Blue Beret Survey

[Porky Pig]

The idea for making an intraclub named the Wally Byam Caravan Club is a good idea.

Thank you .. well, that's two votes.

Actually, you did a good job summing up what I was trying say. Thanks.

Someone mentioned that perhaps we should change the topic to religion or politics, as if that would be less controversial.

Me again. But I was kidding!

[nds]

Originally posted by A.E. Milliman
Tin Hut --I could go along with your idea of the new style hat & perhaps add to that a bright blue toga, with an A/S pictured on the back. We could also put on some wooden shoes, along with striped knee lenght socks & make "Merrily we roll along", our offical A/S song to sing around our campfire. WOW !
Best,

LOL! How did I miss this on the first pass? As twisted as it sounds, if enough followed this suggestion... immediate change in the WBCCI! LOL!

[smily]

I am good with an intraclub named Wally---- that is specific to caravanning. I would go with the majority on the issue.

but, name of product, (club) is WBCCI.

Name of RV (not club) is Airstream, they have maintained their name from the beginning just as the WBCCI has.

Ford, makes Escorts, Econolines, Explorers, Excursions etc....

As Airstream makes Overlanders, Excella, Sovereign, etc.....

Apples and Oranges when you imply that WBCCI makes Airstreams. WBCCI does implement and govern Caravan adventures and rally events.

I am really open to events that are targeted at working Airstreamers, just as I have gone as far as approaching WBCCI and writing an article aimed at just that, "Still Working". The articles will be in BB's to come and they are all aimed at folks that are Still Working. Issues like children at rallies, affording and restoring a vintage AS due to affordability, the constraints involved with employment and attending major rallies.

I have been thinking of the same issues that are presented here for a long time. I am actively making the effort to take those opinions to the WBCCI. Do I benefit from that? Absolutely! Do others? Hopefully.
That is why I have literally solicited members of this forum to do the same.

We have had many Airstreamers open their minds and give it a shot. Were they all satisfied, no. Were some satisfied, yes.

There is no one here forcing anything on anyone. There is some one here saying that it can be what you make of it.

I do not stand alone on this issue, as many of you stand together on the position it is not for you. As I have always said, I am okay with that. I will continue to solicit new members and I will continue to make the WBCCI the best I can. Above all, I am an Airstreamer too. I am just like you!

Smily

[Chuck]

Ok, I got my BB last night in the mail (undamaged, fwiw). Nice article, Ken.

But as for the survey, and the subject of "change" to attract/retain younger members, I only have 3 words:


Country Bootes Randolph




and they need to have a survey ???


(ok, for those of you who aren't wbcci members, and have no idea what I'm talking about: it was announced in the latest BB that Bootes Randolph is performing at the international. Woo HOO!!! for those of you who don't know who "Bootes Randolph" is, he is a really really bad saxophonist, who play absolutely the MOST hokey crap you've ever heard. Geritol all the way. my 90 year-old grandmother, who watches re-runs of Lawrence Welk religiously, thinks he's outdated and hokey!!).

Ok, so I wouldn't suggest that they try and hire "P-Ditty", (or whatever he's calling himself this week), or Janet Jackson; either would be equally as poor a choice as "Bootes"; same reason, opposite direction. But you couldn't do anything to more thoroughly market WBCCI as "THE OLD FOGEY CLUB" than to book such an act as "Bootes".

Off the top of my head, I couldn't think of a better choice, myself, but if it was my job to do so, I'm sure I could come up with something that had just a teeny tiny bit more broad appeal. Not that it matters; I'm not attending the interational this year, anyway, no matter who they book for a musical act. Why? because I have to work for a living, like Ken, and most of the rest of us that post here. I only "visited" last year, because it just happened to be held "in town", so to speak. but that isn't really the point.

As for the other stuff that we keep hashing around over and over and over again...I'm looking forward to my local unit's first rally of the year, where I plan on going kayaking, hiking, as well as enjoying at least one evening campfire. Although it wasn't mentioned in the newsletter, so far, I have not noted any shortage of adult beverage consumption during these get togethers, so I'm counting on that, too. If your local unit doesn't do this sort of thing...find one that does.

