Welcome Home RGV

The more things change!

Happy New Year, officially! We rang in the New Year with family in the Georgetown, Texas, area. There wasn’t a better gift than seeing all the motorhomes heading south! This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for – peak season has begun. It will be nonstop fun until St. Patrick’s Day, and I am rested and ready to go-go-go!

As far as the new year is concerned, I don’t have any dramatic resolutions for 2023. If anything, I’ve learned that things change, and I’d like to be more aware of the change that happens right before our eyes. When you’re in it, it’s hard to see sometimes. I’ve been working with Winter Texans for as long as I can remember in one capacity or another – and when I look back, I can see the changes – but on the day-to-day, sometimes things seem precisely as they were a very long time ago.

I’m naturally curious and like to send out surveys – no matter what the topic is, I always learn something. Last week, I surveyed resort managers on what occupancy looks like for the next few months vs. the following season. I wasn’t surprised by the results a bit, that numbers were not only up, but the demographic of those first-timers are a lot younger than what we’re used to seeing. Those younger faces come bearing new ideas, different approaches, and lifestyles. And I know that sometimes changes in the park activities can be a little scary, but they can also be exciting! For instance, a few years ago, someone had the bright idea to tape the hall floors and play pickleball. I’m sure there was some pushback in the beginning, but now there seem to be more parks with pickleball than without. Some might say that the introduction of pickleball into our world is a significant change, yet some might say it’s exactly as it’s always been. Life is interesting like that.

So let’s welcome those younger retirees and embrace the changes they will bring about! And most importantly, let’s show them a great time this season because our new retirees will pave the way for future generations of Winter Texans. So with your help, they will love it as much as we do and spread the word about the Rio Grande Valley of Texas to their friends, families, and networks. I welcome your thoughts and comments on the changes you’ve seen while wintering in Texas. Your insight is invaluable and can help protect the lifestyle we know and love! Drop me a line at kristi@welcomehomergv.com.

We call them Winter Texans

Having grown up in McAllen, Texas, I’ve never known life without the thousands of winter tourists who flock to the Rio Grande Valley each winter. They are called Snowbirds when they make a wrong turn and wind up in Florida or Arizona, but way down in South Texas, we call them Winter Texans.

The Valley is a special place, and I’m convinced a large part of that is because of the Winter Texans who have influenced us over the years. I enjoy Winter Texans so much that I built a business around serving them…and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.

Now I want to speak directly to our Winter Texans.

Oh how much fun I’ve had getting to know so many of you! The stories and adventures I’ve heard keep me wanting more year after year.

The one thing I realized, though, is that when I hear stories of ‘back home,’ I can’t seem to visualize what it might look like–other than cold! So this year, I decided to do something about it. We are hosting our first-ever Welcome Home RGV Winter Texan Reunion Tour, and you are invited! Just like the parties we plan for you while you’re here, we decided to plan a few parties right in your own backyard.

We’re bringing a bit of the RGV straight from McAllen to you. Come on out and enjoy an afternoon of fun, music, and fellowship with your fellow Winter Texans. Invite your friends who might be curious about what you do in South Texas all winter long. We’ve got plenty of goodies, giveaways, and door prizes, so come on out and celebrate South Texas with us.

My goal is to see as many of you as I can and to soak in the scenery from Minnesota to Illinois, with many points in between. I welcome suggestions on ‘must do’s’ and your favorite watering holes, but most of all, I hope you can join us for one, if not all, of our parties!

Here’s a quick schedule with links with all the details:

We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

Kristi Collier is a McAllen native who loves to share her passion for the area with others. Her company, Welcome Home RGV caters to the Winter & Converted Texan market through their events, activities, special interest publications and more. For more information, call the Welcome Home RGV office at 956-687-5115, visit www.welcomehomergv.com or visit on facebook at facebook.com/whrgv and facebook.com/wintertexan.

Winter-Texan season is upon us!

I don’t know about you, but to me, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! After a long, hot summer, we are excited to see the temps start to drop, but the temperature change means something even better than getting rid of sweaty brows. In South Texas, it means our Winter Texans are coming!

As early as October, you start to see out-of-state plates dotting the highway, and you can feel the excitement in the air that signals “the season” is coming. Most people think “the season” officially starts November 1, but I beg to differ. Each year, it seems our Winter Texans start to trickle in earlier and earlier.

And why not? I’m sure you’ve heard about the arctic blasts in our northern states. (Maybe we are being a little dramatic, but once it gets below 70, we tend to pull out our parkas.) There’s no doubt our Winter Texans think we’re crazy, but cool weather is not something we get very often. We get hot, hotter, and hotter than…

There is never a lack of things to do here in the Rio Grande Valley. Whether it’s dancing, shuffleboard, swimming, racing RC cars, or playing pickleball, this is the place to do them all.

We can’t wait to see you out and about this season. Welcome Home, y’all!

