Teresa Taylor Chairman
"January 1-December 31 2016 we have welcomed 1,911 new members into our Airstream family. Total membership as of December 31 2016, is 6,559 members. This is our highest membership since 2009."

I'm a little late but thanks for the info. FWIW, my DW and I decided to join the WBCCI and have asked and received 22721 as our number.

A question. I see WBCCI used as well as WBAC. Are they the same thing and can the acronyms be used interchangeably?

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by Hans627

I'm a little late but thanks for the info. FWIW, my DW and I decided to join the WBCCI and have asked and received 22721 as our number.

A question. I see WBCCI used as well as WBAC. Are they the same thing and can the acronyms be used interchangeably?

The club is still officially the WBCCI, but the name Wally Byam Airsteam Club is being used (legally) to better define who we are and what we do. The new official logo for the club uses the Wally Byam Airsteam Club name.

[Blue Pearl]

Membership update, We hit 7000 memberships July 31, 2017 and have been averaging 35 new members a week since. Some other updates, we now have a new unit in Europe with 160 members and the Wasatch Utah has just hit 60 members as a 2 year old Club. The "new" Southeastern Camping Club which in 2014 had 35 members is now over 100 members. This club is growing and changing, We have some fun new Caravans like the Bourbon Trail and Landmarks West Coast. The club is working on New Special Events including Urban Rallies and Adventure Rallies. This isn't the same club it was 3 years ago.

[Hans627]

That's great news, I think! Most people want to be part of something that is growing and popular. Just curious about what has changed that seems to be drawing more members?

[Blue Pearl]

Yes it is great news, the club is growing, I think, because we have been listening to our members and giving them what they want, great rallies, good friends and lots of fun. Our Leadership last year was AZflycaster who has been a Forum moderator for years and really had the pulse of the Airstream owner and pushed us forward, the current President is also looking at the Airstream owner and concentrating on the Airstream experience. I'm pretty excited about the club, we have a lot going on, Many of our newer members are excited about the club and are volunteering to be head Party Planners of their local club. Our local clubs around the US, Canada and Europe are working on some pretty awesome rallies. Besides Airforums we are very active on other social media and working on Member Benefits. I think all of these things are working together and show that this is a pretty good club to be part of.

[kendrick.l.j]

As a new member I can tell you why I am debating whether to continue with my membership. I joined because I wanted to be able to join a caravan with experienced Airstream owners. Since this is the first year I have owned any RV I thought traveling with experienced RVers would be safer and more fun than going alone. However the caravans are all booked up, some years in advance. I am on 4 standby lists for 2018 caravan season, I bought my Airstream in December of 2017. I might be able to join a caravan in 2019. For me, that took all the excitement away. By the time 2019 rolls around I am pretty sure I will have figured most of this stuff out. Two years to wait for adventure and fun seem like a long way off.
In my case, I have learned much more from the forum, which is free than I have from the club.
I have signed up for the international rally in Salem , OR which will be my first rally and now I am a little concerned that it will end up being all political and stuff so instead of being really excited I am rather hesitant to even go.
The view I have expressed are my alone from my personal experience so far.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by kendrick.l.j

I have signed up for the international rally in Salem , OR which will be my first rally and now I am a little concerned that it will end up being all political and stuff so instead of being really excited I am rather hesitant to even go.

A lot of the rally is business. That can't be helped. The club is a registered non-profit organization and is required by tax laws to hold two business meetings a year.

At least WBCCI wraps their business meeting in a rally, so that those who aren't directly involved in running the club can have fun while they're there.

You can skip all of the business-related events and attend just the fun events. That's exactly what I intend to do in Salem. My first two Internationals, I was a Unit officer, and had to take part in the business events— even when they conflicted with the fun events. At Salem, I intend to avoid the business-related events like they were poison.

[wkerfoot]

Lauri,

Rather than wait for a caravan to learn about your Airstream, contact a local unit and attend one of their rallies. You will find many knowledgeable members who will be glad to share information. Regarding the International Rally, come by the VAC (Vintage Airstream Club) tent and enjoy the people and the daily happy hour. You can even join the VAC, you don't need a vintage Airstream only 1) an Airstream, 2) want to have a good time and 3) $20.

