RV Business RVing in New England,” the weekly Facebook Live show hosted by the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), this week talks offers an ‘All-Star Lineup’ of guests from Halo’s Wish, RVing Today, RV Life and Normandy Farms.
Co-hosted by Bob Zagami and John DiPietro, tonight’s show airs at 7 p.m. ET.
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BILLINGS, Mont. – As the warmth of summer transitions to the coziness of fall, Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) has announced a fall promotion offering double KOA Rewards points for campers throughout the month of September.
KOA invites campers to pitch a tent or snuggle into a cozy cabin and savor the beauty of the season. From Sept. 1-30, campers booking a stay with a KOA Rewards account will earn double the points, in addition to the standard 10% discount, making their outdoor adventures even more rewarding.
“Our research indicates that many of our campers are planning shoulder season travel this year, with six in ten planning a trip after Labor Day,” shares Diane Eichler, sr. vice president of marketing at KOA. “Spending time together brings joy to our campers, and we’re excited to provide additional value to our most loyal campers by doubling their KOA Rewards points. This fall, we encourage everyone to enjoy the crisp autumn air, connect with loved ones, and make lasting memories.”
The “Fall” Into Double Points campaign kicks off on Aug. 12. Campers can book their September stay directly with their preferred KOA campground, on KOA.com, or via the KOA mobile app. This fall promotion applies to all site types, including cabins, glamping options, and unique accommodations. For extra value, campers can book during KOA Rewards Weekend, Sept. 6-7 and enjoy one night of free camping. To take advantage of these promotions, campers must have an active KOA Rewards account and reference their account at check-in.
With more than 500 campgrounds throughout North America, there’s always a KOA in an iconic destination nearby. This promotion is a perfect opportunity to extend summer fun into the fall season, encouraging campers to enjoy the outdoors and its benefits even as the seasons change.
For more information and to book your fall getaway, visit www.koa.com.
KOA Rewards is an annual membership program available for $36. KOA rewards holders can accumulate rewards points that can be redeemed for cash off future stays at KOA campgrounds. In addition to earning double points in September, KOA Rewards holders will enjoy a free night of camping during KOA Rewards Weekend, which takes place on Sept. 6. Benefits also include exclusive offers and discounts with select KOA partners.
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PHOENIX – MBA Insurance is proud to announce the inaugural MBA Rental Sessions to be held during the 2024 RV Dealers Convention & Expo at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 11-14, 2024.
“The MBA Rental Sessions will explore an array of important topics presented by leading industry professionals,” says Carlos Avila, president of MBA Insurance. “Whether you are just starting or looking to grow your existing RV rental business, our MBA Rental Sessions will provide valuable insights and innovative strategies to help your business stand out.”
“The RV rental market continues to thrive, generating substantial revenue for RV rental companies and dealers,” said RVDA president, Phil Ingrassia. “The MBA Rental Sessions at the upcoming RV Dealers Convention & Expo provide a unique opportunity for both established and aspiring rental operators to learn best practices and capitalize on this growing segment of the RV industry.”
The RV Dealers Convention & Expo is the premier dealer education and networking event of the year, and MBA Insurance has been a long-time sponsor for over 20 years.
“We’re thrilled to have our inaugural MBA Rental Sessions be a part of the RV Dealers Convention & Expo this year.” Avila continues. “The RVDA Expo delivers a wealth of value to the industry by promoting quality education and building lasting relationships, and this is why MBA continues to support the event year after year.”
Registration information for the MBA Rental Sessions can be found at the MBA Rental Sessions. The cost to attend is $799 per person, which includes admission to the RV Dealers Convention & Expo.
MBA Insurance is a premier provider of vehicle rental insurance, leading the industry with our dedicated focus on delivering top-tier rental insurance solutions and services tailored to meet the needs of individual rental businesses to large rental fleets.
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FAIRFAX, Va. – Every dealer registered to attend the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo by Sept. 5 will be entered in a drawing to win a free two-night stay at Paris Las Vegas during the event, according to a release from the RV Dealers Association (RVDA).
The 2024 RVDA Convention/Expo is set for Nov. 11-15 and is presented by RVDA of U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center.
Register for the convention here.
The annual RVDA Convention/Expo brings together dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, and RV industry business partners for the premier dealer education and networking event of the year.
The workshop education program provides an in-depth look into the current sales landscape and offers valuable strategies to optimize performance in all departments within the dealership, including fixed operations.
Exhibitor-led Vendor Training +Plus sessions are an important part of the event as well as dealer-manufacturer Partners of Progress meetings.
Regular updates are posted on the convention website at www.rvda.org/convention, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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ELKHART, Ind. – Brianza USA hired Chris Panelli as Territory Manager in July. Panelli brings seven years of RV sales experience to the role, according to a release from the company that distributes Elycold and Elyplan fiberglass laminates for the RV and adjacent industries.
