RV Business

Sun Communities, Inc.,  a real estate investment trust that owns and operates, or has an interest in, manufactured housing (MH)and recreational vehicle (RV)communities and marinas, reported its third-quarter results for 2024 on Wednesday (Nov. 6), according to a press release.

For the quarter ended Sept. 30, net income attributable to common shareholders was $288.7 million, or $2.31 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to common shareholders of $120.1 million, or $0.97 per diluted share for the same period in 2023.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, net income attributable to common shareholders was $313.4 million, or $2.51 per diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $132.4 million, or $1.07 per diluted share for the same period in 2023.

In addition, Sun Communities announced the planned retirement of its CEO, Gary Shiffman, following over 40 years of service to the company, according to a press release.

Shiffman has informed the Board of his intention to retire in 2025. The Board of Directors has a committee in place, led by independent Board members Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies, and Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation, to conduct a comprehensive search process to identify a new CEO.

Shiffman intends to remain on the Board of Directors.

“As part of our comprehensive succession plan, Gary’s retirement will result in a refreshed perspective to take the Company forward and build upon his transformative vision,” said Clunet Lewis, Sun Communities’ Lead Independent Director. “Under Gary’s leadership, the Company went public in 1993 with an initial market capitalization of approximately $115 million as a small, manufactured housing REIT with 31 communities, and has evolved into the leading owner and operator of Manufactured Housing, Recreational Vehicle communities, and Marinas with over 650 properties in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. We look forward to working with Gary to implement a seamless CEO transition.”

Along with Shiffman’s planned retirement, Sun Communities also announced a comprehensive restructuring effort to more effectively align the company’s cost structure and deliver sustainable earnings growth. The company is proactively addressing its challenges and is implementing a plan to unlock the value and earnings potential of the company. The company has been considering and studying many of these cost-saving initiatives throughout this year and is now accelerating their implementation and expanding the scope of the restructuring.

The cost reduction measures include better operating expense management and the implementation of identified efficiencies and savings to the company’s cost base heading into 2025 to position the business for long-term growth. It is expected that these will be achieved primarily through initiatives such as restructuring the company’s operational infrastructure, streamlining and optimizing information technology, implementing more effective asset management, payroll savings and other targeted cost-cutting.

The company has identified and intends to realize annualized G&A and operating expense savings of between $15 million and $20 million on a run-rate basis from the restructuring.

John McLaren is returning to the company full-time as president to oversee the restructuring and the execution of these initiatives. McLaren has been with the company for 22 years and was COO for 14 years through mid-2022. During his time as COO, John oversaw the acquisition and integration of approximately 350 MH and RV communities and brought a performance-driven approach with a focus on bottom-line operational results.

“Progress has been made this year in advancing our strategic initiatives including selling non-strategic assets, reducing debt, and increasing the revenue contribution from annual real property income,” said Gary Shiffman, chairman and CEO. “However, more can and will be done. These proposed changes have been planned for throughout the year and we are accelerating the implementation in the context of our disappointing third quarter performance. We are redoubling our efforts on all fronts, focusing on variable and fixed costs, capital recycling, and debt reduction, with the aim of establishing a sustainable and efficient cost structure and growth trajectory given the continued strong rental rate increases we anticipate in 2025.”

To read the full financial performance report, click here. 

The post Sun Communities Reports 3Q; CEO Shiffman to Retire in ’25 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve officials are poised Thursday to reduce their key interest rate for a second straight time, responding to a steady slowdown of the inflation pressures that exasperated many Americans and contributed to Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, according to an Associated Press report.

Yet the Fed’s future moves are now more uncertain in the aftermath of the election, given that Trump’s economic proposals have been widely flagged as potentially inflationary. His election has also raised the specter of meddling by the White House in the Fed’s policy decisions, with Trump having proclaimed that as president he should have a voice in the central bank’s interest rate decisions.

The Fed has long guarded its status as an independent institution able to make difficult decisions about borrowing rates, free from political interference. Yet during his previous term in the White House, Trump publicly attacked Chair Jerome Powell after the Fed raised rates to fight inflation, and he may do so again.

