"Undercover Boss"
Centennial Charlie Visits Little Dealer RV Deer Valley Location
Yogi Bear's Friend for 100 Years

Congratulations to the Sampson family (which includes Roger) and especially dad.

 This year is the 100th anniversary of the RV business. In 1910 the first RV's (pop-up trailers) were mass produced. As part of the industries Centennial Celebration RV Business publications went on a search to identify the 100 most influential people in the RV industry over the past 100 years. This was a huge task because there are thousands of companies such as, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, publishers, dealers, finance, marketing firms, software companies, parks, campgrounds, etc. that are associated with the RV industry.

The Sampson family (all of us), and dad specifically, are one of only 8 RV dealers named as the most influential over the past century. View PDF of Article


Centennial Charlie
Charlie's great grandpa
Centennial Charlie Great Grandpa















Charlie as a kid on the farm, "I want to see the world ma!"
Centennial Charlie as a Kid





















Charlie's Grandpa - 1940s Teardrop
Teardrop Trailer





















Charlie fishing with grandpa
Centennial Charlie fishing with grandpa





















Charlie hard at work...
Centennial Charlie at Work

Charlie as "Undercover Boss"...
Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Parts





















Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Service 1  Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Service2

Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Tech1  Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Tech2
Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Tech3  Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Tech4

Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Sales1  Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Sales2
Centennial Charlie Undercover Boss Sales Meeting






















Charlie RV camping with Jr
Centennial Charlie camping with Jr  Centennial Charlie Jr Campfire

Centennial Charlie Jr Making Friends  Centennial Charlie Jr Picnic
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As America's RV industry revs up for a year's worth of celebrations in recognition of its 2010 Centennial, RVIA is sending the Official Ambassador of the 2010 RV Centennial - a 34" American black bear stuffed animal - on a road trip to honor the people who love RVing and the workers who are the heart and soul of the RV industry. 
 
Starting this month, RV companies and consumer shows participating in "Centennial Charlie's Cross-Country Caravan" will host the 2010 RV Centennial mascot for a few days before sending him on to his next stop on the 100-day tour. Centennial Charlie, who is inspired by the bear in Go RVing's 2010 "Ambassadors of Affordability" ad campaign, will bring the industry's celebrations to RV enthusiasts and RV employees in a fun, unconventional way.
 
"Since a central theme of the Centennial Celebration is a 'Salute to RV Workers,' we wanted to be sure to reach out to those workers with our Centennial Ambassador," said RVIA President Richard Coon. "We in the RV industry know that the hard-working men and women on the factory floors, in the offices, and out in the field are the heart and soul of our industry." On the occasion of its Centennial Anniversary, the RV industry will thank and honor its workers, whose commitment to creating quality RV products has helped bring American families closer together for a century.
 
During Charlie's visits, staff of RV companies and consumer shows will take photos of the bear with RV workers and showgoers and, at the conclusion of Charlie's journey, RVIA will produce a video chronicle of the mascot's tour including photographs taken on his travels. The video will be shared at the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum, and later will be posted on YouTube.
 
RVIA Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Gary LaBella said, "When Charlie comes to visit RVIA member companies and consumer shows, he will be our industry's ambassador in honoring both its workers and enthusiasts, so they too can celebrate the RV Centennial in a novel, exciting way."
 
The American Black Bear is native to North America, and resides throughout most of the United States. An American black bear named "Charlie" appeared in the 2006 - 2009 "What Will You Discover? Go RVing" television commercials.  An animated American Black Bear appears in the Go RVing "Ambassadors of Affordability" commercials, set to launch February 12.

Charlie's Friends and Fellow RVers
Ambassador BisonAmbassador Fox
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More Centennial Charlie Adventures:

RESTON, Va. -- During a time in the nation's capital when bitter infighting between Democrats and Republicans is at an all-time high, Centennial Charlie, the official mascot of the RV Centennial, has embarked on a goodwill tour of Capitol Hill offices and has proven to be that rarest of creatures - one who is beloved by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.

"Centennial Charlie has spent a whirlwind week meeting with key members of Congress and learning the 'bear' essentials of how things get done inside the beltway," said Dianne Farrell, vice president of government affairs for the RV Industry Association. "In addition to his largely ceremonial role as ambassador for the RV Centennial, Charlie was quite an effective lobbyist promoting House and Senate Resolutions designating June 2010 as RV Centennial Celebration month."

RVIA legal counsel is checking on Charlie's possible lobbying registration requirements.Centennial Charlie in Washington DC

Farrell also noted that Charlie has brought several intangibles to his DC tour, saying, "Centennial Charlie is just what Washington, D.C. needs right now. A big, sweet bear to remind them that what's really important is the quality time we spend with our family and friends. And that there is no better way to spend that time than RVing in America's Great Outdoors."

During his time in the nation's Capital, Centennial Charlie attended a Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) fundraiser on April 20th and had drinks with Minority Leader Boehner (R-Ohio) the evening of April 21 at the Capitol Hill Club. Charlie spent time with several members on April 22, including many members of the Indiana House delegation -- Joe Donnelly (D), Mark Souder (R), Dan Burton (R), and Mike Pence (R).

But anonymous sources are reporting that Charlie has been spotted around town on unscheduled visits as well. One D.C. insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, "I'm pretty sure I spotted Charlie exiting the Supreme Court." This fact, combined with Charlie's quiet, judicial temperament have fueled speculation that he could be President Obama's next Supreme Court nominee.

A video account of Centennial Charlie's Cross-Country Caravan will be screened at the RV Centennial Celebration, taking place June 7 at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind. This is an industry-only event open to those 18 years of age and older. Tickets are required.

To purchase tickets, e-mail hdang@rvia.org.

SOURCE: RV Industry Association press release

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