Month: October 2024

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.

The post RVWA’s Annual Education Symposium Launches with ‘JOY’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

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.

The post Route 66 Finishes Dealer Rally with Network on Solid Footing first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

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.”

The post Airxcel Debuts New Brands, Products at Elkhart Showcase first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ATHENS, Texas – The National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) announces the addition of Erin Ortiz as its new Student Concierge. Ortiz, who has been in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the past seven years after relocating from South Texas, brings a diverse background in hospitality management, artistry, and finance to the NRVTA team.

Ortiz holds a degree in studio art and is currently pursuing a degree in accounting and finance. With her passion for creativity and a solid foundation in management, she said she was thrilled to join NRVTA. “When I read the posting for Student Concierge, I was excited because it was everything I was used to doing but in a completely different industry. I look forward to learning more about NRVTA and am proud to be part of the team,” said Ortiz.

Her experience in hospitality management will enhance her role as a Student Concierge, helping students navigate their journey through RV technician training and certification. Erin’s unique combination of skills makes her well-suited to assist students as they embark on their educational paths.

“We are excited to welcome Erin to our team!” said Jami Allen, NRVTA’s Administration Director. “Her background in hospitality management, combined with her artistic talents, brings a unique and valuable perspective to the Student Concierge role. We are confident that her dedication and enthusiasm will make a positive impact on the student experience at NRVTA.”

Ortiz’s role is integral to ensuring that students feel supported throughout their time at NRVTA, from the moment they inquire about RV training classes to earning their certifications. With the growing demand for RV technician training and repair courses, Ortiz’s focus will be on helping students maximize their educational opportunities and succeed in their careers.

For more information about NRVTA’s RV training programs or to read NRVTA reviews, visit nrvta.com.

The post NRVTA Welcomes Erin Ortiz as New Student Concierge first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

VIDEO: Join Joe and Kait Russo of We’re the Russos as they hit the road in the Storyteller Overland GXV HILT 4×4 expedition vehicle, making their way to Overland Expo East. Along the way, they stop at the legendary Buc-ee’s, camp with friends, and check out some epic overlanding rigs and gear. Watch till the end to see some unforgettable moments from the Expo.

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

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PODCAST: The above podcast is an episode of The RV Atlas, hosted by Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi, who are also authors of “Idiot’s Guide: RV Vacations”, “See You At The Campground: A Guide to Discovering Community, Connection, and a Happier Family in the Great Outdoors” and the “Where Should We Camp Next” series. The RV Atlas Podcast explores RV and family travel, and episodes will discuss everything from the RV industry, the campground industry, tips and tricks, or destination guides. The Puglisis also include gear reviews and interviews with experts from all arenas of the RV industry.

The post RV Atlas, ‘We’re the Russos’ Recap Overland Expo East first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From Brinkley RV: This new line of travel trailers culminates decades of experience, exhaustive research & development, and invaluable feedback from customers + fellow RVers. We sat down with Ryan Thwaits, Brinkley co-owner and lead designer of the Model I line, to discuss the inspiration and innovation behind this incredible new addition to our lineup. See it in-person this weekend at the Toronto Fall RV Show or next month at the Tampa Bay Fall RV Show! We can’t wait to hear what you think! Don’t miss out. Pre-order now and reserve your Model I today. Retail orders are expected to hit dealer lots in March.

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

The post OEM Showcase: Brinkley RV Unveils Model I Travel Trailer first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

RVing in New England,” the weekly Facebook Live show hosted by the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), this week features a panel discussion on RVBusiness’ 2025 RV of the Year Top 10 Finalists.

Co-hosted by Bob Zagami and John DiPietro, tonight’s show airs at 7 p.m. ET.

The post ‘RVing in New England’ Reviews RVB’s RV of the Year List first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Registration is open for the RV Industry Association’s (RVIA) 2024 Annual Meeting. This virtual event is taking place 2-3 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, Dec. 12. All RVIA members are welcome to attend.

The RV Industry Association Annual Meeting is the primary membership-wide meeting for the group that represents over 500 manufacturers and component and aftermarket suppliers who together produce 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States.

The program will include reports from the Association’s Chairman Kevin McArt and Treasurer Ryan Elias as well as updates on the Association’s signature programs from President Craig Kirby, Go RVing Chief Marketing Officer Karen Redfern, and RV Technical Institute Executive Director Curt Hemmeler.

Click here to register for the meeting.

The post Register for RV Industry Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – The 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo will take attendees into the courtroom again during a special “Super Lawyers Session” with RV industry legal experts who will train dealers how to avoid costly consumer lawsuits.

Audience members will once again serve as jurors for the mock trial of a consumer claim against an RV dealership and manufacturer. The first mock trial held during the 2022 Convention received a 9.9 rating out of 10. This year’s mock trial is titled, “The Dealership Strikes Back.”

The Mock Trial will teach RV dealers how to prevent lawsuits against their dealership by partnering with their manufacturers.  Speakers during the session include mediator and RV industry trainer Harold Oehler of Oehler Mediation and Training; Dave Thomas, General Counsel of Keystone; Tobi Conroy, THOR Consumer Affairs Liaison, and Jim Ganther of Mosaic Compliance Services.  

The Super Lawyer’s Session will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13.  The 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo is scheduled for Nov. 11-15, 2024, at Paris Las Vegas. 

