AGS Highlights 20% Increase in Views of Online Guides
Through the first six months of 2020 and in the middle of a pandemic, 148,428 unique online consumers had accessed 1,000-plus guest guides that AGS produces for campgrounds, RV parks and resorts across the country, representing a 20% increase over last year’s figures, according to a press release.
“That tells us that there is a significant increase in the number of consumers who are either camping or considering camping during this summer of COVID-19,” said Brian Schaeffer, president and CEO of AGS.
There’s good news for the merchants and services that support AGS guides, too, noted the release. As of July 1, AGS recorded a 28% increase over last year’s clicks on links to the advertisers that support AGS guides, noted AGS officials.
“This means that not only are there significantly more consumers who are camping and RVing or showing interest in doing so this summer, but they are checking out the restaurants, pet groomers, RV service facilities and attractions that advertise in the guides. This is a win for everyone involved,” Schaeffer said.
The guides are what campgrounds, RV parks and resorts provide to their guests upon check-in. The guides are a campground tool including site maps, park rules and regulations, as well as information about restaurants and other essential services, as well as fun things to see and do in the area, explained the release.
AGS sales teams work with park operators to identify the best local restaurants, dog groomers, RV repair shops, urgent care facilities and other local services and attractions that would benefit from exposure in the guides. The AGS sales teams secure sufficient advertising to cover the cost of producing each guide, therefore, park operators receive the printed guides for free, according to the release.
AGS also provides park operators with AGS loyalty dollars based on merchant support and account longevity that can be used to purchase everything from branded or unbranded clear plastic face shields and sneeze guards (PPE) to help park operators protect their employees and guests during the COVID-19 pandemic to rack cards to uniform shirts, internet marketing and an unending selection of promotional items, noted AGS officials.
On the print side, AGS’ printer uses a “touch-free” printing process to ensure that AGS guest guides are delivered to park operators in the absolute safest way possible, highlighted AGS.
“We started using a touch-free process when the pandemic first hit,” said AGS partner John Busch. Not only are the edges of the printed guides trimmed off before packaging, but employees who handle the guides wear masks and gloves throughout the production process.
“There is no human touching of the printed sheets,” continued Busch, “even signage and wallboards produced are sanitized with ultraviolet light.”
