Major Businesses Link Up With RV Industry; 2004 Welcome Mat Awards Bring Key Business Executives Together

HUTCHINSON, Kan., June 22 -- Where could you expect to find marketing managers and corporate executives from nationally known companies such as Cracker Barrel, Saturn, Walt Disney World, Wal-Mart, Pennzoil/Shell, Dodge, and Daytona 500 combined with over 10,000 RVers? The only place you are likely to come across such a diverse gathering is at the Great North American RV Rally. Highlighting the Rally at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas, this week is the Welcome Mat Awards. Sponsored annually by the Good Sam Club, the Welcome Mat Awards recognize those businesses that go out of their way to accommodate RVs and offer good service to the growing number of RVers.

To give due recognition to these RV-friendly businesses, the Good Sam Club will show its gratitude with a full slate of special events. This year's attendees will be honored at a reception/dinner followed by the presentation of awards. Culminating the evening, the honorees will be escorted to the Main Stage Grandstand and introduced to their adoring public. They will then take their seats front and center for the headliner Bobby Bare concert.

"We are pleased be able to give accolades to these businesses that put a great deal of effort in being attentive to the special needs of RV owners," said Good Sam Club executive director Sue Bray. "Our members have proven year after year that they definitely have a strong attachment to the businesses receiving these awards."

   The Welcome Mat Award Winners taking part in the festivities tonight are:
   Good Sam Park:            America's Best Campground in Branson, MO
   Dinghy Vehicle:           Saturn
   Tow Vehicle:              Dodge
   Motor Oil:                Pennzoil
   RV Show:                  Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show
   Gas Station:              Flying J
   Propane Station:          Flying J
   Restaurant:               Cracker Barrel
   Outlet Mall:              Prime Outlets
   NASCAR Event:             Daytona 500
   Shopping Center:          Wal-Mart
   Tourist Attraction:       Walt Disney World
   State to Fish:            Texas
   Craft Store:              Michaels
   State to visit in RV:     Oregon
   Province to visit in RV:  British Columbia

   Also honored this year, but unable to join us in Hutchinson are:
   Fast Food Restaurant:     Wendy's
   Golf Course:              Pebble Beach Golf Links(R)
   Pet Supply Store:         PetsMart
   Casino:                   Circus Circus, Las Vegas, NV

With over 4,300 rigs registered, there are 10,000 RV owners expected to be in attendance at the four-day event that is growing in number and popularity each year. The 2004 Rally began on Monday, June 21st and will continue through Thursday, June 24th. The public is invited to attend the Rally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A $5 per-person Day Pass grants admission to all the exhibits and daytime entertainment, or a $54 Rally Passport offers them the exhibits, seminars and evening entertainment all week.