Please drop by and say hi.

Bill

Originally Posted by kendrick.l.j

As a new member I can tell you why I am debating whether to continue with my membership. I joined because I wanted to be able to join a caravan with experienced Airstream owners. Since this is the first year I have owned any RV I thought traveling with experienced RVers would be safer and more fun than going alone. However the caravans are all booked up, some years in advance. I am on 4 standby lists for 2018 caravan season, I bought my Airstream in December of 2017. I might be able to join a caravan in 2019. For me, that took all the excitement away. By the time 2019 rolls around I am pretty sure I will have figured most of this stuff out. Two years to wait for adventure and fun seem like a long way off.
In my case, I have learned much more from the forum, which is free than I have from the club.
I have signed up for the international rally in Salem , OR which will be my first rally and now I am a little concerned that it will end up being all political and stuff so instead of being really excited I am rather hesitant to even go.
The view I have expressed are my alone from my personal experience so far.

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by kendrick.l.j

As a new member I can tell you why I am debating whether to continue with my membership. I joined because I wanted to be able to join a caravan with experienced Airstream owners. Since this is the first year I have owned any RV I thought traveling with experienced RVers would be safer and more fun than going alone. However the caravans are all booked up, some years in advance. I am on 4 standby lists for 2018 caravan season, I bought my Airstream in December of 2017. I might be able to join a caravan in 2019. For me, that took all the excitement away. By the time 2019 rolls around I am pretty sure I will have figured most of this stuff out. Two years to wait for adventure and fun seem like a long way off.
In my case, I have learned much more from the forum, which is free than I have from the club.
I have signed up for the international rally in Salem , OR which will be my first rally and now I am a little concerned that it will end up being all political and stuff so instead of being really excited I am rather hesitant to even go.
The view I have expressed are my alone from my personal experience so far.

I agree with wkerfoot … don't wait for a caravan to get involved. In my opinion, it's all about the Unit. That's where you are going to get lots of information, support and fun. And that's where you can best developed friendships. Rallies are the heartbeat of our unit. What we do beyond the unit is icing on the cake and you can do as much or as little as you want. We love our unit (4CU) and we are always excited to arrive at the next rally and reunite with our Airstream friends. Who knows… perhaps you can put a unit caravan together. We held a two-legged rally where we met at a state park for a few nights then caravaned to another park for a couple more nights together … a mini-caravan, if you will, to give folks a taste of what it might be like to make a larger/longer caravan.

Good luck and if you are ever in the SW check to see what the 4CU is up to and join us for a great time!

[Blue Pearl]

Lauri,

I would check out the Airstream Clubs around Titusville, both the Florida Airstream Club and the Treasure Coast Club for a rally to go to. Being a member of the Airstream club lets you join any club event of any unit if they have room. I checked the website of both units and the Florida Airstream Club has a rally Sept. 18 in Crystal River, Fl and the Treasure Coast Club has a rally Nov 2-5 in St. Augustine, Fl. I know members in both clubs and they will answer all your questions and you'll have a great time. Check out the Floridaunit027.wbcci.net and ftcu.wbcci.net websites.

I also know you'll have a great time in Salem. They have a lot of seminars planned along with some great tours. A very small percentage of members are involved in the meetings at International and like Pro said, the club has to have the 2 meetings to keep the State of Ohio happy but the general membership just enjoys meeting members from all over the US, Canada and maybe this year some of our Europe members.

[kendrick.l.j]

Thank you all for the advice. I will be looking into a local Unit and I assume I can be a member of more than one unit by paying unit dues. This does sound more like what I had hoped to find. I did some recent poking around on the internet and found a caravan group of single ladies, (widowed, like me, or divorced or just never got around to that ) in the Orlando area that go on caravans several times a year, of course they were not all Airstream's but that might be something to try as well.
Thanks again for the advice.