RVers heading to Havasu

Bob Jobe wants the thousands of people who flock to the city every winter, known as “snowbirds” to know he hasn’t forgotten about them.

More than 40 recreational vehicles will visit Havasu Wednesday to Sunday for the first Western Regional Suites Owner’s International Rally. Jobe, owner of Sunshine RV in Havasu, said visitors from as far as Quebec, Canada, Florida, Maine and New York will make the cross-country trek to see what Havasu has to offer. The five-day event will serve as a social gathering for RV lovers across the country, Jobe said.

“Years ago, I came to Havasu from Detroit and I just fell in love with the place,” Jobe said. “We like to focus on tourism and bringing more people here but I think we forget our snowbirds sometimes. This is all about bringing more people into Havasu and saying, ‘Havasu is beautiful and on the map, come take a look.’”

The Suite Owner’s International Travel Club hosts rallies in the east every year and Jobe said he was honored when organizers picked Havasu to host the first western rally.

“I knew they picked the right place but I told them I wouldn’t do it unless we’re going to benefit Havasu,” he said. “We have so many great things to offer, besides the London Bridge, and this is a great chance to show that to more people.”

Lake Havasu Hospitality Association Executive Director Greg Tryon said he was excited to learn Sunshine RV was selected to host the rally.

“I think it’s a wonderful event that will bring people to the town in a new way,” he said. “We are all about attracting visitors to our community and this is a great way to focus on some people that are missed in other places.”

Jobe said he had two goals in organizing the event: Show off the city and raise $5,000 to help Haven House Women’s Center. Haven House is a part of the Haven Family Resource Center, which is a nonprofit organization in Lake Havasu City that provides services for child and adult victims of abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault.

“We are always wanting to bring more people here because we say we’re about tourism but I think we’re missing the boat a little bit,” he said. “We need to bring people here and look to benefit our city at the same time. Not just with restaurants or from things down by the London Bridge, but our whole city and our organizations that need our help.”

Jobe said Havasu was selected because it is one of the few RV havens that continue to thrive in the down economy.

“A lot of manufacturers have gone out of business in the last few years,” he said. “Nobody has really done anything for the RV industry, to help people that already have units. Getting people to come here is a chance for us to show that we’re here and that we haven’t forgotten them.”

The rally is set to take place at the Havasu RV Resort and while most activities are for RV members only, Jobe said Sunshine RV would open Saturday to all residents to see the various new RVs on the lot at 2995 Maricopa Ave. The rally will also move off-site for the 21st annual Western Winter Blast hosted by the Western Pyrotechnics Association Saturday to SARA Park.

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com