Event organizers were happy with the turnout: 2,057 families. And for local businesses, the extra visitors meant a nice economic boost.
By BETH N. GRAY
Published February 9, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - George Schipper, the driving force behind the Family Motor Coach Association Southeast Area Rally at the Hernando County Airport, was still smiling as the 2,057 convention families lumbered down the road and headed home over the weekend.
While the official rally ran Wednesday through Sunday morning, many of the visitors from around the country spent the entire week in Hernando County. And things could not have gone much better, Schipper said.
When not sitting in temporary lecture halls to learn more about RV life, or taking in nightly entertainment under the big tent, many hopped in their towed automobiles and toured Hernando's attractions and dined in local restaurants.
The rally's highlight, Schipper said, was the attitude of the people.
"People feel better all over. The economy's up, and they feel good. Sales are up," he said Saturday, referring to the 22 coach dealerships marketing high-line motorized homes and 220 vendors selling over-the-road accessories and ready-to-eat food, from lemonade to barbecued ribs.
"I haven't had one vendor who said he's had a bad time. Everybody's been pleased," said the association's southeast vice president. Such consensus is unusual, he added.
Day passes, which allow the public to visit the rally for $4, sold well this year, Schipper said. Wednesday's passes numbered 835, Thursday's 1,312 and Friday's 982, in each case a jump of about 200 over the same day last year.
"We really appreciate the local people coming in to see us," Schipper said.
And many businesses appreciated the influx of an estimated 7,000 visitors.
"We've had a jolly good time," said Mary Smith, manager of Mykonos II, a Greek-Italian-Cuban restaurant on E Jefferson Street in Brooksville. Friday's business was up by at least 45 percent, she said. "We were jamming."
Ye Olde Fireside Inn on Broad Street in Brooksville certainly noticed the rally crowd, owner David Price said. "They are a good boost to our business."
Although he couldn't quantify the increase, he said, "It's a very nice boost."
At Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant on Spring Lake Highway east of Brooksville, about 15 miles from the rally site, hostess Holly Stout enthusiastically uttered "yes" when asked if the rally had an impact on the restaurant's business.
"We plan in advance. We put more girls on the floor," she said. "Our business picks up with any of these (tourist-attracting) events."
Coachers don't just eat out. They shop.
"We're always happy to have them come to town," said Weiland Rogers, executive vice president of Rogers' Christmas House Village in Brooksville. "It's obvious when they come to town," he said of the increase in sales at the village, whose brochures were offered at the rally.
Rally participants were equally pleased with their stay in Hernando.
"They really enjoyed the area," Schipper said. "I've heard of more restaurants in the area than I knew were here."
The county tourism office touted more than dining spots. From its booth in the rally information center, it offered brochures with details about county waterways, parks and the heritage museum, as well as a county adventure map listing monthly events.
Tourism volunteer Joe Lanni of Brookridge on Saturday responded to visitor inquiries and gave directions.
"All I'm doing is helping people get lost," he quipped.
He expressed surprise that two parties early Saturday asked for directions to the library.
Schipper and staff already are planning for the 2005 rally at the Hernando airport.
"Next year will be a big year because (the southeast region of the association) is hosting the national rally in Perry, Ga.," he said.
The national event attracts about 7,000 motor coaches, many of them expected to wheel into Brooksville in February before moving on to the March extravaganza in Georgia. It's an eight-hour drive from Brooksville to Perry, just a casual day's drive for a motor coacher, Schipper said.
The proximity of the national event may enable the local rally to break its 1999 record of 2,770 coach registrants, Schipper said.
The association will add a motor coach service center at the 2005 rally in Hernando. Already lined up are six coach manufacturers and two diesel manufacturers that will help members with maintenance.
"I think it'll be a real plus," Schipper said.
The association's lease for the airport rally site runs through 2007. The Southeast rally has been in Hernando since 1997.
