Month: January 2025

ELKHART, Ind. – The RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) announced the establishment of the RV Women’s Alliance Charitable Foundation (RVWACF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the Alliance’s mission to elevate, education, promote women in the RV industry.

This exciting initiative will expand the RVWA’s capacity to provide resources and opportunities for women in the RV industry. With a focus on education, career advancement, and leadership development, the RVWACF will offer a range of programs, including:

• Educational Programs: Workshops, training sessions, and online resources to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Scholarships: Financial assistance for women pursuing careers in the RV industry.
• Mentorship Programs: Connecting experienced professionals with women seeking guidance and support.
• Leadership Development: Cultivating the next generation of female leaders in the RV space.

The Foundation will be governed by a Board of Director chaired by Tracy Anglemeyer of Thetford, who also serves as Chair-Elect of the RVWA Board. Additional Foundation Board Members include Winnebago’s Chad Reece who serves as Treasurer, RV Industry Association’s Monika Geraci who serves as Secretary, Nexus RVs’ Alexis Donati, and Campers Inn’s Megan Neighbors.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to the RVWACF are tax-deductible, providing supporters with a meaningful way to invest in the future of women in the RV industry. Contributions will directly fund programs and initiatives that empower women to thrive, fostering a more diverse and inclusive RV community.

“The RV Women’s Alliance Charitable Foundation marks a pivotal moment in our journey to empower women in the RV industry,” says RVWA President Susan Carpenter. “We invite businesses, partners, and individuals who share our passion for diversity and inclusion to join us in supporting this important initiative.”

By supporting the RVWACF, donors not only receive tax benefits but also gain recognition for aligning with an organization committed to positive social impact. The RVWA is dedicated to creating a more equitable and inclusive RV industry, and the RVWACF serves as a testament to this commitment.

In addition to individual donations, the RVWACF will actively pursue grant opportunities to further expand its reach and impact. This will enable the foundation to develop even more comprehensive programs and provide greater support to women across all sectors of the RV industry.

To learn more about the RV Women’s Alliance Charitable Foundation, make a donation, or explore ways to get involved, please visit www.rvwa.org or contact Savannah Henry.

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 3,100 members from more than 500 companies. The Alliance is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, with leadership based across the United States. Learn more at www.rvwa.org.            

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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday revived a requirement that owners of millions of small businesses register with an arm of the Treasury Department charged with fighting money laundering and other financial crimes, according to an Associated Press report.

The justices granted an emergency plea made by the Justice Department in the waning days of the Biden administration to allow enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act, enacted in 2021 to crack down on the illicit use of anonymous shell companies.

Owners and part-owners of an estimated 32.6 million small businesses must register personal information with Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN. The information includes photo IDs and home addresses.

It’s unclear whether the Trump administration will devote much effort to enforcing the registration requirement, which has been opposed by Republican-led states and lawmakers, as well as conservative and business interest groups.

The registration requirement was blocked by a federal judge in Texas, who ruled that Congress lacked the authority to pass the corporate transparency law in the first place. It was kept on hold by a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals pending its review of the judge’s ruling.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Blue Compass RV, a leading retailer of recreational vehicles with over 100 locations from coast to coast, today announced several key leadership promotions that will be effective on Feb. 1.  The promotions reflect Blue Compass RV’s commitment to developing talent from within, and will support continued growth and expansion, according to a release.

Joe Lazzarino has been promoted to President of the South Central Region. Lazzarino has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership during his seven years with Blue Compass RV, achieving significant success across our Texas locations. In his new role, he will oversee 18 stores across Texas and Oklahoma.

TJ Paulin will expand his leadership as Southeast Region President. With the addition of Blue Compass RV’s eight Florida dealerships, Paulin will lead the company’s operations in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, and Eastern Tennessee.

Dominic Caputo has been promoted to Director of Inventory Management. He will lead the Blue Compass RV inventory management team, and oversee the procurement of all new RV inventory.  Caputo will work closely with OEM partners and the Blue Compass leadership team to ensure optimal new inventory levels across all 100+ Blue Compass dealerships from coast to coast. Caputo will report to Raul Rodriguez, SVP-Corporate Development, who is responsible for Blue Compass RV growth initiatives.

“I’m excited for Joe, TJ, Raul and Dominic to take on larger leadership roles at Blue Compass RV.  These promotions reflect the deep bench strength of our organization and position us for continued growth and success,” stated Jon Ferrando, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Blue Compass RV.

Anthony Sahli, South Region President, has resigned and will be leaving the company on Jan. 31.

“I want to thank Anthony Sahli for his contributions to the company, including his leadership of our Florida market and most recently our South Region that included Florida, Texas and Oklahoma,” said Ferrando.

