The Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CARVC) has released a free mobile app designed to connect campers with campgrounds, RV dealerships, and suppliers across the Carolinas.
The app, called Camping Carolinas, is now available for download on Android and Apple devices.
Originally developed as a tool for CARVC’s annual conference and trade show in February, the app provided attendees with access to event schedules, announcements, speaker bios, vendor contacts, and auction items.
The app was also used for messaging attendees during the event.
Following positive feedback from conference participants, CARVC’s board of directors approved expanding the app’s functions for public use. Dee Witting, executive director of CARVC, said the additional features are designed to connect more campers with CARVC’s member businesses.
“The board saw the benefit of using the app for the conference,” Witting said. “With the expansion of content on the app, now our goal is to get more campers connected with our member campgrounds, along with our member suppliers and RV dealerships. And the app will still be used as a tool to help our members and suppliers with events and association services.”
CARVC Board President David Seaborn, owner of Myrtle Beach RV Park, also said the app offers an opportunity to promote member campgrounds.
“CARVC has partnered with APP my Community to create an app that we hope will put our member campgrounds in the forefront of Campers! We are encouraging camping customers to download and explore this new opportunity to find out more of what the Carolinas have to offer.”
“There will be many ways campgrounds, as well as suppliers, can utilize this APP to advertise. We look forward to working with our members to shine the light on their businesses!” Seaborn added.
Dee Moore, director of marketing for Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground and The Great Outdoors RV Resort in North Carolina, also said she saw advertising potential in the app. “I recognized the app’s potential to reach a larger array of campers. As soon as banner ad enhancements were available for purchase, I jumped at the chance to purchase ads for both parks,” Moore said.
Rose Duemig, principal owner of App My Community, explained that the app’s mobile format meets the needs of travelers. “We create mobile apps for RV resorts, campgrounds, chambers of commerce, cities, and many other communities,” Duemig said.
“The ability to communicate information in real time, like high winds and water outages, is invaluable in being proactive and enhancing the guest experience,” Duemig added.
The app allows travelers to search for campgrounds by name or distance and access descriptions, phone numbers, and website links for booking campsites.
Users can also request printed camping guides and view a digital guide through the app. Campground operators and suppliers can use the app as a directory for events and members and leverage it for advertising and upgrades.