Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CONVENTION BASICS
What is a Family Motor Coach Association international convention?
FMCA is a very big family. At two international conventions each
year family members join with commercial members to have fun in very
special places throughout the United States. It's a family reunion!
Family members own motorhomes; commercial members manufacture and
sell products that family members use in their motorhomes. These are
two excellent reasons for the FMCA Family to get together.
FMCA
conventions are one of many member benefits that the not-for-profit
association arranges for its members.
Top
Why do family members
attend?
Thank you for asking. The reasons why a family member
attends a convention are varied. Here is what attendees have told
us:
Family — The motorhoming lifestyle is a great family oriented
activity. Fairplex in Pomona, California will host the "Celebrating
Family" convention — FMCA's 75th International Convention.
Fellowship
— Friends who travel together or who plan opportunities
to meet down the road find FMCA conventions a great place to gather.
Motorhome purchase
— The major manufacturers bring their best
products to display. It's the best place to compare brands and shop
for that next coach.
Coach Service — Knowledgeable technicians discuss problems with
coach owners at the conveniently located FMCA Service Center.
Repairs are arranged on site or at an off site repair facility.
Entertainment
— FMCA showcases wholesome family entertainment
appropriate for all ages.
Supplier Exhibits — One-stop shopping. Everything a motorhomer needs
and much more can be found in the exhibit buildings.
Technical Seminars
— Plan to arrive early for most of the technical
seminars fill up fast. Topics include chassis, engines,
transmissions, electrical systems, towing, tires, and communication
systems.
Educational Seminars — Safe driving classes, digital photography,
personal safety, microwave-convection cooking, identity theft, as
well as full time RVing are popular topics.
Make-and-Take Craft Seminars
— Learn a new skill and walk away with
a convention keepsake. These fun sessions fill up quickly.
Fun, Fitness, and Health Seminars
— Where does it hurt? There's
probably an exercise that can help. Professional instructors guide motorhomers through exercises they can do in their coaches while
traveling. FMCA provides dancing — square, line and big bands.
Travel Destination
— Beautiful, warm climate with many opportunities
to explore in the area.
Uniqueness — Everything a motorhome owner could ask for in one
location; information sources, vendors, education.
Top
What is Will Call?
A service provided by FMCA where pre-registered families can choose
to pick up their convention admittance credentials on site at the
Holding Area.
Top
What is a Holding Area?
A place where families can register for the convention; where
families meet friends so they can park together; where families
arrive prior to assigned parking days and wait for time to enter
grounds.
Families arriving prior to their assigned "date of entry" will be
assessed an early arrival fee of $15 per night for dry camping.
Top
Are children and grandchildren welcome?
Absolutely. FMCA provides youth activities for specific age groups
to socialize, enjoy pizza parties, play games and just have fun. Be
sure to register the children when you pre-register. Detailed
information will be sent to you.
Top
How can I volunteer for a convention?
Check with your area vice president and chapter officers about
volunteer opportunities. It’s really fun to volunteer, and many
volunteers are recruited for each convention.
Top
What about septic service?
FMCA arranges on-site dump stations and pump out services whenever
possible. Be prepared and arrive at the grounds with full water
tanks and empty holding tanks.
Top
POMONA SPECIFICS
"Celebrating Family" is the theme of FMCA's 75th International
Convention. Since the first gathering in Maine in 1963, the FMCA
family has grown; chapters have formed and branched out; parents,
sons, daughters, and grandchildren proudly display the same member
number representing their unique family traveling tree; wholesome
long-time friendships and new friendships spawned around the camp
fire contribute to what makes FMCA a family. Come to California and
celebrate FMCA's 75th!
Top
What is the location of FMCA's 75th International Convention?
Fairplex, home of the L.A. County Fair, in Pomona, California, will
host the convention. For GPS purposes the address is 1101 W.
McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768.
Top
What are the dates of the Pomona convention?
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 20, 21, 22, 23,
2006.
Top
Will everyone be parked at the fairgrounds?
Yes. More Convention Parking Procedures will be available in
January 2006 online and in the January issue of Family Motor Coaching
magazine.
Top
Are family
parking lots blacktopped?
Yes. Leveling blocks are required, however. Acceptable blocks are
12x12x3/4, 12x10x2 or plastic pads designed for this purpose.