About Blue Compass RV

Blue Compass RV is the fastest growing RV retail company in the United States over the past five years, with over 100 locations in 33 states. Our stores across America offer an incredible selection of new and used RVs, including the best lineup of premium new brands. Our mission is to provide an exceptional sales, service, and RV ownership experience for our customers.

Blue Compass RV has been named the #1 Airstream dealer in the world for five consecutive years, with a record setting 11 Airstream stores achieving the prestigious “Five Rivet” status. Blue Compass RV’s flagship Motor Home Specialist store has been the leading motorhome dealer in the U.S. for 11 consecutive years.

Blue Compass has experienced exponential growth since its founding in 2018, for which it was named to the 2024 Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list, as well as South Florida Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Private Companies list for four consecutive years.

The post Blue Compass RV Promotes Key Leaders to Drive Growth first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

STUTGART, Germany – In 2024, a total of 96,392 caravans and motor caravans were newly registered in Germany, as reported by the Caravaning Industrie Verband (CIVD) in a press release following its annual press conference.

“This means that the industry is still well above the level of the pre-Corona years. Due to a temporary oversupply at the dealerhips, fewer leisure vehicles were produced and shipped. With an industry revenue of around 15.1 billion euros, the German caravanning industry fell short of the previous year’s record but still achieved the second-best revenue result in its history,” the release stated.

Following the remarkable record results of the first few years of the pandemic, the current new registration figures remain at a high level despite the difficult general conditions. In 2024, a total of 96,392 leisure vehicles were newly registered in Germany – an increase of 6.7 per cent compared to the previous year and the third-best result in the industry’s history. With 74,718 new registrations in the last twelve months, the motor caravan segment significantly exceeded the previous year’s result by 9.1 per cent. New caravan registrations totalled 21,674 units (-1.0 percent), just below the previous year’s result and remain stable.

Record demand for pre-owned vehicles

In addition to the new registration figures, the registration of pre-owned caravans and motor caravans also illustrates the continuing high level of interest in caravanning among German holidaymakers: last year, a total of 187,219 new registrations of pre- owned vehicles were registered – a record figure that corresponds to an increase of 5.5 per cent compared to the previous year. Both vehicle segments contributed to this growth: 106,631 used motor caravans (+8.6 per cent) and 80,588 caravans (+1.6 per cent) changed hands in 2024.

Production numbers below previous year’s level

Last year, a total of 118,641 leisure vehicles (-16.4 per cent) left the production lines of German manufacturers. Of these, 46,490 vehicles (-15.8 per cent) were exported abroad. Motor caravan production registered 84,742 units, which corresponds to a decrease of 12.7 per cent compared to the previous year. Of these, 31,041 motor caravans (-9.1 per cent) were delivered abroad. At 33,899 units, caravan production recorded a decline of around 24 per cent, with 15,449 caravans (-26.7 per cent) being exported.

Manufacturers of motor caravans and caravans have faced major challenges in recent years: The consequences of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine caused massive production disruptions, particularly due to faltering supply chains in the motor caravan sector. The limited capacities meant that fewer vehicles were produced and delivered than originally planned. Over the last 24 months, production conditions have stabilised noticeably, primarily due to the improved availability of motor caravan chassis. This initially led to a significant increase in production figures and a rapid build-up of stock at dealers. As a result, the market shifted from a phase of supply shortages to a temporary oversupply of vehicles over the course of 2024.

As a result of this development, some vehicle manufacturers temporarily adjusted their production by, among other things, reducing production figures or temporarily suspending production. These measures are already showing visible results. Both the persistently high number of new registrations and the large number of new registrations of pre-owned vehicles underline the positive development: the number of vehicles on the market is gradually decreasing and is expected to have normalised in the first half of 2025.

[Further details on the situation in production and trade as well as assessments by industry experts from industry, trade and leading financing companies can be found in the press release of 17 December: Link to the press release].

Industry revenue again exceeds the 15 billion euro mark

The German caravanning industry recorded an annual revenue of around 15.1 billion euros in 2024. Although this represents a decline of around 6 per cent compared to the previous year’s record figure, which is due to reduced production, it is only the second time that the industry has exceeded the 15 billion euro mark.

Caravanning industry starts the new year with optimism

Looking ahead to the caravanning year 2025, the German caravanning industry continues to face challenges, but is also looking to the future with confidence, as CIVD Managing Director Daniel Onggowinarso explains: ‘The situation in the industry and trade has been tense over the past twelve months. However, the results for new registrations and registrations of pre-owned vehicles show that the industry is on the right track despite all the adversity. As in many other sectors of the economy, the forthcoming general election in Germany raises a number of questions – including with regard to general economic development and consumer sentiment. Despite these uncertainties, one important constant remains for our industry: Germans’ enthusiasm for caravanning remains unbroken. Caravans and motor caravans will continue to attract numerous buyers and interested parties to dealers’ showrooms in the coming year, not least thanks to the particularly varied and attractive range of products currently on sale. In addition, the caravanning trade fairs in 2025 are once again likely to inspire many experienced campers and newcomers. All signs point to a successful caravanning year in 2025.’