“Chris and I have an extensive and successful history of working together previously in the RV industry. First at NeXus RV and then later at Winegard company,” said James Witty, president of Brianza USA. “Chris is a connected and motivated veteran in the RV world. I truly believe he’s one of if not the best at what he does and I feel blessed to have him onboard. Chris is perfect for a company in growth mode like ours.”
Panelli started his RV sales career at NeXus where he contributed to selling a full line up of motorized RV’s. At Winegard, he created unprecedented market growth along with the ability to maintain first-class customer service.
As Brianza USA Territory Sales Manager, Panelli will present growth opportunities for the company by establishing a strategic focus on all aspects of the company’s financial milestones, Brianza said.
Panelli is ready for the opportunity and says Brianza specializes in high quality fiberglass.
“My mission is to devise and maintain a structured, professional sales plan built for aggressive growth and customer retention while continuing to promote a very healthy customer satisfaction rating,” Panelli said. “We will increase our share of the market as well as grow through adding quality content per RV as we evolve as a company for the RV industry
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PENDER, Neb. – Blue Ox Products, a leading manufacturer of high-quality recreational towing products, announces a strategic partnership with Considine Sales & Marketing (CSM). This collaboration aims to provide unparalleled sales support to our automotive partner dealers, specifically focusing on Blue Ox’s expanding line of aftermarket automotive parts, according to a release.
“As we broaden our product offerings within the automotive aftermarket industry, we are thrilled to partner with Considine Sales & Marketing,” said Chad Cole, director of Automotive Sales at Blue Ox. “Both Blue Ox and CSM share a deep commitment to exceptional customer service. With CSM’s extensive industry experience and our reputation for product excellence, we anticipate significant growth for both companies. This partnership will introduce Blue Ox support to new customers and help promote our innovative new product lines.”
Jim Considine, president of Considine Sales & Marketing, expressed similar enthusiasm: “Blue Ox has rapidly established itself as the premier brand in its automotive aftermarket segment. We share their excitement and are eager to contribute to their efforts in bringing new products to our marketplace and partners in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Oklahoma.”
Mike Hesse, CEO of Blue Ox, added, “We’ve meticulously developed our Automotive Aftermarket parts to uphold the Blue Ox legacy of reliability and quality. We have complete confidence in the Considine team to expand our reach in the automotive aftermarket sector. Their decades of experience and extensive network of leading aftermarket retailers and distributors make them the ideal partner for our growth ambitions.”
This partnership marks a significant step forward for Blue Ox as the company continues to innovate and expand in the automotive aftermarket industry.
About Blue Ox
Blue Ox is known for its towing products and best-in-class customer service. As a manufacturer since 1925, Blue Ox products are crafted on a long tradition of quality in Pender, Neb. With a product and accessory line as diverse as our customer base, Blue Ox has everything to meet your towing needs. Find out why so many people use Blue Ox to get on the road by visiting us at blueox.com or following us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
About Considine Sales & Marketing
Founded in 1971 by Jim Considine JR, Considine Sales and Marketing, Inc. (CSM) is an independent manufacturer’s representative agency with over 300 years of combined experience in the specialty automotive aftermarket industry. Ten sales and marketing professionals service 15 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Oklahoma.”
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ORLANDO, Fla. – While the RV Aftermarket Conference, taking place this week at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, focuses on aftermarket products, the theme of yesterday’s events included a reexamination of the sales funnel by keynote speaker Andrew Davis.
Hosted by the RV Industry Association (RVIA), the conference features suppliers and distributors meeting in one-on-one “appointment sessions” to pitch new products while taking advantage of key networking opportunities. In addition, attendees also will hear from thought-leaders on the state of the RV industry – including Davis.
In addressing the sales funnel, a concept developed in 1898 by St. Elmo Lewis, Davis pointed out that the consumer journey has changed quite a bit in the 126 years since. He also advocated for something he calls The Loyalty Loop, saying, “The sales process has changed, so change the way you think about how you sell.”
The key, he said, is to bring consumers into The Loyalty Loop, which is a series of “micro-encounters” that make you feel something, either bad or good. Of course, you want those encounters to be positive and personal, he added. You want potential customers to feel that they’re special and not just another cog in the sales machine.
Davis used Domino’s Pizza Tracker as an example of effectively bringing people into the loop by creating enthusiasm about the next step in the process. “What is your Pizza Tracker?” he asked. Moreover, it’s important to re-inspire what brought them to you in the first place, answer the question that triggered them to look into the product, remove any friction in the process (such as lengthy forms to fill out), and personalize the experience by introducing them to your team, for instance.