[jcanavera]

Well I fired the first shot on the WBCCI forum regarding the survey, basicly noting that we need to find out from the folks who left, not those staying. It will be interesting whether it invokes a "shields up" attitude or whether the WBCCI sargent at arms makes a visit to my humble abode and lets the air out of my tires.

Jack

[smily]

Thats funny!

Boots Randolph. I too am not a huge fan of Boots Randolph but he is one of the most famous saxophonist in music. My parents listened to Boots whle I was growing up along with many other country legends.

I worked with some folks from Boston a number of years ago, and it is true, Bostonians do not have an ear or appetite for a lot of country music. I recall the guy in his london Fog coat and his pipe hanging low, asking me what that noise was. It was Hank Williams Jr, Rockin!

I am not a fan of classical and Muzak, but I do listen to alot of country.

When I am with wife or the country crowd, I listen to that.

When I am at work I listen to classic rock. I am listening to Doobies right now.

I also love some good ol' fashioned blood pumping bang your head metal music. Rush, Boston, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Ratt, etc.....

I too would not attend the Boots Tour but I am certain that many will. As much as we may or may not like it, RV people are predominatly seniors. It is the same for EVERY RV brand. It is just the nature of the beast. Look at all RV magazines, Who is depicted in there? The RV industry caters to the retired generation, that is who is spending their money at there dealerships. Dont worry, your turn is coming and they will be playing some artist that you enjoy. But dont forget to get online and read all the dismay from the next generation who will be complaining that the damn Doobie Brothers are playing at Intenational Rally, who the heck are they?

Smily

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally posted by jcanavera
Well I fired the first shot on the WBCCI forum regarding the survey, basicly noting that we need to find out from the folks who left, not those staying. It will be interesting whether it invokes a "shields up" attitude or whether the WBCCI sargent at arms makes a visit to my humble abode and lets the air out of my tires.

Jack

LOL!

[Porky Pig]

Woo HOO!!! for those of you who don't know who "Bootes Randolph" is, he is a really really bad saxophonist, who play absolutely the MOST hokey crap you've ever heard. Geritol all the way.

Actually I sorta like Boots Randolph. Anyone remember Yakety Sax?

Being a sax player myself, I don't know if he's "really, really bad" ... but he has played with some of the biggest names in the business. You can read more about Boots Randolph here.

If we were attending the International ... we'd certainly go to the FREE concert.

[Pahaska]

I agree with Forrest. Well thought out post.

My survey votes for a club name with Airstream in it. Forrst's idea that the Wally byam Caravan Club should be an intraclub would suit me just fine. Like Forrest, I never heard of Wally Byam until I joined, so why should the public recognize that name. I certainly appreciate Byam's contributions, but, as Forresat posted, this is no longer primarily a caravan club and is becoming less so every day.

Unless you iinterpret "caravan" in the British manner, the present club name makes little sense.

[rluhr]

As much as we may or may not like it, RV people are predominatly seniors. It is the same for EVERY RV brand. It is just the nature of the beast. Look at all RV magazines, Who is depicted in there? The RV industry caters to the retired generation, that is who is spending their money at there dealerships.

OK, perhaps this is the first stereotype we need to dispell. The above statements are not true anymore, and I'm surprised at you Ken for falling for that, when you've railed against people stereotyping the WBCCI. (You can atone for your sin by polishing a panel of my Caravel.)

The average RV buyer's age across the industry is age 49. It is true that the highest Airstream ownership group is currently 55+ but that is rapidly changing. The fastest-growing group of Airstream buyers are aged 35-54 (mostly Baby Boomers). They are snapping up the International CCDs in record numbers.

It is those new buyers who are probably less enthralled with the idea of Boots Randolph than the Three Dog Night.

-- RL

[Stefrobrts]

I like the WB Caravan Club sub-group idea also. When we are at a rally and are chatting with locals in town, I say I am with the Airstream Club. There's no need dragging out the whole "double-u-bee-cee-cee-eye" - for one thing it's awkward to constantly have to say, and then folks outside the loop don't know what the heck you're talking about!