For further information about caravanning, please visit our web site: www.civd.de

The post German Caravanning Market Surpasses Previous Year’s Result first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The popularity of caravanning in Europe shows no signs of slowing down after the latest figures released from the European Caravan Federation (ECF) showed that 2024 was another growth year for new leisure vehicle registrations, according to a report by AboutCampBtoB, a trade media firm that covers the RV industry in Europe.

A total of more than 221,000 new motorhomes and caravans were registered across Europe in 2024, which is growth of around 5.2% compared to 2023.

Germany currently leads the way with 96,392 new registrations in 2024, representing a 6.7% growth. Second was France with 33,783 new registrations (growth of 7.6%), while the UK experienced 28,011 new registrations (10.4% growth).

Click here to read the full report by AboutCampBtoB.

The post European RV Market Shows Resilience with Strong Growth first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

QUARTZSITE, Ariz. – The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show is a unique experience held every January under an enormous tent in the tiny desert town of Quartzsite, Ariz. While the town’s normal population is only a few thousand people, that number swells to what some estimate as over a half million as RVers descend on the area for the typically warmer temperatures, free camping on Bureau of Land Management land and plentiful RV services.

The show goes nine days – from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (3 p.m. closing day), Jan. 18-26, at 700 S. Central Blvd., Quartzsite, Ariz. Among the appeals are the latest gadgets, but some come to get service work and upgrades done on their RVs as well as to learn more about the RV lifestyle at the workshops and seminars. Attendance at the event is free for spectators, as is parking. Located just off Interstate 10, 125 miles west of Phoenix and just 20 miles from the California border, this sleepy little town plays host to an RV extravaganza that started in 1982.

This is absolutely a show where things are sold to willing customers ranging from sponges to batteries to RV-related services – even RVs themselves.

So, how’s the 2025 show been so far? Well, that depends on who you ask.

“I hope everyone’s successful,” said Kimmy King, organizer of the show.

She described the vendors as a mix of return vendors and new with some of the new vendors arriving from China, Australia and Canada.

King added that the massive tent that houses the show itself grew another 40 feet in length from last year – it’s up to 650 feet long now – and that was 20 feet longer than the year before. With more vendors there are a lot of return sellers, but also a good number of new vendors as well.

Some of the return vendors have been thrilled with the results thus far, while others have not. But, while there’s never been an official attendance count, it does seem that foot traffic is down from previous years.

That could be due to fewer RVers in the desert. The number of white roofs reflecting the Arizona sunshine was definitely smaller than this reporter has seen in a while, which could be due to a number of reasons. Individual budgets and fuel costs are certainly factors, but there’s no denying that there seems to be fewer Canadians this year.

As mentioned, several exhibitors, such as Sadie Maughan from RVLock, described sales as being up. “But we also brought some new product to the show,” she said. Still, by the fourth day of the show the company was already running out of the product on hand.

One of the new vendors this year is Matt Foxcroft from Liquified RV tank treatment, who described the show as “phenomenal. This is absolutely great.”

It was also a challenge to speak with Foxcroft as there was a non-stop string of customers who wanted to speak with him. Foxcroft is a well-known personality on YouTube with his Matt’s RV Reviews channel with well over 100,000 subscribers.

To be fair, both Liquified and RV Lock had fairly attractive booths with eye-catching backdrops and plenty of product.

Some of the vendors were less inclined to be quoted directly, but it’s worth noting their booths might be considered less attractive.

The educational seminars were back again for 2025 with many of those being very well attended. While some of the seminars started right as the event opened for the day, that apparently didn’t dissuade people from almost running in from the entrance so they didn’t miss any of the discussion.

Once again, the popular topics were anything to do with solar and lithium systems. But, there was more diversity, too, as topics such as RV buying, the future of RVing and RV travel apps were also very well attended. The latter three and several others were given by this RVBusiness reporter, who is also the main organizer of the seminar tent.

The post Mostly Positive Quartzsite RV Show Wrapping Up for 2025 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From Pleasure-Way: Join Dean Rumpel, CEO of Pleasure-Way Industries, as he takes you on an exclusive tour of the 2025 Plateau XLTS and the all-new Plateau XLRB Raised Bed models. These widebody coaches, built on the Mercedes-Benz chassis, are designed to deliver unmatched luxury, performance and versatility.

The post OEM Showcase: 2025 Pleasure-Way Plateau XLTS, XLRB first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ATHENS, Texas — The National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) announced the promotion of Shenika Lyons to Director of Membership for the National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA) and the RV Technician Association of America (RVTAA). Lyons’ journey with NRVTA is a testament to her unwavering dedication, personal growth, and commitment to the RV industry, according to a release.

