CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The 2024 OHI Board of Directors election officially closed Monday, Oct. 7, and OHI announces the eight newly elected members of its Board of Directors. They are:

• Rafael Correa – Chief Financial Officer, Blue Water
• ​Lisa Courtney – Director of Operations, Camp Jellystone
• ​Mike Gurevich – Campground Owner, Cherry Hill Park
• ​Jeff Hoffman – President, MHD Corp/Sandusky KOA Ohio
• ​Ashley Migliaccio – Assistant Operations Manager, Hidden Acres Family Campground
• ​Sam Mueller – Owner, Forest Haven RV Park
• ​Cathy Reinard – Owner, Gilboa KOA
• ​Glen Williamson – CEO, Two Creeks Campground

“This election marks a significant achievement for OHI,” said Paul Bambei, president and CEO of OHI. “In the past, ARVC struggled with low voter engagement, compounded by uncontested elections and confusing geographic barriers. Historically, our turnout fell short of the average 3% for trade associations. This year, however, we saw a remarkable increase in voter participation, reaching 7% in our first contested, at-large election—double the national average! With this positive momentum, we are confident that participation will continue to grow year after year.”

These newly elected Board members will be sworn in Nov. 6, at the annual membership meeting at the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) in Oklahoma City, Okla.

If you would like to register for OHCE (Nov. 4-6, 2024), visit ohi.org/ohce.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Now in its 14th year, the RVBusiness Top 50 program celebrates those North American RV dealerships that, in the eyes of an esteemed panel of independent judges, best exemplifies dealer excellence in customer and community service. Winning dealers will be recognized during a presentation Nov. 13 during the RV Dealers Convention/Expo at Paris Las Vegas.

The Top 50 program is made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of the following organizations: Airxcel Inc., Brown & Brown Insurance, Cummins Inc., GE Appliances, Genesis Products, Northpoint Commercial Finance, NTP-STAG, Performance Brokerage Services, Protective Asset Protection, RV Trader, and Wells Fargo.

RVBusiness will publish a profile of each Top 50 sponsor leading up to the RV Dealers Convention/Expo.

Brown & Brown Insurance

Brown & Brown Insurance has deep roots in the RV industry and a long history of giving back to worthy organizations, perhaps most notably the RV Dealers Association.

In May, the company made a $26,666 contribution for 2024 to the RVDA Mike Molino RV Learning Center. The pledge fulfills Brown & Brown’s pledge of $200,000 for the RV Learning Center.

“The RV Learning Center continues to prove its incredible value as a source of training and education for the nation’s dealership fixed-ops personnel and we consider our contributions to be a good investment in the future of the industry,” says Michael Neal, president of Brown & Brown Dealer Services.

Brown & Brown’s parent company, Brown & Brown Inc., is the sixth-largest independent insurance brokerage in the nation and provides risk management solutions to help protect what its customers value most. The company has more than 16,000 teammates and more than 500 locations worldwide.

Brown and Brown is always looking to introduce new products for RV dealers and end customers. At last year’s RVDA Convention & Expo, the company introduced its first roof service contract, called Roof Pro, which it touts as the industry’s first service contract designed to cover RV roofs. The service contract is the result of an exclusive partnership between Brown & Brown and supplier Alpha Systems. The contract has a five-year term with a $100 deductible and a $10,000 limited liability limit.

To support its dealer partners, Brown & Brown hosts an annual F&I school for all of its dealers, at no cost to those dealers. In 2023, the company hosted a three-day school for the first time, which enabled 23 presentations from vendors, lenders and Brown & Brown employees.

What’s more, not only does Brown & Brown offer in-house F&I training, but it also offers compliance training for all of its dealers. The company says the majority of its agents have sat in the F&I seat themselves at one point in life and can truly relate to dealers and the process of a sale.

Brown & Brown is a proud sponsor of the RV Business Top 50 Dealer Awards program. “We value the relationship we have with all of our dealers, and truly support this program,” says Shawn Moran, president of RV F&I and Brown & Brown Dealer Services.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is from Kelly Davis, the research director for the Outdoor Industry Association. Click here to read the report at OutdoorIndustry.org.

