Event History
FMCA’s first national “gathering” took place July 17, 18, and 19 at Ticonderoga in Ticonderoga, New York. A total of 106 member families attended this event, hailing from 20 states and the Canadian province of Quebec. In addition, representatives from Frank Motor Koach Homes, Clark Equipment Co., Wolfe Coaches, Private Coach Corporation, Telaak Kustom Koach, and Boyertown Auto Body Works were on hand to display their company’s products.
The inaugural gathering began with the Centaur folding motor scooter in the morning and the get-acquainted meeting in the afternoon. Attendees occupied the evening hours by socializing and viewing movies of the Adirondack, New York, region. Chartered buses transported FMCAers to Lake George for swimming. Informational Sessions dotted the schedule, including a discussion of CB radio led by Charlie Owens, F44, and Ray Fritz’s talk about layouts and fittings for converting coaches. A meeting for coach owners interested in parking neat the New York World’s Fair also took place.
FMCA’s early conventions incorporated many activities still featured today – and some no longer scheduled. For instance, during the association’s fifth annual summer convention in Bowling Green, Kentucky, a Volkswagen Bug auto was raffled off. Convention goers also participated in canoe races, folding bicycle races, and a zany hat contest.
FMCA’s first conventions were annual affairs, typically held each July. These gatherings grew steadily, topping 1,000 coaches at Essex Junction/Burlington, Vermont, at the ninth annual summer convention in July 1972. By 1976, conventions began to be held biannually; the first national gathering attracted 687 coaches in early March 1976 in Harlingen, Texas. For two years – 1989 and 1990 – FMCA hosted three conventions each year.
In July 1977, FMCA’s Syracuse, New York, convention boasted 2,169 coaches, topping the 2,000 mark for the first time. FMCA surpassed the 3,000 mark in March 1985 during an unseasonably cold March convention in Tucson, Arizona. All records were shattered in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1998, where the official count reached an incredible 7,258 coaches. Two years later, 7,422 coaches filled the Brunswick naval Airbase in Maine, establishing the all-time coach count record that still stands today.
From the outset, FMCA was a family organization supported by motorhome-related companies. Although infinitely smaller than today’s RV industry, several companies were already in business in those early days. FMCA commercial members have supported the association’s conventions and rallies by exhibiting, sponsoring entertainment and coffee hour, providing door prices (even a Foretravel coach in 1978), performing coach service, and donating the time of countless industry officials.
From the beginning, industry representatives felt it was important to unite as a collective body to better both coach owners and companies. In January 1966, the first meeting of the Manufacturer’s Advisory Board took place in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later, company officials served on the Industry Advisory Board. Today, the FMCA Commercial Council continues to meet twice yearly.
Convention History
- View the coach counts for various conventions.
- View convention photos.
Media
All media inquiries should be directed to Pam Kay, Director of Communications, Publishing. She can be reached
at (800) 543-3622;
Contact
Family Motor Coach Association
Events Department
8291 Clough Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45244
Toll Free: (800) 543-3622
Direct: (513) 474-3622
Fax: (513) 474-2332
Email:
