More than 7,000 motor homes will roll into Ames during the week of July 26 for the 36th Annual Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) National Convention.

As the convention grows in popularity every year, it becomes more challenging to find a site with enough land to accommodate the vehicles, said Rich Harter, executive director of the Ames Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. He is in charge of planning the event.

The Iowa State Fairgrounds hosted the convention in the late 1980s, but it can no longer hold all the motor homes expected.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad suggested Ames in 1995 as an ideal site for the convention, Harter said.

Harter said he hopes the convention gives visitors a positive impression of Iowa State.

“We want the people to leave Ames saying that Ames is a great city and that the university is one of the best in the country,” he said.

The annual motor home conventions have been held at colleges in the past, including Notre Dame University, the University of Virginia and the University of New Mexico.

With more than 20,000 visitors expected in July, Harter said the entire state can expect an enormous boost to the economy.

“The convention-goers are a very affluent group,” he said. “Restaurants and retail will see a boost, not only for Ames, but for the state of Iowa.”

The motor homes will park on 200 acres of research farmland designated by ISU for the convention. Harter said FMCA has already reimbursed ISU for the use of the land, which is located south of ISU Research Park.

Security, health and safety are major factors to consider when planning such an enormous event, Harter said.

“The FMCA hires its own security force for internal security and for exhibits,” he said. “Our local police, the state patrol and the [Department of Public Safety] will be plenty.”

Activities are planned mostly by the FMCA, but the association does consider local talent and speakers when planning the event.

“Our role is to prepare the community for the convention and to facilitate for the association by providing land and local information,” Harter said.

As part of the convention, Hilton Coliseum’s parking lot will be filled with many manufacturers of recreational vehicles showcasing their products.

However, Earl Moore, president of Twin Anchors RV Sales and Service in Colo, said he does not expect the event will increase business.

“We may get a little bit, but I don’t think it will affect our business too much,” he said.

Joe Norris, salesman at Gookin RV Sales in Story City, said the dealership plans to do something special for the event.

“We are still in the preliminary stages of planning for the convention; we haven’t got a lot ready yet,” he said. “But we expect a lot of traffic.”