The outdoor market continues to face challenges, underperforming compared to the broader U.S. economy despite slight growth in sales. Over the past year (August 2023 to July 2024), the outdoor market saw a modest 1% increase in total dollars sold, reaching $28.3 billion. However, units sold declined by 3.1%. This performance contrasts with the U.S. GDP, which grew by 1.4% in Q1 2024 and 3% in Q2 2024, highlighting the disconnect between the economy’s overall strength and the outdoor industry’s sluggish growth.

Our latest State of the Outdoor Market Report examines economic indicators, sales trends, consumer behavior, and evolving market opportunities. Key findings include:

1. Sales Trends:

While total sales in dollars grew slightly, unit sales declined, particularly in the Independent Outdoor Retail segment, which saw a 6.6% drop. Retail eCommerce sales were also down by 2.3%.

Footwear emerged as a bright spot, showing growth in both dollars and units sold, while apparel and equipment sales declined.

2. Economic Context:

Inflation rose by 2.5% from August 2023 to July 2024, but increased wages (+3.5%) and stable employment have allowed consumers to maintain buying power. Despite this, consumers are prioritizing spending on essentials, which has affected discretionary purchases in the outdoor sector.

3. Consumer Behavior and Motivation:

The outdoor participant base grew by 4.1%, with 175.8 million Americans now engaging in outdoor activities. However, the core group of frequent outdoor enthusiasts has shrunk.

A shift in motivations is evident, with more consumers engaging in outdoor activities for mental health and wellness rather than physical fitness or skill development. Wealthier, older individuals are particularly likely to use the outdoors as a coping mechanism, contributing to a rise in casual outdoor products like backyard games and insulated drinkware.

4. Market Opportunities:

Despite declines in traditional outdoor gear sales, there are opportunities for growth in casual outdoor products. Brands and retailers should focus on aligning their offerings with the changing motivations of outdoor consumers, particularly by catering to both casual participants and core outdoor enthusiasts.

Overall, while the outdoor market faces headwinds, understanding shifts in consumer motivations and adapting to these changes presents a pathway for future growth.

Stay Ahead with OIA’s Industry-Leading Research

To help our members better understand the markets and the people they serve, OIA sponsors and produces comprehensive research that offers expert insights into participation trends, market forces, and consumer behavior. With access to this data, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the evolving outdoor market and how to meet the needs of today’s outdoor consumers.

Leverage our research to drive your strategy forward. Explore the latest reports and resources to ensure your brand is positioned for growth and success in this dynamic landscape.

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From National Indoor RV Center: Angie Morell, national sales director for National Indoor RV Center (NIRVC), introduces you to the 2025 Class A Diesel Newmar Northern Star 3418. The 2025 Newmar Northern Star is built on the A 360-horsepower Freightliner XCR chassis that features a Cummins B Diesel Engine offers plenty of power for any adventure. It is powered by a 8.0 kW Cummins Onan Diesel Quiet Series Generator. At any NIRVC Design Center, you have the power to transform the 2025 Northern Star into your dream RV. Personalize it with your preferred interior decor, furniture layouts, and add-on options such as a stacked washer and dryer or a freezer in the pull-out exterior compartment. The 2025 Northern Star is not just a luxury RV, it’s a reflection of your unique style and preferences.

The RVBusiness Featured Video is sponsored by CURT, a Lippert towing brand.

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FAIRFAX, Va. – The National RV Dealers Association (RVDA) announces the extension of its agreement with PartnerShip, the association’s endorsed shipping partner, to offer exclusive FedEx discounts and freight savings for RVDA members.

This continued collaboration will help to streamline logistics at competitive prices for RVDA members, further supporting the growth and operational efficiency of both small and mid-sized RV dealerships.