We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

What is a Converted Texan, anyway?

After working with Winter Texans for 10+ years, I’ve found that there are so many unique niche groups within the Winter-Texan market. From golfers to quilters to 1^st Responders to Red Hatters to singles, every time I turn around, I find a group of you who share similar interests.

My first year in the ‘business,’ a group of folks at Tip O’ Texas asked me to have dinner with them…in May. I thought, aren’t you supposed to be home by then? My curiosity was piqued, and I went on my first, of several, ‘Thirsty Thursday’ dinner outings. I came to find out that many of our Winter Texans decide they really like it in South Texas and decide to call the Rio Grande Valley their permanent home. Often times, our Converted Texans get lumped into the same boat as our Winter Texans, but even though they started out that way, they are the first to tell you they are NOT Winter Texans, that they live here permanently.

When you stop to think about the economic impact of our Winter Texans, it makes you stop to think about the impact our Converted Texans have on our community. They shop here year round. They support our schools, nonprofits, and churches. They are involved in the community at a higher level than someone who might be here for just a month or two. So I find it important–very important–to recognize these folks for all they do for us in the Rio Grande Valley.

We coined the phrase, ‘Converted Texan’ in 2010 to give these folks the recognition they deserve. We’re taking it one step further this year and having our ‘not so annual’ Converted Texan Corral April 10 at Llano Grande Resort. This is a party to celebrate this unique bunch and to hopefully entice some of our current Winter Texans to go through the ‘conversion’ process. Oh, what fun we have planned! Leslie Blasing will be performing, lunch will be served, and we’ll even have a swearing-in ceremony to make their status ‘official.’ We’ll make them raise their right hand and pledge allegiance to all things Texan and issue official Converted-Texan certificates!

Everyone is welcome, whether you are a Converted Texan or not. Just come and join the fun to celebrate this wonderful bunch. Advance tickets only! Please call 956-687-5115 to reserve yours today.

We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

We’re on a first name basis

And sometimes we are even lucky to even get that right, aren’t we? Name tags, are a wonderful thing. Not only do they help with introductions, they help jog the old memory on where we might have possibly met each other in the first place. Some name tags are bigger than others, take for instance Betty Emmons from Casa del Valle, who’s badge reflects over 20 seasons in the Valley, dates back to 1986. 1st Responders and in most cases are easily identified by their name tags. The Tropic Star cheerleaders can be easily spotted by the dangle on their badge. I’ve seen some that say everything from ‘manager’ to ‘activity director’ to line dancer’ and ‘single’. If our badges could talk, I wonder what kind of stories they might tell. What do you call those things that dangle from your badge? Badge bangle-dangles?

I also think it is great that not only do our badges reflect where we are, but also where we come from. I like to look at the badges and see the silent story that they tell, and for me, badges are often conversation starters.

Over the last five years I’ve learned a lot about you, and the way you operate. For instance, each and every one of you is very different, you come from different areas and backgrounds, you have different interests, hobbies and there is simply no way to ‘categorize’ our Winter Texans. You don’t all like to do the same things. There are a few things that are pretty common across the board though, you all like warm weather in February, you enjoy life to the fullest, and you have a hard time remembering certain things. Like last names, the day of the week, what you had for dinner and minor details.

I absolutely love when I visit a park and hear “hey Kristi” throughout the halls. I was just at Texas Trails for the Bernie & Red fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s and so many of you greeted me by my first name, and I loved every minute of it. I still use my last name (it’s Collier by the way), but I’d rather you spend your time remembering good times, good friends and great weather than last names.

I hope you’ll join me for our 3rd annual Welcome Home happy hour on Friday, February 22nd at the Mercedes Livestock Showgrounds from 1 – 4 pm. We’re going to have a happy hour like none other with entertainment by Leslie Blasing, John Sager and Jeff Gordon! Free admission and free parking, we’ll pass the hat, have beer, wine and setups available and we’d love to have you join us. Bring your lawnchairs and celebrate the season with us, and we’ll have you home in time for dinner.

We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

Let’s paint a picture

It never ceases to amaze me how many people are touched by this column and how many of them aren’t even Winter Texans. A friend recently told me she felt she had “a window to my soul.” (That can give a person writer’s block in a hurry.) I write from the heart and about what’s on my mind. Sometimes it relates to Winter Texans, and sometimes it doesn’t. Continue reading “Let’s paint a picture”

What’s next?

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. It’s been a busy time, and I kept thinking I will get to it when things slow down a bit. Since it doesn’t look like that is going to happen any time soon….here we go!

Believe it or not, this is Welcome Home RGV’s ninth season! It’s because of the faith and support of so many people that we have been able to make it this far. A lot has changed over the years. People have come and gone, and we’ve had great ideas, good ideas, bad ideas, and even a few downright terrible ones. But every day, we dust ourselves off, learn from our mistakes, and constantly try to improve our process.