Lyons joined NRVTA in February 2022 as a student concierge, where she quickly distinguished herself through her adaptability and enthusiasm. Transitioning from a background in the food service industry, she embraced the challenge of learning and excelling in a new field. Her willingness to step out of her comfort zone has been a driving force behind her success.

In her subsequent role as a Sales and Support Coordinator for the RV Tech Course Home-Study Program, Lyons played a vital part in the daily operations of NRVTA, providing crucial administrative support. Her dedication to education and the success of her peers is further demonstrated by her academic achievements; she recently earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing an MBA in Accounting.

Lyons’ commitment extends beyond her professional life. She is an active participant in her children’s activities, regularly attending their sporting events within the Malakoff school district. Her deep sense of community is mirrored in her work at NRVTA, where she strives to create a welcoming environment that fosters excitement and learning for all students.

In her new role as Director of Membership for NRVIA and RVTAA, Lyons will be instrumental in supporting graduates beyond their time at NRVTA. She will work closely with members to ensure they continue to feel the same sense of community and support that she has championed during her tenure at the academy.

Reflecting on her promotion, Lyons expressed her gratitude: “During my years working here, I have built a work family, and we work together to make sure that each student feels the same enjoyment for this school and this industry that the staff feels. To be given the opportunity to support graduates beyond the walls of NRVTA is an exciting opportunity, and I am grateful.”

Lyons’ promotion is a significant step for NRVTA, NRVIA and RVTAA as they continue to grow and expand their impact on the RV industry. Her leadership and passion for the industry will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of these organizations.

For more information about NRVTA, NRVIA, or RVTAA, please visit www.rvtaa.org or www.nrvia.org

The post Lyons Named Director of Membership for NRVIA, RVTAA first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) participated in the 2025 NTP-STAG Expo, which occurred earlier this week in Aurora, Colo., by networking with potential Location Subscribers and Authorized Learning Partners, according to a News & Insights report by the RV Industry Association (RVIA).

This industry-only annual distributor show provided exclusive access to manufacturer product showcases, educational seminars, industry networking opportunities, and more. 

To further promote partnerships with educational institutions, the RV Technical Institute invited Littleton Public Schools to the Expo. This initiative aims to raise awareness of the Institute’s training program and encourage more high schools to integrate it into their curriculum, providing students with valuable RV technician skills.

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with EPIC Campus to offer a semester-long Level 1 course,” said Justin Rickett, RVTI’s Senior Manager of Recruitment. “This initiative allows us to integrate our curriculum into educational institutions, inspiring the next generation of RV technicians. We’re grateful to NTP-STAG for showcasing this mission at their Expo.” 

The RV Technical Institute-Littleton Public Schools’ partnership first launched last year when the Institute’s Level 1 curriculum was incorporated into Littleton’s EPIC Campus, which allows students to experience hands-on learning using state-of-the-art technology and innovative processes. EPIC’s inaugural Level 1 training session was attended by eight Littleton junior and senior high school students. 

The RV Technical Institute, which has been eager to expand its involvement with EPIC Campus, announced that the EPIC Campus will be hosting a semester-long Level 1 course for Littleton high school students this fall. 

For more information on educational partners, or to offer possible leads on local partnerships, contact Justin Rickett at [email protected]. 

The post RVTI Creates More Partnerships During NTP-Stag Expo first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

George Ewing, founder of Ewing Motor Home and Trailer Sales in Battle Creek, Mich., passed away Jan. 9, 2025, in Boca Raton, Fla., according to a release.

Ewing was born on March 10, 1933, in Muncie, Ind. He started camping with his family in a new 1962 Franklin Travel Trailer and started his business in 1967 in Battle Creek, Mich., selling Bee Line and Blazon Travel Trailers.

As his business grew, his product lines did as well selling Starcraft, Shasta, Streamline, Airstream, Holiday Rambler and Kropf Park Models.

Ewing’s children – Wende Askins, Doug Ewing, Tom Ewing and Amy DeVries – all played a part in his business growing up.

Ewing and his wife, Marilyn, operated the dealership successfully until their retirement and the sale of the dealership to his son, Doug Ewing, who ran it successfully until his death Oct. 31, 2000.

Ewing was preceded in death by his son, Doug Ewing, and his wife, Marilynn Ewing, who passed on Aug. 26, 2022.

He is survived by: Wende L. Askins (Robert) of Warsaw, Ken.; Thomas J. Ewing (Stephanie) of Syracuse, Ind.; and Amy D. DeVries (Robert) of Boca Raton, Fla. He also has two stepchildren, Michael J. Beatty and Salli J. Beatty, of Battle Creek, Mich.; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ewing will be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Mich., alongside his beloved wife Marilyn.

The post Founder of Ewing Motor Home & Trailer Sales Has Passed first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.