Key benefits of the endorsed provider agreement include:

• Exclusive Discounts: RVDA members will continue to enjoy substantial savings on FedEx shipping services including 45 percent off FedEx Express and 25 percent off FedEx Ground and Home Delivery services.
• Tailored Solutions: RV Dealers can take advantage of customized shipping solutions, including LTL and truckload shipments that meet the unique needs of their dealerships.
• Improved Logistics: Access to a nationwide network of highly respected carriers, as well as personalized service from industry experts to ensure timely and efficient deliveries.

“RVDA is committed to finding ways to support our members’ success, and our Endorsed Provider agreement with PartnerShip helps dealers manage increased shipping costs more effectively,” said RVDA President Phil Ingrassia. “Extending this collaboration ensures our members will continue to benefit from top-tier shipping services while enjoying greater convenience, making their operations smoother and more profitable.”

Erika Kempf, PartnerShip program manager added, “We are grateful to continue our Endorsed Provider status with RVDA and are dedicated to being a resource that will help RVDA members ship smarter, save money, and stay competitive. We look forward to the continued success of this program.”

RVDA members who want to take advantage of these exclusive shipping discounts, click here or contact Patrick Calpin at [email protected] or (703) 364-5528.

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Aqua-Hot, an Airxcel brand, debuted two new product offerings at this year’s Airxcel New Product Showcase, which is Oct. 16-17 at the Peter Orthwein Pavilion on the RV/MH Hall of Fame campus in Elkhart, Ind.

The Wave40 is an innovative, patent-pending technology offering 34,000 BTUs and 10% more airflow than the Aqua-Hot Gen1, according to a company release. It ensures on-demand hot water and is suitable for high altitudes up to 15,000 feet. The system boasts intuitive controls, Wi-Fi connectivity, four heating fan speeds, ten air circulation fan speeds, and an automated timer to keep everyone comfortable and cozy during cooler weather. Additionally, the unit is open source and RVC ready for easy installation.

The Aqua-Hot Edge Tankless On Demand Water Heater provides an instant supply of hot water at a controlled temperature as set by the RV owner. The on-demand feature reduces energy consumption by only engaging the burners when hot water is needed, be it for a shower, cleaning dishes or for hosing off after a day at the beach. Sized to fit into existing standard 6-gallon water heater side-wall cutouts, the unit comes ready for setup with an included wall mount digital control center and is available in doored or doorless models.

Selma Salihagic, Aqua-Hot General Manager, said, “Our latest Aqua-Hot products offer RV builders cutting-edge heating and hot water solutions, ensuring ultimate comfort on the road. The Wave40 represents a massive jump in innovation compared to what exists in the market today and epitomizes Aqua-Hot’s commitment to innovation in luxury RV heating. With its patent-pending features and rating for usage up to 15,000 feet, customers can enjoy comfortable travel at any elevation in North America and Europe. Say goodbye to military showers!”

Salihagic continued, “We are also excited to announce the release of the Aqua-Hot Edge Tankless On Demand Water Heater. This state-of-the-art product includes a recirculating loop, guaranteeing that hot water is always available, providing an almost ‘instant hot’ experience. No more wasting precious on-board water while waiting for the spigot to heat up. At Aqua-Hot, we are committed to elevating the user experience and setting new standards in the industry. We believe this new product will significantly enhance comfort and convenience for our customers and OEM partners. We look forward to continuing to lead the way in providing superior heating solutions. Why settle for lukewarm when you can have Aqua-Hot?”

For more information on Aqua-Hot products debuted at the 2024 New Product Showcase, reach out to our business development team at [email protected].

About Aqua-Hot

Part of the Airxcel family of trusted companies, Aqua-Hot Heating Systems has manufactured innovative hydronic heating solutions for RVs since 1984. Highly adaptable to a wide variety of applications, its products run on diesel, gasoline, or propane fuels. AquaHot.com

About Airxcel, Inc.

