RV Business

FAIRFAX, Va. – With data at the tips of their fingers and the technology to find it, consumers are savvier than ever when it comes to knowing the products they are shopping for. Learn to leverage showroom technology to integrate sales and F&I and commit the customer to delivery during the “Harnessing Purchasing Power with Showroom Technology” workshop at the RV Dealers Convention/Expo.

Moderated by Nicole Armstrong, VP corporate initiatives, Priority One Financial Services, the panel will feature Trevor Allred, business development, Kenect; Markle Janner, operations manager, Priority One Financial Services; and Phil Imbery, chief operating officer, MenuMetric; the workshop is set for at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14 and is part of the business innovations education track.

Learning objectives for this session:

• How to integrate sales and F&I processes to capture customers earlier in the buying cycle
• How to identify legal boundaries that protect dealer and customer information
• How to leverage showroom technology to interact with customers in the mobile environment that they primarily use

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 RVDA: Turn Leads into Sales Using Showroom Technology first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EXETER, Pa. – RV products distributor NTP-STAG announces the key highlights for the 2025 Expo to be held Jan. 19-21, 2025 in the Denver, Colo., area (minutes from Denver International Airport). This year’s event will again feature SeaWide Marine suppliers offering a complete assortment of boating and trailering products.

Expo kicks off with PRO speaker Peter McGraw, marketing and psychology profess at Leeds School of Business at University of Colorado Boulder, where he translates the genius and madness of the world’s funniest people into powerful prescriptions for professional success in his speech “Shtick to Business: From Punchline to Bottom Line.” Drawing on cutting-edge research, case studies, and his own comedy successes (and failures), Peter reveals surprising business lessons from the masters of comedy. Attendees can then attend one of more than 30 concurrent supplier led sessions during RV and Marine Dealer University. Here they will learn directly from the suppliers and manufacturers about the features and benefits, new product innovations and how best to include their product lines into current store inventory.

Show floor then opens with hundreds of brands and over one hundred thousand square feet of the top RV, towing and marine suppliers showing new and exciting products, offering valuable deals and providing selling tools and promotions to help drive sales in dealerships and service outlets across the country.

Tuesday morning begins with keynote speaker and NFL veteran, Justin Forsett, sponsored by Carefree of Colorado. Forsett will offer invaluable insights into leadership, resilience, and seizing opportunities with his topic “The Huddle & and the Hustle: Leading Teams through Change, Adversity & Opportunity.” Former NFL Pro Bowl athlete turned entrepreneur, Forsett shares his dual journey of excelling in the high-stakes world of professional football and pioneering his wellness brand, Hustle Clean and how embracing setbacks is an essential step towards greater achievement.

“We are excited for the 2025 Expo line up that we hope will reinvigorate our dealers and suppliers,” said NTP-STAG Distribution President Bill Rogers. “We are thrilled to be back at Gaylord Rockies – a truly spectacular venue. After a couple of challenging years, we are looking forward to the Expo ushering in a more normal 2025.”

Follow NTP-STAG and Seawide on social media or visit www.ntpstag.com

About NTP-STAG

For more than 50 years, NTP-STAG has been serving RV dealers, retailers, and service professionals across the industry. Today, as a division of LKQ Specialty, the company is highly regarded as the leading distribution company for the recreational vehicle market and is uniquely positioned to offer customers and suppliers substantial scale, the most comprehensive inventory selection in the industry, high levels of customer service, and innovative marketing support. NTP-STAG is committed to expanding its offerings to meet the ever-growing needs of its customer base, providing them what they need, when they need it.

The post NTP-STAG 2025 Expo Set to Offer Education & Entertainment first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – The RV Dealers Association (RVDA) announces that finance and insurance provider Higginbotham will be a bronze partner for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo, which will take place Nov. 11-15 at Paris Las Vegas and is sponsored by RVDA of U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. 

“Higginbotham’s partnership is an invaluable addition to our Convention/Exp,” said Convention/Expo Committee Chair Chris Andro of Hemlock Hill RV Sales in Southington, Conn. “In challenging financial times such as the industry has faced over the past couple of years, such a partner can add a valuable piece to any dealer’s offerings.”

“Through natural growth and acquisition, Higginbotham has gained additional expertise to serve the RV industry and provide proven insurance and F&I product offerings,” said Rusty Reid, Higginbotham chairman and CEO. “We look forward to continuing over three decades of providing member insurance solutions and partnering with RVDA to make the their annual Convention/Expo the best it can be.”

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.

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

The post Higginbotham a Bronze Partner for Dealers Convention/Expo first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

In this episode of WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Kampground of America Inc., features a look at OHI’s upcoming OHCE in Oklahoma City. David Basler, chief strategy officer, and Riley Wilson, director of marketing, join the show to highlight key aspects of its OHCE and why it attracts park owners from across North America.

During the show, WCM discusses changes to the way the expo is being scheduled, highlights this year’s keynote speaker and other educational opportunities, takes a look at the Hosted Buyer program and more.