The economy is also clouding the picture by flashing conflicting signals, with growth solid but hiring weakening. Even so, consumer spending has been healthy, fueling concerns that there is no need for the Fed to reduce borrowing costs and that doing so might overstimulate the economy and even re-accelerate inflation.

Financial markets are throwing yet another curve at the Fed: Investors have sharply pushed up Treasury yields since the central bank cut rates in September. The result has been higher borrowing costs throughout the economy, thereby diminishing the benefit to consumers of the Fed’s half-point cut in its benchmark rate, which it announced after its September meeting.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Federal Reserve Expected to Cut Interest Rates Later Today first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following posting was written by the RV Industry Association (RVIA). The issue has been sweeping across the Internet and social media as well. In separate videos, DeMartini RV Sales in Grass Valley, Calif., (above), and, following the posting, videos from Jason Epperson of RV Miles, Mike Wendland of RV Lifestyle, and Izzy and MJ Alsina from Endless RVing provide further commentary on this issue from their unique perspectives.

In 2025, California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, aimed at promoting zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), will create a near-total “ban” on motorhome sales in the state, as well as in additional states that follow the California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations. While the regulation does not specifically ban motorhome sales, the ACT regulation mandates manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty vehicles to sell an increasing percentage of ZEVs each year. This has led chassis manufacturers to halt sales of traditional internal combustion engine chassis for motorhomes in California, stemming from the lack of ZEV chassis suitable for motorhomes.

Since 2020, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) has been working with CARB on the ACT regulations through conversations directly with CARB staff as well as written and oral testimony at multiple public hearings. When CARB filed its proposed amendments earlier this year, the RV industry met with CARB staff to discuss the impact on the industry. RVIA also submitted comments laying out the negative impact of the regulation on the motorhome industry.

Unfortunately, CARB did not make any further amendment which would alleviate the problem of motorhome manufacturers being told by chassis manufacturers that they would not be able to supply ICE (internal combustion engine) chassis for sale into California since they could not offset their ZEV deficits by sales of a ZEV motorhome chassis.

Making the matter more complicated, it is not just the ACT that is causing the issue right now; it is the trio of regulations passed in the last 2-3 years: the ACT, along with the Omnibus Low NOx rule and the Advanced Clean Fleets rule. These three rules work together with the goal of gradually transitioning medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2036. We have commented to CARB on each of them, and also on the Small Off-Road Engine regulation which threatens spark-ignition engines on generators.

RVIA continues to work with CARB staff on the ACT with their staff looking to hear more from our members and understand why chassis manufacturers will not be able to deliver products. While we are continuing to work with manufacturers, dealers, and CARB to find a solution, if nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025. The exact date is still to be determined.

Below are some FAQs on the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation and how it is specifically impacting the RV industry and RV consumers both in California as well as other states. For more information or questions on the impact of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, please contact RVIA Director of Government Affairs Mike Ochs at [email protected].

Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation FAQs

What is the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation and does it ban the sale of motorhomes in California? When was this regulation passed?

The Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation was adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB or Board) in 2021 to establish zero emission vehicle standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The ACT regulation establishes requirements for manufacturers that certify on-road vehicles over 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to produce and sell an increasing portion of their sales as vehicles that emit no criteria or GHG emissions, i.e., zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) starting in the 2024 model year and ramping up through the end of the 2035 model year.

Amendments to the ACT regulation approved by the Board in October of 2024 addressed issues that have arisen through the rule’s implementation, including OEMs restricting sales of motorhome chassis. The amendments also sought to establish a new Zero-Emission Powertrain Certification test procedure and ensure alignment with the original intent of the rule as well as CARB’s commitments contained in the Clean Truck Partnership agreement.

While the ACT regulation does not impose an outright ban on motorhomes, it has as its primary component a sales requirement that applies to manufacturers that certify incomplete chassis or complete vehicles greater than 8,500 lbs. GVWR (i.e., Class 2b-8 vehicles). Manufacturers (e.g., Daimler, Ford, GM, Mercedez Benz, Navistar, Stellantis, etc.) are required to sell ZEVs as a percentage of their annual total sales. Because chassis manufacturers have no ZEV chassis that are rated for applications to motorhomes, they have been informing motorhome manufacturers that they will not be able to provide them with any internal combustion engine chassis for motorhomes for the California market.