Learning objectives for this session: 

• How to partner with their manufacturers to prevent consumer lawsuits 
• How to resolve customer complaints and recover the customer 
• How to work together with your manufacturer so that the manufacturer is more likely to pay the dealer’s legal defense and protect the dealer from judgment 

The Super Lawyers training sessions were conceived by Harold Oehler, a full-time mediator and dealer trainer with more than 30 years of experience litigating and mediating recreational vehicle defect and accident claims involving RV dealers and manufacturers. Oehler offers mediation services and training for dealers and manufacturers across the country either live or on Zoom. He received the RVDA Chairman’s Service Award in 2010 and 2019 for outstanding contribution to the RV industry.

“This panel has proven to be popular with our members, and this year’s group promises to feature new strategies that dealers, manufacturers, and their management teams can use to avoid expensive and time-consuming litigation,” said RVDA President Phil Ingrassia. “It’s always better to start thinking about topics like this in a seminar session before any of it becomes a reality.”

About the RV Dealers Convention/Expo 

The convention allows North America’s top dealership personnel to forge valuable connections with peers, industry leaders, and potential business partners in the Expo. Dealership professionals can expand their network and gain insights from the best in the RV industry.   

The dealer-organized RVDA Convention will provide an in-depth look into the current sales landscape. Attendees will have access to valuable resources to optimize all departments within a dealership, including fixed operations. 

To register for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo click here. Regular updates will be posted on the convention website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.     

The event is sponsored by RVDA of the U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center.  

Companies interested in partnership or sponsorship opportunities can contact Julie Newhouse at (703) 364-5518 or email [email protected].    

The post ‘Super Lawyers’ to Host Mock Trial at RVDA Convention first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Today,Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) released its Accessibility report as a part of the annual Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report series. This report highlights the importance of accessible travel and camping options for all and showcases that creating accessible camping opportunities strengthens business and creates sustainability within the industry.

Incidence of Disabilities Among Campers

• Families camping with children in the household are more likely to include someone who has a physical disability, whereas Gen Z campers have the highest overall incidence of camping with a person who has an accessibility restraint.
• About half of all camping travel groups include someone who is considered neurodivergent, which is well above the rate observed among other types of leisure travelers.
• 45% of campers view camping as a favorable travel option for those who are neurodivergent with few (13%) who feel camping is a worse option.

“At KOA, we strongly believe that camping and the outdoors should be welcoming to all,” said KOA President and CEO, Toby O’Rourke. “We know there is an intrinsic benefit to spending time outdoors, and we want to ensure everyone has opportunities to have those experiences. We hope this report inspires the outdoor hospitality industry to take meaningful steps to increase access to the outdoors to all people and ability levels.”

Campgrounds & Accessibility

• Seven out of 10 individuals who have a disability or travel with someone who has one say that campgrounds and outdoor resorts are welcoming to those with disabilities, with 36% saying they are very welcoming.
• When asked about the greatest barrier to camping, seven in 10 mentioned finding campgrounds that can accommodate their needs, whereas another one in five cite transportation
• Images or pictures of the campground are mentioned most often as solutions to helping those with disabilities choose a campground (57%), while almost half mention having a prominent display of disability designation (48%).
• Technological access and Wi-Fi play vital roles for campers with disabilities – both for personal and work use, with more than half (53%) saying technology impacts their ability to camp more often.

To view the full 2024 Accessibility report, visit http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1527885-2024-koa-c-oh-report-accessibility/0?. Additional supplemental reports will be released in the coming weeks, exploring several topics more in-depth, available at KOAPressroom.com.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

The results of the most recent iteration of the North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report are based on a total of 4,100 surveys completed among a random sample of U.S. (n=2,900) and Canadian (n=1,200) households. Within the U.S. sample of households, results are stratified by Census Region: Northeast (n=725), Midwest (n=725), South (n=725) and West (n=725). Overall, a sample of n=2,900 U.S. households is associated with a margin of error of +/- 1.82 percentage points, while a sample of n=1,200 Canadian households is associated with a margin of error of 2.83 percentage points. All surveys were completed only via an outbound solicitation sent to a randomly selected cross-section of U.S. and Canadian households. In order to calculate overall incidence, the sample of respondents was statistically balanced to ensure that the results are in line with overall population figures for age, gender and ethnicity. Some results may not add to 100 percent due to rounding.

About KOA

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) is a pioneer in outdoor hospitality and an emerging trailblazer in the travel industry with a mission to “connect people to the outdoors and each other.” The company comprises two unique brands: KOA and Terramor Outdoor Resorts. KOA offers an unrivaled brand visibility, providing campground owners and operators unparalleled support in campground education, design, recruitment, marketing and technology. With more than 60 years of expertise, KOA is the world’s largest system of privately owned, open to the public campgrounds, consisting of more than 500 franchised and owned campgrounds. Terramor Outdoor Resorts, a glamping venture, delivers a refined and upscale outdoor experience.

As a steward of outdoor recreation access, KOA uses 1% of pre-tax profits to fund the Kampgrounds of America Foundation, which strives to increase opportunities for all to access and engage with the outdoors, make positive impacts in the communities where we live and work to help preserve outdoor spaces for years to come.

For more information, visit KOA.com and TerramorOutdoorResort.com.

The post KOA: Camping Reported to be ‘Inclusive, Affordable’ Option first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.