To learn more about OHI’s OHCE, head to: https://ohi.org/event/ohce/.

WCM’s Park Update airs every Tuesday. 

You can watch the show on WCM’s Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn pages. The show is also distributed as a podcast and can be listened to on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

WCM’s Park Update is hosted by Ben Quiggle, editor of Woodall’s Campground Magazine, a sister publication of RVBusiness, and Mike Gast, former vice president of communications at Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA).

To catch up on previous episodes, click here.

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

The post Video: OHI has Big Plans for OHCE Confab in Oklahoma City first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON — It’s a trend that has surprised many: Why, despite being squeezed by high prices, have Americans kept spending at retail stores and restaurants at a robust pace?

One key reason is a relatively simple one: Wealthier consumers, boosted by strong gains in income, home equity and stock market wealth, have increasingly driven the spending, according to an Associated Press report.

That trend, documented by Federal Reserve research, represents something of a shift from the pre-pandemic period. And it suggests that consumer spending, the primary driver of the U.S. economy, could help sustain healthy growth this year and next.

Lower-income consumers, by contrast, have been disproportionately squeezed by higher-priced rent, groceries and other necessities, leaving them less able to spend on discretionary items, like electronics, entertainment and restaurant meals, than they were before the pandemic. Though their spending is starting to rebound as inflation-adjusted incomes rise, it could be years before their finances fully recover.

The disparities help explain the gap between gloomy consumer sentiment and widespread evidence of a healthy U.S. economy — a major dynamic in the presidential race that is now in its final weeks. Only a portion of the American population is fueling most of the growth that is evident in government economic data.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Wealthy are Driving Retail Spending, Powering US Economy first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The PleasureLand RV team unveiled a new trailer to address drug use for the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department on Oct. 14, according to a report by the St. Cloud Times. The trailer is part of a collaboration between the company and law enforcement.

The 22-foot-long, $25,000 trailer was primarily funded as a donation from PleasureLand and will be used by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department in their new program to educate families about teen drug use. The department plans to transport it to different locations around town, including schools and community events.

The metal trailer is currently empty outside of some built-in cabinets, but the department will soon turn it into a reconstruction of a teen’s bedroom, including items commonly used to hide drugs in, such as fake water bottles, makeup items and watches. Parents will be able to walk through the trailer and learn about the methods children may use to hide their drug use.

The collaboration between the RV company and law enforcement originated about two years ago when Pleasureland’s former owner, Dan Pearson, reached out to Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka about working together on an educational tool to prevent drug use and overdoses.

Click here to read the full report by the St. Cloud Times.

The post PleasureLand RV Donates Trailer for Drug Education Program first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. – KZ RV, a leading manufacturer in the recreational vehicle industry, announced that its entire lineup – including the Connect, Connect SE, Connect Mini, Durango, Durango Gold, Venom, Sportsmen, Sportsmen Sportster, and Sportsmen Classic – has been recognized by dealers in the 30th Annual Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) survey.

The DSI survey, conducted annually, gathers valuable insights from RV dealers, allowing manufacturers to gauge dealer attitudes in critical areas such as product quality, communication, and partnership policies. Dealers across the country rely on the DSI survey to provide honest feedback, which helps improve relationships and foster better collaboration between manufacturers and their dealer networks.

“KZ RV has won more DSI awards than any other manufacturer, and we are truly grateful for this honor and the trust our dealers place in us,” KZ RV Vice President of Sales and Marketing Marlene Snyder stated in a release. Expressing deep appreciation for the recognition, she continued “we strive every day to maintain a quality-driven culture and deliver value to both our dealers and owners.”

The awards underscore KZ RV’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, the release continued, with feedback from the DSI survey serving as a vital tool for enhancing the company’s dealer relationships and overall customer satisfaction.

As KZ RV continues to lead the way in innovation, quality, and dealer support, company officials are excited to build on this success and further strengthen its partnerships with dealers across North America.

For more information about KZ RV and its award-winning product lines, visit www.kz-rv.com.

The post KZ RV Recognized Across All Product Lines in ’24 DSI Survey first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – The RV Dealers Association (RVDA) is gearing up for its annual Convention/Expo Nov. 11-5 at Paris Las Vegas and registration is still open, according to a press release.

“Get access to more than 70 expert speakers presenting relevant topics for dealers who want to be able to bring their team to the next level and face the challenges of 2025 with the tools and experience to THRIVE!  In all there are almost 100 sessions for you and your team to up your skills, build your motivation and take home valuable tools. Register today,” the release states.

“There is still time to sign up your top managers for the popular Leadership Course sponsored by Gulf Stream Coach. The half-day course offers participants the opportunity to learn the best ways for “Giving Feedback,” from presenter Sarah Jeckovich. Learn more on the convention website. There is limited space left and participants pay an additional $124 fee to attend this popular course. Sign up now,” the RVDA urged.

