RV-Friendly Businesses Awarded Top Honors for Service to RV Owners

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 16 -- The Good Sam Club, the world's largest membership organization of RV owners, announced today its award winners for the Second Annual Welcome Mat Awards. Company representatives will be attending an Awards dinner this evening at the Great North American RV Rally in Louisville, Kentucky. They will also be recognized before a crowd of 12,000 at the rally's opening night event, featuring entertainer, Lee Greenwood.

Good Sam introduced its Welcome Mat Award to recognize those businesses that know how to accommodate RVs and offer good service to the growing number of RVers. Nearly 1 million members were eligible to vote for the winning businesses that go out of their way to recognize the needs of RVers.

The voting process took place over several months. Member ballots were available in Highways magazine, on the Club's website (www.goodsamclub.com ) and in Lifetimer, a newsletter that goes exclusively to Lifetime Members. Highways magazine is sent to all Good Sam Club member households.

"This has turned out to be a good experience for the Good Sam Club and for our Welcome Mat Award winners," said Good Sam Club executive director Sue Bray. "We've been able to help each other grow while providing some of the best service and products to our members.

"It's a pleasure to recognize these businesses," continued Bray. "Our members are traveling in record numbers. According to the latest Highways reader study, average daily expenditures while RVing are $83.57 so it's easy to see why they are important to these award-winning businesses. More importantly, we want to recognize those businesses that put some effort in recognizing and accommodating the special needs of RV owners. Our members definitely have a strong attachment to the businesses receiving these awards."

   The 2003 Welcome Mat Award Winners!

   Casino                                Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino -
                                         Laughlin, NV
   Craft Store                           Michaels Stores
   Dinghy Vehicle                        Saturn
   Fast Food                             McDonald's
   Fuel/Gas Station                      Flying J
   Golf Course                           Outdoor Resort Palm Springs
   Good Sam Park                         America's Best Campground -
                                         Branson, MO
   Motor Oil                             Pennzoil
   NASCAR Event                          Daytona 500
   Outlet Mall                           The Outlets at Castle Rock
   Pet Supply                            PETsMART
   Propane Outlet                        Flying J
   Province to Visit in an RV            British Columbia
   Restaurant                            Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(R)
   RV Show                               Florida RV Supershow
   Shopping Center                       Wal-Mart
   State to Fish                         Alaska
   State to Visit in an RV               Colorado
   Tourist Attraction                    Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
   Tow Vehicle                           Dodge Ram/DaimlerChrysler

U.S. ownership of RVs has reached record levels, reveals a 2001 University of Michigan study commissioned by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Nearly 1 in 12 U.S. vehicle-owning households now owns an RV. Approximately 7.2 million RVs are on the nation's roads, according to the Michigan study. RVIA estimates nationwide there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts, including RV renters.

Thousands of recreational vehicle owners, better known as RVers, will be traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, for the Great North American RV Rally. For a complete schedule of the Great North American Rally go to www.calzone.com/rally_schedule/ or call (877) 749-7122 or (805) 667-4422.