(May 8, 2013) -- Hidden cameras and audio recorders can be incorporated into pens, hats, soda cans -- just about anything. The last thing any business owner wants to see is a video of his or her business going viral on YouTube and mainstream media outlets because of the outrageous actions and claims made by a dealer or a member of the staff.

(May 1, 2013) -- Just a little more than two years ago, much of the industry had all but written off the RV/MH Hall of Fame as a financially nonviable institution. Fortunately, genuine leaders stepped forward to offer a vision, helping hand, and plenty of money to keep the Hall of Fame open to the public. Darryl Searer was hired as president and, as they say, the rest is history.

(May 1, 2013) -- Just a little more than two years ago, much of the industry had all but written off the RV/MH Hall of Fame as a financially nonviable institution. Fortunately, genuine leaders stepped forward to offer a vision, helping hand, and plenty of money to keep the Hall of Fame open to the public. Darryl Searer was hired as president and, as they say, the rest is history.

Isolated from the rest of the strip, just about everything at the Rio is more expensive than the rest of Las Vegas, including the $4.50 bottles of water in the hotel room, the fact the front desk dings your credit card $100 per day for "incidentals," and don't even get me started about union thugs and the $150 they charge to carry a box 150 feet from the loading dock to an exhibit.  

But the Rio just got costlier for RV dealers who were attending the Priority RV Network meetings last week. Can you believe this resort now charges $20 for early check in? I have never, in my life, heard of a hotel charging guests an early check in fee in a city where an aircraft lands every 90 seconds around the clock.

(April 12, 2013) -- Philip Koch was a visionary in the camping industry. Why is it that so often men with great vision depart earth well before their time, leaving others to carry out that vision? Philip was the owner of Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Park in Santa Claus, Ind. He died unexpectedly this week at age 47.

I had the chance to spend a few hours with him last September when the campground invited me to spend the weekend at their resort to see first-hand how a Christmas-themed campground embraces Halloween.

(April 11, 2013) -- It's getting harder and harder to understand anything that goes on in California these days.  Perhaps someone can explain why a guy sitting at a dead stop on a "freeway" caught in one of California's legendary traffic jams could be cited for "distracted driving" for using his iPhone's mapping feature to find an alternative route around the mess.

(April 1, 2013) -- Through it all, we have remained committed to serving the RV industry as an independent news source, not governed by corporate control. We have always allowed anyone with a message to step up and use our microphone to relay news, convey an idea or to voice an opinion. And we allow others to hold us accountable by allowing comments on every story we post.

I think RV Daily Report plays an important role in the RV industry by covering all segments in one central location -- RV dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, associations, RV parks, campgrounds and RV owners. In honor of our fourth anniversary, I wish to genuinely thank our readers who have stood by us through some tough times and many challenges, as well as the advertisers who make it possible for us to continue our mission month after month. Without the steadfast support of companies who share our mission, RV Daily Report would be nothing more than a dream.

(March 25, 2013) -- I received a press release today about a design competition in the automotive industry that I thought would be an excellent way to bring innovation into the RV industry. I, for one, think this type of design innovation would help improve the draw to the National RV Trade Show in Louisville each year.