Is it all motorhomes or just diesel that are covered by the ACT regulation? Is there a weight limit? Are Class Bs affected?

While the majority of the attention thus far has focused on Class A and Class C diesel motorhomes, the regulation, with a few exceptions, applies to all medium-duty or heavy-duty vehicles with combustion engines. Any non-exempted on-road vehicle over 8,500 GVWR is included is covered by the regulation, including Class B motorhomes most of which have a GVWR over that amount.

Vehicles exempted from the ACT regulation include emergency vehicles, military tactical vehicles, transit vehicles subject to the Innovative Clean Transit regulation, school buses purchased by K-12 school districts and other entities, and light-duty vehicles dispatched but not owned by transportation network companies (ACT reg, Section 2012(c) Exemptions).

Does CARB consider this a ban, or are there options CARB has laid out for the industry? Are these options feasible?

CARB insists that this regulation gives flexibility to chassis manufacturers in being able to buy and sell ZEV credits to allow them to build combustion engine chassis. The amendments approved last month will also permit secondary vehicle manufacturers to buy and sell these credits. However, neither of these provisions will guarantee that chassis manufacturers will utilize these credits, which are likely to be expensive on the open market and would add another layer of cost to producing a motorhome with a combustion engine chassis. Thus, the RV Industry Association does not believe that a solution that offers only one path for compliance (purchasing expensive ACT credits) is actually a solution at all.

Is the ACT regulation limited to California or are other states following this same regulation?

There are ten states which have adopted the CARB ACT rule. Rules in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington will take effect with the 2025 model year while rules in Vermont will take effect with the 2026 model year, and those in Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, and Rhode Island with the 2027 model year.

States that adopt California emission standards (so-called Section 177 states) are required by federal law to maintain consistency with California’s requirements. Thus, amendments made in California will eventually be adopted by the states listed above.

When does the ACT go into effect? Will dealers be able to sell motorhomes currently on their lots?

The ACT rule applies to model year 2024 and later chassis. The rule has no effect on motorhomes that have already been legally produced and delivered to California.

If a consumer buys an RV from another state that does not comply with ACT, will the consumer be able to register the RV in California?

In the amendments adopted in October 2024, CARB adopted new vehicle labeling and reporting requirements that will help regulators in California ensure that new vehicles registered in California are compliant with the ACT regulation. The amendments take effect with the 2025 model year. In response to a question at the hearing about non-compliant vehicles coming in from out of state, CARB said that a used vehicle, defined as one with more than 7,500 miles on the odometer, could be brought in and registered. Any motorhome with less than 7,500 miles would be considered a new vehicle and would have to be compliant in order to be registered.

Can dealers sell non-compliant RVs to residents outside of California?

Motorhome manufacturers will not be able to ship a non-compliant vehicle into any of the ACT states; thus, California RV dealers would not be able to sell a non-compliant motorhome to a resident of another state even if the customer intends to register the motorhome in a non-ACT state.

How is the ACT regulation enforced? Is it a ban on sales or a ban on registering non-compliant motorhomes?

The ACT regulation directly regulates the companies that certify chassis meet the applicable ZEV production percentages set forth in the regulation. Sales and reporting requirements contained in Section 1963.4 of the regulation require those manufacturers to report to CARB on how they are complying with the requirements. Section 1963.5 of the regulation sets forth enforcement requirements which indicate that CARB has the authority to audit the compliance records of any manufacturer or secondar vehicle manufacturer to confirm the accuracy of their compliance reports. CARB may assess penalties for noncompliance.

The post California’s ‘Ban’ on Motorhomes: What You Need To Know first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Net sales of $915 million in the third quarter, down 5% year-over-year
• Net income of $36 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, in the third quarter, up 38% from the third quarter of 2023
• EBITDA of $85 million in the third quarter, or 9.3% of net sales, up 8% year-over-year
• Operating profit margin of 5.9% in the third quarter, up from 4.8% in the third quarter of 2023
• Quarterly dividend of $1.05 per share paid, totaling $27 million in the third quarter
• Cash flows provided by operations of $402 million for the LTM period ended September 30, 2024
• Strong liquidity position with $161 million of cash and cash equivalents and $383 million of availability on revolving credit facility at September 30, 2024

ELKHART, Ind. – LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), a leading supplier of engineered components to the recreation and transportation markets, today reported third quarter 2024 results.

