Hello, FMCA Family.
As I write this, unprecedented things are happening in our world. None of us could have predicted that a pandemic would prevent FMCA from hosting its 101st International Convention and RV Expo in Tucson, Arizona, in March. However, we were forced to cancel the event on March 13, 2020, just a couple of weeks before it was to take place. Canceling a convention after registration began has never happened in FMCA’s history.
We were all excited to be together and to celebrate the RV lifestyle. So, we understand the disappointment this caused those planning to be there, and the financial ramifications for exhibiting companies that count on FMCA events to help generate revenue.
Quite honestly, this will have serious financial ramifications for FMCA as well. As a not-for-profit organization, FMCA devotes as much of its resources as possible to member benefits, including our first-class events. The budget is prepared with the idea of breaking even, not with the goal of generating large profits. So, cancelling an event in this manner is difficult for FMCA from a financial standpoint. This is especially true given that FMCA’s investments have taken a serious hit. In the end, though, the safety of our members, exhibitors, and staff was paramount in the decision.
At this writing, the United States and Canada have not yet seen the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. So, we are living with uncertainty. FMCA’s next scheduled event was set to take place August 26 through 29, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska. On Friday, March 20, 2020, FMCA’s Board of Directors voted to cancel that event as well. Registration for the Lincoln convention opened on February 26, 2020, and already was extremely low in comparison to past events. No one knows how long this pandemic will last and when people will again feel comfortable gathering in large groups. If FMCA were to proceed with planning for the Lincoln event, it could create an even greater financial burden at an already tenuous time for our association.
In the coming months, FMCA will make plans for an electronic business meeting for the Governing Board. We will be posting updates on FMCA’s governance site — https://governance.fmca.com/ — as to what we are doing in light of the changing nature of this global emergency and how it relates to FMCA. You will need to be logged in to have access to this website. Further information will be posted about the meeting process as details are worked out.
FMCA’s national office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. On March 22, 2020, the governor of Ohio issued a “stay at home” order, which shut down all but essential businesses effective at 11:59 p.m. on March 23. Governor DeWine has been aggressive in his actions toward mitigating this threat, so we figured this was coming and had started to make plans for setting up as many employees as possible to work from home. Unfortunately, we had to lay off certain employees because of the recent turn of events.
We plan to continue to serve FMCA members as best we can under these circumstances, but we ask that you please be patient and remain flexible. The entire world is dealing with the battle against this unseen enemy. This is like nothing we have seen in our lifetime. We are working to protect our families and loved ones and to stay safe while doing everything we can to make sure FMCA remains a viable organization that continues to serve RVers well into the future.
We are hopeful that this pandemic will pass quickly and that we’ll be able to return to life as normal sooner rather than later. The experts are telling us it will be over sooner if we heed their recommendations.
FMCA’s next event is scheduled for March 10 through 13, 2021, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia. I’m hoping that we can all get together then and have a great BIG celebration. Until then, be sure to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local authorities. Be kind to one another. Check on your loved ones and neighbors. Stay well.