Ultimately, as Davis put it, “We don’t sell a product; we sell an experience and those micro-encounters along the way define their experience.”
Davis’ concepts were echoed in many of the subsequent product meetings held with industry manufacturers and distributors. Lippert’s Matt Clauss says that the consumer’s experience is enhanced by the effective display and explanation of products at retail.
“Consumers are walking in to investigate with something in their mind. What else can you sell them? Dealers need to be ready to have a wider conversation around more products and lean on the manufacturer experts who know how to talk about them with enthusiasm and excitement,” Clauss says. “The more their staff knows and understands what they have, the better they are able to talk at retail about those items.”
The conference continues through Thursday, with the 2024 Aftermarket Awards being announced on Wednesday. Check Thursday’s RVBusiness Daily News Feed for the winners and stay tuned for new product announcements from many of the conference participants over the coming weeks and months.
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FAIRFAX, Va. – Staked by a $500,000 donation, the RV Dealership Employee Emergency Relief Program is a new joint initiative between the Ron & Lisa Fenech Family Foundation and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. The initiative is designed to provide financial assistance to RV dealership employees experiencing hardship due to natural disasters and other catastrophic events that lead to major expense or loss of income.
Current employees of RV dealerships can apply for one-time grants of up to $2,500. Hardships that may qualify for assistance include immediate family health issues and catastrophic incidents such as damage due to natural disasters, home fires, or flooding. The program is expressly for all RV dealership employees. RV dealership owners/principals are not eligible.
“Our own family has seen first-hand how emergency financial assistance can make a big difference to families and individuals experiencing a health crisis or other catastrophic event,” said Ron Fenech, president and co-founder of Brinkley RV. “The RV business has been very good to me and my family. This program is a way for us to give something back to the industry.”
“Helping dealership employees is a core value of the RV Learning Center,” said RV Learning Center Chairman of the Board Jeff Pastore. “We thank Ron, and the Fenech family, for supporting dealership employees through this special emergency relief program that will provide some financial relief during difficult times.”
Application forms are available online through the RV Learning Center website at this link. Approved funds will be disbursed directly to the employee or a designated service provider on the employee’s behalf.
The RV Learning Center, a 501c3 charitable organization, is supported by dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and other RV industry members committed to dealership education and the high level of customer service provided by educated employees. For more information, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com.
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Inc. revealed today that Blue Compass RV is once again one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, according to a release from the nation’s second-largest dealer group. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Blue Compass RV has continued to rapidly grow as a powerful brand within the recreational vehicle industry with revenue growth of 94% in the last three years.
“We are honored to be recognized by Inc 5000 for the second year in a row for our tremendous growth, ranking as the No. 1 RV retail company on the list. Since we launched the company six years ago, we’ve grown to over 100 stores in 33 states to serve RV customers from coast to coast,” said Blue Compass RV Founder, CEO and President Jon Ferrando. “We celebrate this honor with our incredible associates, customers, manufacturer partners and vendors who have all contributed to our amazing growth and success.”
The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate is 1,637 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years.
“One of the greatest joys of my job is going through the Inc. 5000 list,” says Mike Hofman, who recently joined Inc. as editor-in-chief. “To see all of the intriguing and surprising ways that companies are transforming sectors, from health care and AI to apparel and pet food, is fascinating for me as a journalist and storyteller. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, as well, for growing their businesses fast despite the economic disruption we all faced over the past three years, from supply chain woes to inflation to changes in the workforce.”
For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000. All 5000 companies are featured on Inc.com starting Aug. 13, and the top 500 appear in the new issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, Aug. 20.
About Blue Compass RV:
Blue Compass RV is the fastest growing RV retail company in the United States with a mission to provide an exceptional sales, service, and RV ownership experience for its customers. Blue Compass RV has over 100 RV stores in 33 states. Blue Compass RV is led by Jon Ferrando, founder, chief executive officer and President. Jon Ferrando was instrumental in building America’s largest automotive retailer from start-up to over $20 billion in revenue. Blue Compass RV’s leadership team has over 300 years of automotive and RV retail industry experience.
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SALISBURY, N.C. – After breaking ground on a 71,000-square-foot Supercenter last year in Salisbury, General RV Center is now interviewing local candidates for up to 150 jobs with an average salary of $65,000.
With an expected opening this October, positions needing to be filled include sales associates, technicians, service advisors, parts representative positions and more. As the nation’s largest family-owned RV dealership, General RV will host a two-day hiring event for its first location in North Carolina.
The hiring event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 14) and Thursday (Aug. 15) at the Hampton Inn at 1001 KIlumac Road in Salisbury.
To learn more about available jobs and to register, visit generalrv.com/hiringnc. Sign-up is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome to attend.
The post General RV to Hire Up to 150 at New Supercenter in N.C. first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.