“Despite a challenging RV and Marine industry backdrop, we delivered a strong quarter with continued market share expansion, increased operating margins, and robust operating cash flow which has reached $402 million over the last twelve months. Share gains were particularly strong across appliances, awnings, chassis, furniture, and windows, which together represent more than 70% of our total North American RV OEM business. These gains were fueled by innovative products like the new line of CURT towing and suspension products we showcased at the September Open House,” commented Jason Lippert, LCI Industries’ president and chief executive officer.

“As a result,” he continued, “our key customers have maintained and increased the amount of Lippert content across their 2025 RV models. At the same time, we believe our commitment to operational excellence, including product quality and supply chain improvement initiatives, drove further margin expansion. Looking ahead, we believe we’re positioned to outperform as demand rebounds, powered by our cutting-edge innovation and a prioritization of strategic M&A to further enhance our diversification and long-term growth potential.”

“I’d like to thank our team members for their dedication to driving our business forward this quarter while working through a challenging environment,” commented Ryan Smith, LCI Industries’ Group President – North America. “We remain focused on leveraging our operational expertise and culture of innovation to support long-term growth for Lippert.”

Third Quarter 2024 Results

Consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $915.5 million, a decrease of 5% from 2023 third quarter net sales of $959.3 million. Net income in the third quarter of 2024 was $35.6 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, compared to $25.9 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023. EBITDA in the third quarter of 2024 was $85.2 million, compared to EBITDA of $78.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. Additional information regarding EBITDA, as well as reconciliations of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure of net income, is provided in the “Supplementary Information – Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” section below.

The decrease in year-over-year net sales for the third quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by lower sales to North American marine and utility trailer OEMs and declines in wholesale shipments of motorhome RV units, partially offset by increased North American RV wholesale shipments of travel trailers and fifth-wheels and market share gains in the automotive aftermarket.

October 2024 Results

October 2024 consolidated net sales were approximately $330 million, down 4% from October 2023, primarily due to an approximate 12% decline in marine sales and an approximate 3% decrease in North American RV production compared to October 2023.

OEM Segment – Third Quarter Performance

OEM net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $684.5 million, a decrease of $44.0 million compared to the same period of 2023. RV OEM net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $422.0 million, down 2% compared to the same prior year period, driven by a shift in unit mix towards lower content single axle travel trailers and a 25% decrease in motorhome wholesale shipments, partially offset by an 11% increase in North American travel trailer and fifth-wheel wholesale shipments and market share gains. Adjacent Industries OEM net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $262.4 million, down 12% year-over-year, primarily due to lower sales to North American marine and utility trailers OEMs, driven by current dealer inventory levels, inflation, and elevated interest rates impacting retail consumers. North American marine OEM net sales in the third quarter of 2024 were $60.8 million, down 16% year-over-year.

Operating profit of the OEM Segment was $21.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, or 3.2% of net sales, compared to $11.2 million, or 1.5% of net sales, in the same period in 2023. The operating profit expansion of the OEM Segment for the quarter was primarily driven by operational improvements, partially offset by the impact of fixed costs spread over decreased sales.

Aftermarket Segment – Third Quarter Performance

Aftermarket net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $231.0 million, in line with the same period in 2023. Resiliency in the Aftermarket Segment was primarily driven by market share gains in the automotive aftermarket, partially offset by lower volumes within the RV aftermarket, which has been negatively impacted by lower consumer discretionary spending. Operating profit of the Aftermarket Segment was $32.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, or 13.9% of net sales, compared to $34.4 million, or 14.9% of net sales, in the same period in 2023. The operating profit contraction of the Aftermarket Segment for the quarter was primarily driven by increased labor costs due to product mix and increased facility costs resulting from investments to expand capacity within the automotive aftermarket, partially offset by decreased material costs.

