Nevada Tourism Grand Prize Is a 2003 Winnebago Sightseer

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 15, 2003; The Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) will launch the $1 million Nevada RV Adventure Sweepstakes Jan. 18-26 at the recreational vehicle industry's largest U.S. trade show, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt announced today. RV and road-trip enthusiasts who visit Nevada may enter the sweepstakes to win a new 2003 Winnebago Sightseer valued at more than $70,000. Visitors may enter up to five times, once from each of Nevada's five tourism "territories," at any of the 72 participating RV and state parks and at chambers of commerce and convention and visitor bureaus statewide. "Families, especially the baby boomer market, are choosing roadtrips because they seek the quality time and lifelong memories that come with RV travel," Hunt, NCOT chair, said. "Nevada offers RV enthusiasts the perfect blend of outdoor recreation, wide open spaces, scenic beauty and historic wonders they're searching for in a family vacation or weekend getaway." No purchase is necessary and the deadline to enter is Oct. 15. Details appear on NCOT's Web site, http://www.travelnevada.com . NCOT will kick-off the sweepstakes, now entering its third year, at the 20th Annual Sports, Vacation and RV Show in Quartzsite, Ariz., where thousands of recreational vehicle enthusiasts view the latest motorhomes, campers, travel trailers, and other RVs, gear, and industry products. Richard Curtin, director of consumer surveys for the University of Michigan Survey Research Center, says RV shipments are forecasted to reach a 25-year high this year, and the number of RV-owning households will increase 15 percent by the year 2010. The RV Sweepstakes promotion works hand-in-hand with NCOT's adventure travel campaign that challenges visitors to experience Nevada's numerous outdoor recreation opportunities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, camping, hiking and hunting. NCOT is investing $1 million in the promotion over three years. This year, NCOT will attend 12 RV trade shows and rallies to promote RV travel and distribute road trip information. Radio promotions will be broadcast in Portland, Seattle and Salt Lake City this spring and ads will run in RV publications through the fall. NCOT's partners in the promotion include Winnebago Industries, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), the 1 million-member Good Sam Club, and Affinity Group, Inc., parent company of publications such as Trailer Life, MotorHome, and Highways. The national association RVIA represents nearly 500 RV manufacturers and component suppliers that produce about 98 percent of all recreational vehicles made in the United States.