FMCA Demise

[Texas Clodhopper]

For you members of FMCA that haven't heard, Chris Smith, CEO has left his position. The following article has some interesting information.

https://www.rvtravel.com/fmca-trouble/

 

[Jabber Jaw]

For you members of FMCA that haven't heard, Chris Smith, CEO has left his position. The following article has some interesting information.

https://www.rvtravel.com/fmca-trouble/

That's sad!

 

[jaydee325]

Social media influencers constantly reporting gloom and doom (click bait) is getting old with me. My perception is that only a small percentage of what is posted turns out to be accurate.

I'm a current member and I just logged in and there is no mention of imminent demise on the website yet. I'll wait for an official announcement.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

As FMCA members, we have seen them struggle to determine who they are and their value. Historically they functioned as a way to create community - but with the rise of social media that doesn’t have an out of pocket cost to participate in RV social circles (well, no cost besides giving your personally identifiable information to a company who repeatedly sells your information to highest bidder) FMCA has been trying to figure out how to be relevant.
They don’t seem to have figured out who they are. As mentioned, the business world is littered with the corpses of once prominent and iconic companies, who lost their way and lost their sense of who they are when a disruptive technology came along.
Hopefully FMCA can find their identity in this new digital world and bring value to RVers and the RV industry.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Social media influencers constantly reporting gloom and doom (click bait) is getting old with me. My perception is that only a small percentage of what is posted turns out to be accurate.

I'm a current member and I just logged in and there is no mention of imminent demise on the website yet. I'll wait for an official announcement.

Just passing along what Jon Walker, the past president, stated. You must admit, the membership is steadly going down. The only FMCA brings to me is the Med Assist.

 

[Diesel Pusher]

We went to Redmond in August, our first and quite likely our last FMCA event. They expected more than 1000 registrations but only about 800 attended. The association lost about $400K. A few of the technical seminars were worth attending but others were nothing more than a carnival sales pitch for grossly over-priced guided RV tours or what we thought were nothing more than seniors assisted living activities. The entertainment was dated and stale. The average age of attendees seemed to be early 80's, more than 20 years our senior, which in my opinion, is driving the demise. It was an octogenarian convention! Nothing but a name change seems to have been done to attract younger members. The selfish decision of the governing board to double the annual membership fee to $100 to support the very expensive FMCAssist benefit effectively kills membership growth. Potential new members under 60 don't want to subsidize a benefit which can otherwise be mostly covered by personal insurance. At the current attrition rate, I'd be surprised if they see their 65th anniversary.

 

[Neal]

I read an article this morning suggesting FMCA is on its way out.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Social media influencers constantly reporting gloom and doom (click bait) is getting old with me. My perception is that only a small percentage of what is posted turns out to be accurate.

I'm a current member and I just logged in and there is no mention of imminent demise on the website yet. I'll wait for an official announcement.

Their website is outdated. It does have the current name and it sure doesn't mention dues are doubling.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Most members are not aware of the $400,000 travel expenses for the officers to attend functions and the rally.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Website shows annual membership being $60, a $10 increase from the prior $50. What is the source of the $100 doubling?

 

[whereRVapp]

I did get an email this week stating they are rebranding. They are adopting a DBA (“doing business as”) called Family RV Association. My guess is numbers have dropped and they desire to attract more members by marketing to non-motorhome RV’s

 

[Diesel Pusher]

Website shows annual membership being $60, a $10 increase from the prior $50. What is the source of the $100 doubling?

The source? I attended the meetings at Redmond, the increase is coming. If you want to join or renew at the lower rates, do it now.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Website shows annual membership being $60, a $10 increase from the prior $50. What is the source of the $100 doubling?

I believe it was announced at the rally.

The home office staff is down to a bare-bones operation with no leadership since the CEO Chris Smith left in July so I don't expect the website to be current on much of anything.

 

[Neal]

FMCA doesn't provide any added benefit to me at this time. I once thought of their tire discount program, it wasn't much of a discount compared to other options such as buying my Toyo's local. They did have one of the best rallies I've attended, to date which was the Perry, GA rally back in 2018. I don't see any reason to renew. I jumped in about every membership when I started RVing in 2017 and have been slowly tapering them off based on what I need and use, which is not much of anything at this time. Hope whatever they offer benefits others and the RV community and they can continue to provide those services. This is the second time they pivoted in the past few years, it used to be motorcoach only I believe, then it went to every RV, and now probably if you can spell RV you're in.

 

[whereRVapp]

Agreed. I only use it for the discount at Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort.

 

[RKins]

I used it for coach insurance via Progressive. Had to be a member for 3 years to get their discounts.

 

[whereRVapp]

I don’t have it any longer but we received a discount on our Nationwide coverage by being a member.

 

[msm]

The only reason that I joined is that I had to, as I wanted to join Roadtrek International group. I suppose that RTI will go down with FMCA. Too bad, as I have a Roadtrek.

 

[wildebill308]

The only reason that I joined is that I had to, as I wanted to join Roadtrek International group. I suppose that RTI will go down with FMCA. Too bad, as I have a Roadtrek.

Well yes if you don't do anything to help out. Have you gone to a rally? have you volunteered at a Road trek rally? Have you recruited any new members?
This applies to all the people above to.
Bill