It was February, 2008, when I had a vision, and that vision has become a reality. It didn’t happen overnight, thank goodness. We’ve learned the hard way and put in the sweat equity to prove it. And that is what makes us better and stronger than we ever realized we could be.

What started out as a ‘little coupon book for Winter Texans’ has turned into so much more. We’ve grown by leaps and bounds–from adding an annual directory and a weekly newspaper to purchasing the Winter Texan Expo to hosting our own signature events and activities. It does boggle the mind at times, yet somehow we all have managed to juggle it all. But what keeps us grounded is that our vision is centered around one thing: Winter Texans are such an integral part of our lives here in the Rio Grande Valley.

But that isn’t the exciting part. I’m excited about what the future holds for our company, where we’ll grow from here, and where we’ll be ten years from now. The winter market is changing, that’s for sure, but we aren’t afraid of change. We welcome it and will be there amidst it all to offer support, guidance, and solutions to those who need it and a lot of fun for everyone!

That vision in February 2008 was a gift, and we continue to be guided in the right direction. It’s our responsibility to watch, listen, learn, and adapt so we can keep this very important demographic protected.

I look so very forward to seeing all of your smiling faces this winter…and for many more to come!

Baby it’s HOT outside!

By this time, most of our Winter Texans have left the Rio Grande Valley, either to head off to your next adventure, to check on the farm, or to see those grandkids with whom the Valley just can’t compete. Something tells me that those who haven’t left just yet will, as Tim Smith from KRGV Channel 5 is projecting a high of 103 Saturday. (Sigh!)

And so it goes with life in the Rio Grande Valley. We love our winters but shudder just thinking about June, July, and August. In all honesty, though, I’d rather brave a South Texas summer than to try to live through another North Texas one (that’s why I only lasted in Dallas one year)! The Valley may be hot, but the high humidity and proximity to the coast allow for ‘cool’ breezes throughout the day and into the evenings. Yes, to some it might be called wind, but let this optimist see the glass as half full. It’s one of the only things that gets me through the summer.

The summers are hard, there is no doubt, but I would rather sweat through the summer than have to shovel snow. But I will say that as I get older and starting planning for the future, the thought of becoming a Winter Texan myself has crossed my mind a time or two. Spending the summer months on a lake somewhere in Michigan sounds mighty fine to me!

Whether you are still here or up north, you are always in our thoughts. We anxiously await your return and that touch of cooler weather you tend to bring with you.

We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

The Winter Texan Whisperer

I’ve been told that I’m the Winter Texan whisperer. I laughed when I first heard it; then I heard it again…and again…and again. People always ask me how I do it – how I have the ability to connect with so many retirees from across the United States and Canada. Well, to be honest, it’s not rocket science. But there IS a secret ingredient. You have to care. And I do. A LOT. The truth is that I really, REALLY love them. In order to have any strong relationship, you have to show you care. I know that is what sets us apart from others who are ‘in the business.’

One thing’s for sure, I want prospective Winter Texans to know that they’ll be in good hands while they winter in South Texas. And for those of you who are ‘seasoned’ Winter Texas or Converted Texans – you already know you’re about to have an amazing winter. At Welcome Home RGV, we work tirelessly to keep you informed of what’s going on across the Rio Grande Valley and, in some cases, beyond! We’ll not only keep you up to date, but we’ll be right there in the trenches with you, whether that be on a bike ride, at happy hour, at a craft show, or on the dance floor. We might even try to beat you at a game of cards!

We truly look forward to spending the winter with you. Safe travels to those of you who are on the road, and we’ll see you in South Texas real soon.

We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

The Accidental Publisher

I have made investing in my education and networking with industry leaders a priority. Over the course of my life with Welcome Home RGV, I have attended conferences, seminars, and conventions on topics ranging from social media strategies to the recreational vehicle industry, as a whole.

Much of the work we have done at Welcome Home RGV has been organic, stemming from seeing the demand for more and more of what we do and pushing ourselves to think outside the proverbial box and to improve each and every day.

I just returned from a conference in Austin for niche publishers. What I found was that there is a need for a publications on just about everything you can think of. From industry news to hobbyists, the potential to self-publish is out there. What was interesting to me was that, at first, I felt so out of place. With so many ‘real’ publishers at this conference, I felt silly calling myself a publisher. As I interacted with others and got to know some of the conference attendees, I found that I am not alone – so many folks came into the publishing world quite by accident. Going through the sessions on topics like content marketing, marketing automation, consultative selling, and media strategies made me realize how much we actually do; we just don’t call what we do by those ‘official names.’

I think what makes us successful at Welcome Home RGV is that we do what we love, do right, not only by our audience but also by our customer, and we package our passion into a variety of products, which creates an amazing company culture.

As I left the conference, I walked away with a long list of to-do’s and a whole lot of fresh ideas. It will be exciting to see what the next year brings, and we can’t wait to take you along for the ride.

We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi