David Gorin, the industry pioneer who helped establish the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (NationalARVC) as the voice of the North American campground industry, passed away early Sunday (June 11). He was 78.

“David had an enormous influence on National ARVC and our industry in general,” Paul Bambei, National ARVC President & CEO said. “He will always be remembered as National ARVC’s first Executive Director who saved the association in its early, formative years when financial solvency was uncertain.”

Gorin is nationally known for his pioneering work beginning in the late 1980s to transform the National Association of Campground Owners (NCOA) into the free-standing and financially solvent National ARVC, representing and promoting commercial park industry interests in government affairs, education and marketing across the U.S.

“While we spent numerous years together professionally, I think the thing I enjoyed most were those times where we would just sit and visit about our personal lives and our families,” Jeff Sims, Senior Director of National ARVC’s State Relations and Program Advocacy said. “He will certainly be missed.”

Gorin was the association’s chief executive from 1987 to 2001, during which time he helped establish an industry-wide Model Code of national building code standards for campgrounds and RV parks. The standards were initially outlined in the American National Standards Institute Code Section 1194 and subsequently added to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes.

Other major accomplishments under Gorin’s leadership include the establishment of the National School of RV Park and Campground Management, the launch of GoCampingAmerica.com, and the development of the National Foundation for RVing and Camping (now the ARVC Foundation). From 2002 through 2010, Gorin also served as a National ARVC government affairs representative.

His funeral service will be held on Longboat Key at Temple Beth Israel on Wednesday, June 14 at 1:30 p.m., followed by a graveside service and reception at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Avenue in Sarasota. Temple Beth Israel will be hosting a Zoom webcast of the funeral as well for individuals who can’t make it in person. You can also click here for more updates and to share your thoughts on CaringBridge.org.