Failure to follow these guidelines may subject you to damages
incurred.
Top
What about electric service?
30-amp electric hookups are available but limited. Be sure to
pre-register for electric service when you register for convention.
You must provide a 10-gauge minimum, 50 foot electric cord. No
refunds for electric after February 10, 2006.
Top
When will electric service be available?
Electric service begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, March 19, and ends at
9 a.m. Friday, March 24.
Top
What about weather?
Beautiful! Be sure to pack your sunglasses! It's usually sunny in
Southern California.
The average temperatures in March are 68 degree highs and 47 degree
lows.
Top
How can I register?
You have the following choices to register:
a)
Register ONLINE.
b) Mail registration form with check or credit card number to:
FMCA Convention Dept.
8291 Clough Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45244-2796.
Make checks payable to Family Motor Coaching, Inc., in U.S. funds.
The registration form will be in your November and December 2005,
and January and February 2006 issues of Family Motor Coaching
magazine.
c) Phone (800) 543-3622 or (513) 474-3622 and ask for Convention
Family Registration.
d) Fax registration form to (513) 388-5295.
If you don’t have a registration form or you are not a member of
FMCA, you can register via the Internet or the telephone.
Top
If I register early, will I save any money?
Yes, register by February 27, 2006, for the $20 Early Bird discount.
Top
Will I be able to register for the convention on-site?
Yes. Pre-registration is recommended. However, if you decide after
the deadline to attend the convention, go to the Holding Area to
register. Registration will be located at the Holding Area beginning
Friday, March 17, at 8 a.m. until Tuesday, March 21, at 5
p.m., and then moved to the Information Center in Building 22 at Fairplex for the duration of the convention.
Top
Are there other advantages to registering early?
Besides the lower cost, early registrations receive early entry
dates. Many families prefer to beat the crowd and get parked early.
Actually, you are helping FMCA and the other convention attendees by
pre-registering and arriving on your early entrance day.
Top
What do early arriving families do until the convention activities
begin?
Explore the local area before the activities get started. Check the
links on www.fmca.com for suggestions.
Top
Is food included in my registration cost?
No. Beginning on Monday, March 20, there will be plenty of food
vendors around the grounds. The following events are sponsored:
- Coffee and doughnuts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 7 a.m.
— 9 a.m.
- Ice Cream Social on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Top
When will I receive my registration material?
You will receive your confirmation packet that will include your
parking and admittance credentials approximately three weeks after
your registration is received at FMCA. Confirmation packets will be
mailed as soon as December 29, 2005. Registrations postmarked after
February 27, 2006, will be held and processed as gate registrations.
You can pick them up at Will Call in Pomona.
Top
What happens if I have to cancel?
You will receive a refund if your request is received in writing by
March 10, 2006. Your confirmation packet, including credentials for
parking and badges, must be returned before a refund will be
processed.
No refunds for electric after February 10, 2006.
All cancellations are subject to a $10 handling fee.
Top
How do I get there?
Fairplex is located near Interstate 10 and Fairplex Drive.
Specific directions will published in the January issue of
Family Motor Coaching magazine. In addition, the directions
will be included in your confirmation packet and at www.fmca.com.
Top
What is the address so I can have my mail sent to me?
Mail and parcel shipments for family members sent to the address
below will be sorted and available at the Information Center
beginning at noon on Monday, March 20, 2006.
Member name and membership number
c/o Family Motor Coach Association
P.O. Box 7777
Pomona, CA 91769-7777
To pick up mail at the Pomona Post Office:
Member name and membership number
General Delivery
Pomona, CA 91766-9999
Top
Where is the Holding Area and Will Call?
Will Call is located in the Holding Area. Entrance is at Gate 15 off
of Arrow Highway.
Top
What are the hours of the exhibits?
Motorhome Exhibits Preview on Monday, March 20, 2006, from 3 p.m.
to 7 p.m.
Motorhome exhibits, component, and supplier exhibits are open
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 21, 22, 23, 2006, from 8:30
a.m. to 5 p.m.
Top
Is the convention open to the general public?
Yes. A public gate pass and a daily passport are available.