“Our automotive aftermarket business has continued to outperform, delivering a 7.3% increase in sales to help offset softness in the RV and Marine aftermarkets. We’re also capitalizing on the growing demand for replacement and repair parts by providing innovative content coupled with high quality service, setting us apart for both dealers and consumers,” commented Jamie Schnur, LCI Industries’ Group President – Aftermarket. “We look forward to further expanding our presence in premium markets to support Lippert’s long-term, profitable growth.”

Income Taxes

The company’s effective tax rate was 24.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 26.6% for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2023. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a discrete tax benefit related to an increase in the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies compared to the prior year period.

Balance Sheet and Other Items

At Sept. 30, 2024, the company’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $161.2 million, compared to $66.2 million at December 31, 2023. The company used $80.2 million for dividend payments to shareholders, $31.4 million for capital expenditures, and $20.0 million for an acquisition in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The company’s outstanding long-term indebtedness, including current maturities, was $822.5 million at Sept. 30, 2024, and the company was in compliance with its debt covenants. As of September 30, 2024, the company had $383.1 million of borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility.

Conference Call & Webcast

LCI Industries will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, which may be accessed by dialing (833) 470-1428 for participants in the U.S. and (929) 526-1599 for participants outside the U.S. using the required conference ID 630651. Due to the high volume of companies reporting earnings at this time, please be prepared for hold times of up to 15 minutes when dialing in to the call. In addition, an online, real-time webcast, as well as a supplemental earnings presentation, can be accessed on the Company’s website, www.investors.lci1.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks by dialing (866) 813-9403 for participants in the U.S. and (44) 204-525-0658 for participants outside the U.S. and referencing access code 625624. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website immediately following the conclusion of the call.

About LCI Industries

LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), through its Lippert subsidiary, is a global leader in supplying engineered components to the outdoor recreation and transportation markets. We believe our innovative culture, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and dedication to enhancing the customer experience have established Lippert as a reliable partner for both OEM and aftermarket customers.

For more information, visit www.lippert.com.

The post LCI Reports Strong Operating Performance in 3rd Quarter first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON — With Donald Trump’s election victory all eyes are on how much his promises of sweeping action in a second administration will come to fruition. At the same time, North America’s two major RV trade associations have each issued statements, pledging to work with the with the new administration to seek ways to advance industry objectives and address certain lingering issues.

“With Donald Trump set to return to the White House and a new Congress taking office in January, there will be fresh opportunities to foster growth within the RV industry and encourage more Americans to explore the great outdoors through RV travel,” stated the RV Dealers Association (RVDA). “RVDA and its allies will urge the new administration and Congress to prioritize the passage of the Travel Trailer & Camper Tax Parity Act, fixing the unfair floorplan interest deduction disadvantage faced by some RV dealers who sell non-motorized travel trailers.

“RVDA has developed extensive talking points on the Travel Trailer & Camper Tax Parity Act for members to share with their elected representatives,” RVDA’s statement continued. “RVDA and its outdoor recreation business partners will also continue to advance policies that enhance access to the nation’s public lands.”  

For its part, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) congratulates President-elect Trump on his election victory.

“We are prepared to work with the new administration and Congress to ensure that the needs of the RV industry, our members, and the millions of RVers across the country are well represented,” RVIA’s statement said. “We look forward to the opportunity to continue building on the productive relationship we developed with the first Trump administration, which was instrumental in addressing key issues impacting our industry, including the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. We are committed to collaborating with the incoming administration and with Congress to support American manufacturing, further strengthen the economy, boost outdoor recreation, and promote the growth and vitality of the RV lifestyle nationwide.”

Meanwhile, the nation will now wait and see how much of Trump’s campaign promises will be enacted. The former president and now president-elect often skipped over details, according to an Associated Press report, but through more than a year of policy pronouncements and written statements outlined a wide-ranging agenda that blends traditional conservative approaches to taxes, regulation and cultural issues with a more populist bent on trade and a shift in America’s international role.

Trump’s agenda also would scale back federal government efforts on civil rights and expand presidential powers.