“RVDA’s room block includes opportunities to stay at Paris or Horseshoe, both just steps away from the entrance to the Paris Convention Center. Book soon as our block tends to sell out. Also, beware of third-parties who say they can book your rooms. Only use RVDA’s links to secure your rooms. We will never phone you and ask you to book your rooms. Our room block pricing expires October 18. Secure your place today,” the release suggested.

The post RVDA Convention/Expo Offers ‘Dynamic Presenters, Hot Topics’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Bucking national trends in RV show attendance, the Tacoma Fall RV Show presented by BECU that ran October 3-6, 2024 at the Tacoma Dome posted an increase in attendance over the previous year’s show, officials said. 

“We were cautiously optimistic coming into this show,” Show Manager and President of O’Loughlin Trade Shows, Bill O’Loughlin, stated in a release “Even though there were substantial market headwinds, given our promotion, the mix of dealers and products and dealer cooperation in messaging, we felt pretty good going into this show.” 

“After 40 years of producing these shows,” he continued, “you never really know from one show to the next what the market reception is going to be. Fortunately, for our exhibitors, attendance was strong with nearly 6,000 paid attendees. For a fall show in this regional market that’s about as good as it gets for attendance.”

O’Loughlin’s PR Director, Trey Carskadon added, “On the marketing side of the equation our responsibility is to overcome the challenges in attracting qualified attendees to our shows. Thanks to the deep and productive relationships we’ve forged with our RV dealers, it really helps us stay in touch with what’s going on in the market. We use those understandings to tailor our message to the specific moment … relevance is essential.

“We are continually changing our promotional messages,” Carskadon continued. “For this show we knew with higher interest rates, an upcoming election, local pro and college sports playing in town and a soft local market for RVs that our statements had to be big and bold to attract buyers. With that we led with ‘deepest discounts in a decade’ – that message seemed to work well. And, just prior to the show interest rates fell half a percent and our presenting sponsor, BECU, offered a show-only rate which delivered even more savings to buyers.” 

As one dealer observed on Saturday of the show, “After several long months of slow sales it feels like we’ve turned the corner. We’re seeing more buyers this week than we’ve seen in months.”

“We’ve evolved this show adding park models and quite a few destination trailers to the mix”, O’Loughlin said. “And unlike previous years, we saw a very strong selection of Class A, B and C motorhomes along with the regular line-up of travel trailers, fifth wheels, campers and toy haulers. Taken together, this product mix gave attendees a lot to look at and consider.”

O’Loughlin finished, “Our next show is January 23-26 at the Tacoma Dome. As with all the other shows we produced we’ll be working closely with our exhibitors to change our messaging and product mix to best fit the market in 2025.”

For complete Tacoma RV Show information visit www.TacomaRVShow.com.

The post Tacoma Fall RV Show Reports Bigger Crowds, Optimistic Signs first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WICHITA, Kan. – Airxcel, Inc. announced the launch of two new brands – Solace and Forma – at its 11th Annual OEM New Product Showcase, held Oct. 16-17 in Elkhart, Ind. 

Solace will initially offer a line of modular seating, furniture, and cushion dinettes for the RV market. Solace operates out of Wichita, Kan., with Kyle Ramsey leading the new company as Solace’s OEM Furniture Sales Manager.

Rob Leach, President of Coleman-Mach & Maxxair, said, “We are excited to unveil our new venture, Solace, spearheaded by seasoned industry expert Kyle Ramsey. This exciting new division will leverage our extensive expertise and innovative strategies that have propelled Maxxair and Coleman-Mach to success, marking a thrilling new chapter for our company.”

Forma will be Airxcel’s chassis component division introducing a comprehensive range of products, including electric and manual tongue jacks, a state-of-the-art hydraulic leveling system, stabilizer jacks, and various other essential chassis components. Operations will be strategically managed from Elkhart, Ind., under InVision, reinforcing Airxcel’s commitment to pushing innovation and strengthening partnerships in the RV industry.

Commenting on the launch of the two new brands, Anthony Wollschlager, president and CEO of Airxcel, stated, “This expansion underscores our company’s dedication to innovation and delivering superior products that enhance the RV experience. It reflects our team’s ambition to align our growth with customer demands and I’m excited to see how Solace and Forma will assist our family of brands in better serving our OEM partners.”

About Forma

Forma launched in 2024 as part of Airxcel’s family of brands, and operates out of Elkhart, IN. Forma specializes in a wide range of products related to RV chassis components, including innovative systems for lifting and leveling, as well as various essential stabilizing equipment. Learn more at www.FormaRVProducts.com.

About Solace

Solace, a proud member of the Airxcel family of brands since 2024 based in Wichita, KS, specializes in high-quality, innovative RV furniture designed to enhance the comfort and functionality of recreational vehicles. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for the RV lifestyle, Solace offers a range of products that combine durability, style, and practicality. Experience the excellence of Solace, where comfort meets the open road. Learn more at www.SolaceRVInteriors.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, Kan., the Airxcel family of brands includes 18 companies with 15 facilities across the U.S. and Europe. Airxcel.com

The post Slideshow: Airxcel Launches 2 New Lines at Product Showcase first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.