A public gate pass (admittance to exhibits only) costs $7 per day
per person. Children 12 and under are
admitted free. Public gate passes are available Monday, March 20,
from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday, March
21-23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday Daily Passports and public gate passes for the Motorhome
Preview Evening are also good for admittance on Tuesday.
A daily passport (admittance to exhibits, seminars, and evening
entertainment for the day) costs $35 per person for members and $45
per person for non-members. Daily passports are available Monday,
March 20, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday,
March 21 to 23, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Follow the signs to public parking. Fairplex charges $7 for public
gate car parking.
Top
How can I exhibit at a convention?
FMCA mails exhibitor information to all FMCA commercial members.
(You must be a commercial member to exhibit.) Contact FMCA about
exhibit opportunities at 513-474-3622, 800-543-3622, or FAX
513-388-5286 or e-mail conventionexhibitor@fmca.com.
Top
Exhibitor registration is now available on the Internet at:
www.fmca.com/conventions/2006pomona/registration_exhibitor.asp
Top
As an exhibitor, may I attend seminars and entertainment?
Yes, but be sure to wear your exhibitor badges.
Top
Who are the evening entertainers?
Evening entertainment is open only to registered convention
attendees, and is not open to public gate patrons unless they
purchase full-day passport tickets.
|
Sunday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. |
Square Dance |
|
Monday, March 20, 7 p.m. |
Big Band Dance |
|
Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 p.m. |
A Family of Entertainers Reunion |
|
Wednesday, March 22, 6:30 p.m. |
The Debbie Reynolds Show |
|
Thursday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. |
The Bobby Vinton Show |
Top
Tell me about the seminars?
The seminars begin on Monday, March 20, and continue Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday, March 21, 22, 23. More than 100 seminars
are scheduled covering a variety of topics including how to maintain
your motorhome as well as create meals in it too.
"Selecting The Right Motorhome For Your Needs," seminar is scheduled
on Monday afternoon, March 20, and will assist you in shopping for
your first or next motorhome purchase. This seminar is open to
public gate patrons.
Top
Do I have to sign up for seminars?
With a few exceptions, the seminars are included in your convention
registration fee. There are some seminars for which you must sign
up, such as make-and-take craft classes and the RV Safe Driving
Course. Registration begins on Monday, March 20, at 7 a.m. Some
of them fill up quickly.
Be sure to wear your convention name badge to the seminars.
You can register to have your coach weighed at the RV Safety
Education Foundation booth during exhibit hours.
Top
Would you tell folks attending conventions about common courtesy?
Yes, we have received several requests. So, without conferring with
“Miss Manners,” a considerate convention attendee will:
- Clean up after pets.
- Turn off your cell phones during seminars and entertainment. Ditto
for those little radios.
- Arrive on time for seminars.
- Leave camp site as clean as you found it.
- Check out every vendor’s merchandise.
- Buy a new motorhome.
- Recycle.
- Thank the convention volunteers.
- Have fun!
Top
Is motorhome service available?
Yes. The Service Center will be open on Monday, March 20, from 12
p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 21, 22,
and 23, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Service is limited and some
firms may direct you to service facilities outside the grounds.
Top
Is my pet welcome at an FMCA convention?
Yes. Pets must be kept in your coach parking area unless they are
providing service assistance. Pets are not allowed in activity
centers. Be considerate of others and be a responsible pet owner
when walking your pet and clean up after it. In case you forget,
we'll remind you in the daily newsletter, too.
Top
Where can I find information about the Pomona, California area?
Information will be posted on FMCA’s web site www.fmca.com as it
becomes available.
Top
Will I be able to stay on convention property after the event?
All families must leave the grounds by 10 a.m. on Friday, March
24. If you would like to stay longer, information will be available
at the Information Center.
Top
What is a Welcome Bag?
Upon parking in your final parking space, you will receive a
convention welcome bag. Important items in the bag are the
convention program; daily schedule of events and map; and the
"Today" newsletter. The Welcome Bag is also known as a goody bag.
Top
What else do I need to know?
That you can contact us at any time with questions that may arise.
The convention program will have lots of information about on-site
services. Representatives from the LaVerne Chamber of Commerce will
be available to assist with questions relating to services available
in the local area.
Have fun! Meet some of the most interesting
people you’ll find anywhere.
Privacy Policy |
Site Information |
Contact Us
® 1996-2008, Family Motor Coach Association