A look at what Trump has proposed:

Taxes

Trump’s tax policies broadly tilt toward corporations and wealthier Americans. That’s mostly due to his promise to extend his 2017 tax overhaul, with a few notable changes that include lowering the corporate income tax rate to 15% from the current 21%. That also involves rolling back Democratic President Joe Biden’s income tax hikes on the wealthiest Americans and scrapping Inflation Reduction Act levies that finance energy measures intended to combat climate change.

Those policies notwithstanding, Trump has put more emphasis on new proposals aimed at working- and middle class Americans: exempting earned tips, Social Security wages and overtime wages from income taxes. It’s noteworthy, however, that his proposal on tips, depending on how Congress might write it, could give a back-door tax break to top wage earners by allowing them to reclassify some of their pay as tip income — a prospect that at its most extreme could see hedge-fund managers or top-flight attorneys taking advantage of a policy that Trump frames as being designed for restaurant servers, bartenders and other service workers.

Tariffs & Trade

Trump’s posture on international trade is to distrust world markets as harmful to American interests. He proposes tariffs of 10% to 20% on foreign goods — and in some speeches has mentioned even higher percentages. He promises to reinstitute an August 2020 executive order requiring that the Food and Drug Administration buy “essential” medications only from U.S. companies. He pledges to block purchases of “any vital infrastructure” in the U.S. by Chinese buyers.

Workers’ rights

Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance framed their ticket as favoring America’s workers. But Trump could make it harder for workers to unionize. In discussing auto workers, Trump focused almost exclusively on Biden’s push toward electric vehicles. When he mentioned unions, it was often to lump “the union bosses and CEOs” together as complicit in “this disastrous electric car scheme.” In an Oct. 23, 2023, statement, Trump said of United Auto Workers, “I’m telling you, you shouldn’t pay those dues.”

Click here to read the full AP article, which also touches on Immigration, abortion; DEI, LGBTQ and civil rights; regulation, federal bureaucracy and presidential power; education; Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; Affordable Care Act and Health Care; climate and energy; and national defense and America’s role in the world.

The post RVIA, RVDA See ‘Fresh Opportunities’ with Trump Victory first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

More than 100 park operators, vendors and industry officials attended Campground Owners of New York’s annual Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry last week in Binghamton, N.Y.

Attendees at the Oct. 27-30 convention at the DoubleTree by Hilton included representatives from 30 private parks and management companies and 43 suppliers and exhibitors.

“It was an honor to host such a dynamic event for members and friends of CONY,” said Emily Simmons, CONY’s executive director.  “Campground operators and suppliers alike were able to foster valuable relationships ahead of the 2025 season, and our lineup of speakers offered key takeaways in various aspects of park operations.”

The convention included both plenary sessions and cracker barrel sessions on a variety of topics, including glamping, Wi-Fi and outsourcing.

Josh Traxler, chief operating officer of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Campspot, led a session titled “Navigating the Camping-Hotel Crossover: What We Can and Can’t Learn From the Hotel Industry.” Traxler discussed how campgrounds can adopt elements traditionally found in hotel services, such as premium accommodations and concierge-level experiences while maintaining the authentic outdoor appeal.

Andrew Ullman, a senior consultant with Kent, Ohio-based Davey Resource Group, led a session advising park operators on ways to appeal to eco-conscious guests through their use of landscaping, eco-friendly infrastructure and sustainable practices.

Whitney Skeans, a senior program manager with National Grid, talked about the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging in campgrounds and the potential revenue streams that EV charging can bring to their parks.

On the marketing front, Josiah Brown, founder of New York’s Best Experiences, talked about generational language differences and offered strategies to create compelling narratives that resonate with modern travelers looking for adventure and authenticity.

Aaron Wall, a territory manager for Hunt Brothers Pizza, discussed best practices for opening efficient, profitable food service offerings.

The convention also included a legal affairs session led by Christine Taylor of The Towne Law Firm, P.C. in Albany and an insurance liability session featuring Irene Jones, assistant vice president and program manager of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Marshall & Sterling.

The conference’s opening session was provided by Amber Cloke, of SUNY Corning Community College.

Other conference events include the induction of Scott Sherwood, of Spruce Row Campground in Ithaca, N.Y. into CONY’s Hall of Fame. Sherwood was honored for his unwavering dedication to the industry for more than 20 years. He was also presented with a special proclamation from Tompkins County.