Airxcel is the leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of the most critically functional products for the RV industry. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, the Airxcel family of brands includes 16 companies with 15 facilities across the U.S. and Europe. Airxcel.com

The post Aqua-Hot Launches Two New Products at Airxcel Showcase first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – Pleasure-Way Industries is a leading manufacturer of Class B motorhomes, while remaining a family-owned and operated business since the beginning of its journey in 1986. Pleasure-Way founder, Merv Rumpel, started this company on the foundation of an old-fashioned work ethic, pride in craftsmanship and a customer comes first approach to business. Dean Rumpel, Merv’s son, is now the current Pleasure-Way CEO and is proud to follow these same principles today, according to a release.

In early July of 2024, Pleasure-Way scheduled the build of its 20,000 motorhome. “I still remember the day that I built the first one,” says Merv Rumpel, founder of Pleasure-Way. Merv was 54 years old when he completed the very first build of a Pleasure-Way Motorhome. Now, 38 years later, the company continues to follow the same practice of hand-crafted and custom-fit builds to achieve the high quality Pleasure-Way is known for. Merv is now 92 years old and, nearly four decades later, he proudly stands with his team celebrating an incredible company milestone.

“The cornerstone of any company is their people. We are fortunate to have great staff that take pride in their work, which results in a product we are all proud of,” says Dean Rumpel. Pleasure-Way Industries has always been Powered by People, prioritizing their staff because they recognize that their employees are their greatest asset. With a highly skilled team of over 200 people dedicated to attention to detail, and a commitment to quality, Pleasure-Way continues to lead the industry in Class B motorhome manufacturing today.

Pleasure-Way officials are thrilled to announce this incredible milestone in the company’s illustrious history. With pride, Dean, and his dedicated team at Pleasure-Way continue to work together to drive the outstanding quality and innovation of Class B motorhomes.

About Pleasure-Way Industries

Merv Rumpel founded Glenwood Trailer Sales in 1968, marking the beginning of his journey in the RV business. After 18 years, he recognized a gap in the market for high-quality Class B motorhomes. In 1986, Merv and his team crafted the first ten Pleasure-Way models in the back shop of the Glenwood Trailer Sales. Driven by a vision to create motorhomes built to withstand the test of time, Merv set out to prioritize quality in an industry that often overlooked it. Since then, Pleasure-Way has consistently focused on quality, establishing itself as one of the most trusted names in the RV industry.

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CHICAGO – The RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) launched its highly anticipated third annual educational symposium Wednesday with an inspiring keynote and acclaimed speaker, Amanda Gore, according to a release. With a message centered on finding “Joy” in everyday life, Gore captivated the audience and set a positive tone for the event, which concludes today at the Westin Convention Center Hotel.

In a world where juggling a career, family, and other commitments can often feel overwhelming, happiness can sometimes feel elusive. Gore’s presentation emphasized that we can reclaim our joy and maintain it through simple yet fundamental changes, all grounded in the “mindbody” approach. By reminding attendees that our mental and physical wellbeing are not separate but intrinsically connected, her message resonated deeply with participants.

Using humor and personal experience, Gore not only entertained but also empowered individuals to change their attitudes and, subsequently, their lives. Her engaging session inspired attendees to take actionable steps towards embracing happiness, no matter their circumstances.

“It’s great to see people back again this year and also new faces,” commented Susan Carpenter, President of the RV Women’s Alliance. “What a fantastic way to kick off our third Symposium.”

The event will run until Thursday evening, concluding with an awards dinner where RVWA will honor women, men, and companies that advocate for and support women.

This symposium continues the RV Women’s Alliance’s tradition of fostering a community that supports, empowers and uplifts women in the RV industry. By bringing together leaders and change-makers, the Alliance aims to provide attendees with the tools and motivation needed to thrive both professionally and personally.

About the RV Women’s Alliance

Founded in 2019, the RV Women’s Alliance purpose is to elevate, educate, and promote women in the RV industry, making the RV industry a place where women thrive. Open to anyone in the RV industry who supports our mission, the Alliance has more than 2,900 members from more than 500 companies. The Alliance is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, with leadership based across the United States and Canada. Learn more at www.rvwa.org.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Wednesday was getaway day for those attending the Route 66 Rally at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, but most of the dealers in attendance stayed for one last morning meeting where they were updated on network happenings and given one last challenge to rise above.

