Family Motor Coach Association fact sheet

OVERVIEW: The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) is an international organization of families who own and enjoy the recreational use of motorhomes. Since 1963 FMCA has issued more than 390,000 memberships to families who look to the association as their source of information about all facets of motorhome ownership and travel.

MEMBERS: With nearly 115,000 active member families, FMCA is the world's largest motorhome owners group. Membership in the association costs $45 for the first year (which covers the dues for the first year and an initiation fee) and $35 per year thereafter.

FMCA also has 2,500 commercial members — dealers, suppliers, manufacturers, campgrounds, service facilities and other firms servicing the motorhome owner or the motorhome industry.

MEMBERSHIP EMBLEM: FMCA family members can be identified by the FMCA “goose egg," or membership emblem, displayed on their motorhome. This oval plate, embossed with the family's membership number, opens the door for many friendly encounters while traveling.

FMCA'S PURPOSE: FMCA organizes social activities, exchanges motorhome information, and supplies benefits made possible, in part, by collective purchasing.

The interest of the Association also extends into the area of political and legislative action. FMCA supports recreation programs and the legal rights of RV owners.

BENEFITS: FMCA member benefits include a mail forwarding service, an emergency medical evacuation program and group rates on an emergency roadside assistance plan. One of the most popular benefits is a subscription to Family Motor Coaching magazine, the official publication of FMCA.

Perhaps the greatest benefits of FMCA membership are the friendships shared by people who enjoy motorhome travel. The association is rich in the tradition of FMCA members extending hands of genuine friendship to one another.

CHAPTERS: FMCA encourages the development of local, regional and specialty chapters. These chapters — FMCA has approximately 500 of them — organize events of particular interest to their members, including numerous rallies throughout the year. Regional rallies, composed of several chapters from a geographic area, also are held annually

In addition to the opportunities for forming long-lasting friendships, chapter affiliation presents FMCA members with forums for exchanging information. Those chapters that are based on mutual interest in a common motorhome model or in a particular hobby or activity serve as pools of information drawn from the experiences and knowledge of chapter members.

CONVENTIONS: FMCA holds two international motorhome conventions each year, in various locations in the United States. Motorhome manufacturers, dealers and RV suppliers display their latest products. The events take place over a four-day period and feature high-quality professional entertainment and informative seminars.

HISTORY: On July 20, 1963, 26 families met at the Good Will-Hinckley School in Hinckley, Maine, to socialize and become acquainted with other "house car" owners. They decided to form a motor coach owners' common interest group. A monument to commemorate the founding was dedicated at the school on July 4, 1994.

HEADQUARTERS: FMCA is a member-owned association that maintains its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, and employs a full-time office staff. FMCA is governed by officers who are elected from within the ranks of the association and who offer their services on a voluntary basis.

The organization occupies a modern headquarters facility that encompasses 21,000 square feet as well as a 12,000-square-foot building that accommodates its membership and mail forwarding departments and storage needs.

ONE FINAL NOTE: The official term for the type of vehicle owned by FMCA members is motorhome or motor coach. These vehicles are not "mobile homes," nor are they campers, vans or trailers. There is a definite distinction among these categories of vehicles.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pamela Kay
(513) 474-3622
Fax: (513) 388-5286
pkay@fmca.com

GENERAL CONTACT:
Family Motor Coach Association
8291 Clough Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45244
(800) 543-3622
(513) 474-3622
Fax: 513) 474-2332
Web Site: www.fmca.com