[smily]

I am ashamed, I am typically one to do my homework before speaking.

I stand corrected, I was not aware of the statistic.

But what I am aware of, is I receive a bevy of RV magazines every month and I can assure you, the majority of photos in adverisemnts, articles, rallies etc..... are predominatley seniors.

Now the threshold for senior is up for interpretation I am certian. There probably is a set threshold, like 55 or 60 or 62 or 65, all which have to respective significance.

For this converstion, I will assume the threshhold for seniors at 55. ( I am actually thinking 50 but I know better). Lets just say retired rather than senior.

Now Luhr, you are in the biz, can you honestly say that the industry magazines are not predominatley senior oriented?

I will however settle up for my sins and polish two panels for I am chastizing myself for speaking before doing my homework.

Smily

[smily]

I am proud but not ashamed to admit that I too use the "Airstream Club" reference for simplicity.

I will go but I will consider it compromise,

Change the name to better the club, but what are you going to do in the interest of compromise?

See it is not that hard

Smily

[nds]

Originally posted by rluhr
The average RV buyer's age across the industry is age 49. It is true that the highest Airstream ownership group is currently 55+ but that is rapidly changing. The fastest-growing group of Airstream buyers are aged 35-54 (mostly Baby Boomers). They are snapping up the International CCDs in record numbers.

Then, that settles it. The entertainment should be provided by the Grateful Dead and afternoon crafts switched from making pot holders/aprons to water bongs/incense holders

All kidding aside, perhaps the members of this forum should consider forming regional groups of forum members that are located near by. Start planning outings together and after a period of time try to arrange a huge rally, centrally located, for a National Rally open to the entire Message Board.

[Silvertwinkie]

I'd have to agree. The current median age of ownership has fallen in the last few years alone. At this point, the factory is going beyond full speed right now and considering adding more per build. I went to the RV show here in Chicago and the thing that I saw most was a bunch of younger folks looking at these things (not just Airstreams). I would estimate that at this years show, for every 65ish person there were at least twenty 30 somethings in attendence. The numbers were similar to what I saw last year at the RV show as well.

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally posted by nds


All kidding aside, perhaps the members of this forum should consider forming regional groups of forum members that are located near by. Start planning outings together and after a period of time try to arrange a huge rally, centrally located, for a National Rally open to the entire Message Board.

I think that has already been done and is going to happen again this year, perhaps twice. Jack has been the one to help get us together here in the Midwest.

Eric

[rluhr]

can you honestly say that the industry magazines are not predominatley senior oriented?

There's no doubt that many segments of the RV industry are senior-oriented. Seniors continue to be a major portion of the market and they probably spend more on RV-travel-related items than working folks because they have more time on the road.

But the wise marketers in the industry (including magazines like Trailer Life, and manufacturers like Airstream) are looking at the latest RV Industry Association statistics and realizing that the Boomers are the key to the future. See for example Trailer Life "Mail Box", pg. 10-11, February 2004. It notes that "More RVs are now owned by baby boomers (35 to 54-year-olds) than any other group."

You don't need a member survey to know where things are going. Anyone who wants to have a future in the RV industry needs to be re-inventing themselves to appeal to Baby Boomers TODAY.

-- RL

PS: Ken, I will make best efforts to show up at one of your rallies as I drive through S. Carolina in mid-March. I'll be there with a bottle of Southern Shine and a rag, for you!

[Big Dee]

Originally posted by rluhr
The fastest-growing group of Airstream buyers are aged 35-54 (mostly Baby Boomers).

There's something wrong with that. I don't know the official dates But I am 36 AND most defintely a Gen Xer and NOT a Boomer, thank god. That gen is big enough.

[Silvertwinkie]

I'm an Xer.

[markdoane]

The baby boomer generation is the age group 40 - 58. The age group cited previous (35 to 54) is 'mostly' baby boomers. We're ok with some GenXrs, as long as they are willing to work longer while the rest of us continue to suck SS dry.