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Tom Randall · 01-14-2007, 12:53 PM

I just became an owner. Why did I buy a used Airstream? Many reasons...but first and foremost was this website. I could post a question and get an honest answer, guidance etc. Well, I became a contributing member....(have to have my AIR sticker) and I am ordering my AIR numbers from a member here. I plan on displaying them with pride.... And I plan on joining the local WBCCI... yep, for the red numbers and the local directory and local events.... if 1 airstream shows up.... bet we still have a good time! Young or old!! My attitude is simply.. it starts with me. I also got a trailer because if I am somewhere I don't like.... or unfriendly.... takes about 15 minutes to leave.

So, I look forward to meeting WBCCI members and I look forward to meeting AIR members at functions.... because we will have a GREAT time... and I need to learn alot!!!

Thanks again to all of you....

Buttercup · 01-14-2007, 01:04 PM

I wish facts like these were thought about a long time ago. This is why I say a marketing plan for the WBCCI is so badly needed. Instead of throwing darts at a new name, the leadership should look closely at the demographic of the members staying and those leaving. It is the ones leaving that the club should be analyzing. We already know what the club is doing good to keep members in......

myboyburt · 01-14-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I wish facts like these were thought about a long time ago. This is why I say a marketing plan for the WBCCI is so badly needed. Instead of throwing darts at a new name, the leadership should look closely at the demographic of the members staying and those leaving. It is the ones leaving that the club should be analyzing. We already know what the club is doing good to keep members in......

Funny, I've been emailing a fellow WBCCI member (outside of my Unit) about marketing materials for the WBCCI just today. I agree with what you say, our club needs to do an overhaul of it's marketing strategy and materials. And once this is done I think they should assist the Region/Units by providing training (web based, or classroom at International) on how to effectively use the materials, track the success of marketing events and then Headquarters should reward Region/Units which actively go after non-WBCCI Airstream owners, get them to join the club and keep them in the club.

juel · 01-14-2007, 02:02 PM

I joined when I got my Argosy; however, I really wasn't able to join in with any of the activities since I'm still working. I didn't renew my membership but it wasn't because the people weren't friendly. I just didn't see a benefit for the money, at least not right now. Maybe when I have more freedom. After reading some of the discussions on the Forum, I may not be WBCCI material. I don't do well with lots and lots of unnecessary rules. Perhaps things will change by the time I retire and I will "fit in".

myboyburt · 01-14-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juel

I joined when I got my Argosy; however, I really wasn't able to join in with any of the activities since I'm still working. I didn't renew my membership but it wasn't because the people weren't friendly. I just didn't see a benefit for the money, at least not right now. Maybe when I have more freedom. After reading some of the discussions on the Forum, I may not be WBCCI material. I don't do well with lots and lots of unnecessary rules. Perhaps things will change by the time I retire and I will "fit in".

Hey Juel,

Not all units have lots of rules. For the most part our "rules" are there are no rules.

Just common courtesy is expected of our members.

I do feel that International dues are expensive compared to other RV clubs I belong to. But then again my RV is expensive compared to others on the market. I feel I'm getting more than my monies worth from my local club now, and hope to take advantage of caravaning with the WBCCI in the future so I pay the $75.00 yearly fee ($55.00 International, $20.00 Unit).

Hope to see you back in the future....

Denis4x4 · 01-14-2007, 02:40 PM

"I wish facts like these were thought about a long time ago. This is why I say a marketing plan for the WBCCI is so badly needed. Instead of throwing darts at a new name, the leadership should look closely at the demographic of the members staying and those leaving. It is the ones leaving that the club should be analyzing. We already know what the club is doing good to keep members in......"

This is probably one of the best ideas I've seen on the this website relating to the WBCCI. The only thing I would add on the subject of securing a marketing plan would be to use an independent company with no ties to the WBCCI, Thor Industries or ownership of an Airstream.

It's been my experience that advice that is paid for is more likely to be taken seriously. The only problem I see is if a marketing company with excellent references comes up with ideas like a name change and/or redefining the goals of the organization, the money will have been wasted on and by closed minds.

01-14-2007, 02:44 PM

I'm out after two years .This is just my personal opinion but the club and the publication has the feel and smell of an old persons home and I have a feeling that I'm going to be dead and gone before that changes..I would pay the dues just for the magazine if it really had anything worthwhile to say but after Airstream Life thats all the information that I need. There may be a few units out there that cater to a younger group but on the whole WBCCI is an old persons club.Like I said my opinion only.

bryanl · 01-14-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

our club needs to do an overhaul of it's marketing strategy and materials

you mean it has one to overhaul? ;-)

consider this perception:

Quote:

This is just my personal opinion but the club and the publication has the feel and smell of an old persons home and I have a feeling that I'm going to be dead and gone before that changes

which does not appear all that uncommon. Isn't such a perception an indication of a lack of effective marketing?

Then there is the problem of numbers or measures or metrics. Isn't it rather sad that the best we have is from one enthusiast's manual examination of the directory which is out of date when published and several steps removed from the original data?

And then you can look at what is being done in the 'sales and marketing' area. Do you see clearly defined goals, vision, strategy, feedback mechanisms, measures, planning, and all those other professional things that are currently considered necessary for competence in a proper corporate effort? Or is it a mad mayhem and mishmash of impromtu ..... uh oh, I see the mob coming, I better run.

Buttercup · 01-14-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

The only thing I would add on the subject of securing a marketing plan would be to use an independent company with no ties to the WBCCI, Thor Industries or ownership of an Airstream.

It's been my experience that advice that is paid for is more likely to be taken seriously. The only problem I see is if a marketing company with excellent references comes up with ideas like a name change and/or redefining the goals of the organization, the money will have been wasted on and by closed minds.

This is something we actually talked about during the name change issue last year. The only marketing that we could find was the committee chair asking a friend if the new logo and name looked good. That's it! Not one move was made to see if a name change was really the problem. I can say for sure that WBCCI has no idea what identity is or what it means to a 50+ year old club.
No I have felt for a long time that a marketing plan should be developed by a team of people who are well versed in this area.

bryanl · 01-14-2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

I can say for sure that WBCCI has no idea what identity is or what it means to a 50+ year old club.

It is the membership that reflect the identity of the club. Fortunately for WBCCI, there are some (many) corners where members have figured this out and acted on it. Unfortunately, there are also quite a few who don't seem to care much but probably that is because they don't really know how to.

Quote:

I have felt for a long time that a marketing plan should be developed by a team of people who are well versed in this area.

That gets to Dwight's point that a competent executive is needed, someone who knows how to set up the infrastructure to get the job done and manage it professionally. WBCCI has chosen not to have an ED for quite a while, now. Perhaps this should change.