Those dealers were treated to an enthusiastic final session that included some details of a number of new programs the network is in the process of putting out to the membership.

Most of all, however, they were offered encouragement from the organization’s leadership.

As the industry nears the end of another year of uncertainty following the boom years of COVID, Route 66 RV Network dealers face the same questions and challenges as others. But they have the network to fall back on and help strengthen their businesses, officials stressed.

“We and our members need to continue to be mobile and agile as we make our way next year,” Co-Founder Steve Francis told the crowd that assembled for the morning meeting. He said the network and its members are able to do just that because they are independent. “The network is in a great position.”

Co-Founder Rob Merrill said members not only benefit from shared best practices and the programs offered through the Route 66 Network, but they also gain strength from the shared culture and values that are necessary to become a part of the network.

“We’ve never had more to offer than we do right now,” he said.

At the end of the meeting, the Larry Coker Commitment Award was presented to David and Amy Stroup of Coastal RV in Carrollton, Va.

The Larry Coker Award basically is Route 66’s dealer of the year award, but also is more of a lifetime achievement award given to those who exemplify the values of the network and support its goals.

According to Coastal’s website, the dealership is a family owned and operated business with the “Coastal Crew” members being an integral part of the daily operation.

The dealership stocks a selection of Forest River products as well as some other name plates.

Merrill praised the Coastal team – members of the network for about 12 years – for being examples of what the Route 66 Network tries to be when it’s at its best. He said the team treats is customers well and offers honest business practices that can be depended upon.

Next year’s Route 66 Rally will be held Oct. 13-15 again at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

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ELKHART, Ind. – Once again, Airxcel Inc. has used its annual New Product Showcase to introduce new products in new category segments. Last year it was the InVision brand of RV appliances, while this year it’s the Solace line of furniture and Forma, which will be Airxcel’s chassis components division.

More information on those new Solace and Forma brands will be forthcoming, but suffice to say that both are part of the company’s growth plan that is led by product innovation and market opportunities.

“We’ve had a plan to grow our business through new products since the day I joined the operation, which was 2016,” Airxcel President Anthony Wollschlager told RVBusiness. “We’ve always focused on new product development and innovation. We may have accelerated that over the last few years. We’re being opportunistic where we see there being opportunities and, really, our partners are supporting us to enter new spaces.”

Concluding today at the Peter Orthwein Pavilion at the RV/MH Hall of Fame campus in Elkhart, Ind., Airxcel’s New Product Showcase is the company’s opportunity to gather under one roof its different divisions – now up to 16 – located across the country.

“And then, secondly, I think it’s an opportunity for us to show the industry our entire scale,” Wollschlager added. “Airxcel itself doesn’t make anything, but we have significant brands that do all the heavy lifting. So, to bring them all in one location, I think it also shows the marketplace the scale that we have.

Certainly, the Solace furniture line and Forma chassis component brand will garner much of the attention, but that’s not to say Airxcel’s existing brands didn’t introduce their own innovations as well – including the Aqua-Hot Wave40. Again, more information on those products will be released by the company over the coming days.

“All of our legacy brands have significant product extensions that we’ve been focusing on and a lot of innovation with core products that we’ve always taken to market,” Wollschlager said.

Troy Nusbaum, vice president of OEM sales, added that “every product that’s in here is new. We haven’t brought anything that’s a carryover or as we say, a ‘re-tread.’ They are all brand new products that a lot of our customers are seeing for the first time.”

Mentioning that the timing of the showcase so closely after the Open House is also a benefit, Nusbaum said the new products in new segments are oftentimes the result of leveraging Airxcel’s various skill sets.

“Let’s use Suburban as example,” he continued. “At its core, Suburban Manufacturing is known for furnaces and water heaters. But they have a great skill set in working with metal fabrication, which is where we bore into this Suburban step program. People might think, ‘How do you get into steps when you’re working with gas appliances?’ Well, ultimately, they’re really good at fabricating metal. So, we were able to lever that skill set and actually get into new segments where customers have asked us to.”

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