NEWS RELEASE
June 18, 2008

Media and traffic advisory

Motorhome owners to meet in St. Paul

Very shortly, more than 3,000 motorhomes will gather in St. Paul, Minnesota, for the Family Motor Coach Association's 80th International Convention. The gathering of this international motorhome owners' club will take place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, July 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2008. The confab at the fairgrounds is one of two motorhome conventions FMCA is hosting this year. The group also met in Pomona, California, this past February. Recent motorhome conventions were held in Redmond, Oregon; Perry, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Minot, North Dakota; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Buffalo, New York. FMCA has not held a convention in Minnesota since 1980.

An FMCA convention includes a sizable motorhome exhibition, with major motorhome manufacturers and dealers from across North America displaying hundreds of coaches in all styles and sizes. More than 700 motorhomes, among them some examples of custom-made handiwork, will be open for perusal. In addition, nearly every conceivable RV accessory and component, as well as items suitable for use in the home, will be on display. Members of the public will be able to tour the exhibit motorhomes and see for themselves the many amenities packed inside these modern RVs, which have all of the conveniences of home — and then some, in many cases.

Admission to the exhibition is $7.00 per day; children 12 and under are admitted free with an accompanying adult. A Daily Passport is available for $55.00, providing access not only to the exhibits but also to seminars and daytime and evening entertainment. Public parking will be available in Fairgrounds Lot 56, Gate 24 via Como Avenue, with tickets available at Gate 9. Overflow parking will be at the Gortner Avenue Ramp on the University of Minnesota-St. Paul Campus, accessed either via Larpenteur or Cleveland avenues; an additional parking charge will apply. Tickets for those using the Gortner Avenue Ramp will be available near Gate 15 on Dan Patch Avenue.

Display hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on July 15, 16, and 17. Monday afternoon, July 14, will be devoted to a special viewing of the motorhome exhibits only. The festivities — which will include lively entertainment, as well as an opportunity to view the latest motorhome models available — will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Area residents who are interested in learning more about the RV lifestyle are invited to attend a seminar titled "Selecting The Right Motorhome For Your Needs" on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in the Miracle of Birth Center (Seminar 2). The cost to view the motorhomes on this afternoon is $7.00 per person, which includes the seminar. Monday's admission pass is good on Tuesday, July 15, as well.

Other makings of the motorhome convention include seminars regarding RV-related topics; topflight, professional entertainment; and various social events, among them morning coffee hour, an ice cream social, and impromptu good times.

Traffic advisory information

Viewers/readers/listeners in St. Paul and surrounding areas will be witnessing evidence of this event. Tourist attractions, shopping areas, and gasoline stations should experience an influx. And motorists in the area also may notice a prevalence of motorhomes.

In fact, local residents are advised to avoid the area surrounding the Minnesota State Fairgrounds between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13. In particular, on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13, caravans — groups of motorhome owners traveling together — will be arriving at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds via Gate 18 off Como Avenue.

At the close of the event, motorhome traffic will be leaving the site on Friday, July 18, starting somewhere around 6:00 a.m., and local residents may wish to avoid the area again between 6:00 a.m. and noon that day.

Typically, FMCA conventions attract significant media attention. An infinite number of lifestyle stories and a great deal of "wow, look at that expensive ($1 million) motorhome!" material will be available. Media representatives are, of course, welcome to pursue any angle that they find interesting. However, for an overall orientation to the convention activities, FMCA encourages newspeople to request to speak with Doug Uhlenbrock upon arriving at the fairgrounds, or to call ahead to establish a meeting time.

When arriving at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, please take Como Avenue to Transit Way and follow the signs to the Exhibitor/Press Registration Office on Dan Patch Avenue. Press credentials will be available at this registration office.

One point of information: the official term for the type of vehicle in question 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.

You are welcome to stop by to witness the activities. Please call if any questions arise.

Contact: Pamela Kay or Doug Uhlenbrock, Family Motor Coaching Inc., 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244; (800) 543-3622 or (513) 474-3622; www.fmca.com.

FMCA conventions
www.fmca.com/conventions