In addition to the featured speakers, the 2024 CONY Annual Conference included an exciting Cracker Barrel session where attendees participated in an open forum to discuss pressing topics in the industry. Key areas of focus included “What’s the Buzz About Glamping?” where attendees learned how offering glamping options can enhance their campground or RV resort experience.

Other important subjects such as “Other Revenue Options for Your Park”, “Wi-Fi Systems” and “Outsourcing: Is It Worth It?” also were explored, providing valuable insights into diversifying income streams, improving guest satisfaction and optimizing operations.

The post N.Y. Campground Conference Highlights Trends, Challenges first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – Ohio-based Huntington National Bank is returning as a silver partner for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo, according to a release.

The Convention/Expo will take place Nov. 11-15, 2024, at Paris Las Vegas and is sponsored by RVDA of U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. 

“At a time when rising costs are forcing some of our dealers to make decisions about whether or not they can afford certain things that are traditional part of doing business, partnerships such as ours with Huntington National Bank are helping us present the Convention/Expo at a reasonable cost,” said Convention/Expo Committee Chair Chris Andro, Hemlock Hill RV Sales in Southington, CT. “Our lineup of speakers and seminars, as well as networking opportunities and the Expo, make this a can’t-miss event.”

“Huntington continues to build its position in the RV industry as a trusted source of finance, and we want our partnership with RVDA to show how committed we are to meeting the dealers’ needs,” said Marcus Palmer SVP, RV Commercial Vertical Leader of Huntington Distribution Finance. “The convention/expo is the gathering place for dealers and their employees for networking and educational opportunities.”

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 Huntington Returns as Silver Partner for Convention/Expo  first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

OHI is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Awards of Excellence, recognizing the “best of the best” in the outdoor hospitality industry, according to a press release/

The Awards of Excellence are peer-reviewed and judged, and these winners are industry treasures — constantly elevating standards through innovative, forward-thinking practices.

Winners were announced at a special Awards of Excellence Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. CST, Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Oklahoma City, Okla. The luncheon was sponsored by Blue Water Development and Woodall’s Campground Magazine.

For OHCE2024 attendees, the Awards of Excellence Luncheon was a great way to celebrate their fellow industry peers as they gained inspiration from their well-deserved recognition.

Here are this year’s Park of the Year winners: 

OHI Park of the Year Winner (Small Park) TIE

• Aspen Grove RV Park, Trementon, Utah
• Quilly’s Big Fish RV Park, Rockport, Texas 

OHI Park of the Year Winner (Medium Park)

• Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Columbus North, Mt Gilead, Ohio

OHI Park of the Year Winner (Large) TIE

• Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, Santee, Calif.
• El Campo Lost Lagoon RV Resort, El Campo, Texas 

OHI Park of the Year Winner (Mega Park)

• Lakewood Camping Resort. Myrtle Beach, S.C. 

Here are this year’s Plan-It Green Friendly Park of the Year winners:

Plan-It Green Friendly Park of the Year Winner (Large/Mega Park)

• Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, Santee, Calif. 

Supplier of the Year Winner

• Newbook

State Leadership Award Winner

• Dee Witting, Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds 

State Directory Award Winner

• New Jersey Campground Owners Association (NJCOA) – Medium-Sized Association
• Maine Campground Owners Association (MECOA) – Large-Sized Association

Campground Partner Award Winner

• Selena Kelly-Irvin, The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park

Unity Through Generosity Award Winner

• Jim Button, OHE

Above and Beyond Award Winner

• Mark Maciha, Ed. D, CPO​

Stan Martin Award Winner

• Peter Brown, OHC

Pioneer Award Winner

• Robert Bouse, CPO, OHE

Chairman’s Awards Winner

• Peter Brown, OHC
• Kathy Palmeri
• Heather Rubenaker

Outgoing Board Chair’s Award Winner

• Joe Moore

“OHI is proud to have such an exceptional group of parks, professionals, and outdoor hospitality businesses to recognize through the Awards of Excellence Program this year at OHCE2024,” noted OHI officials. “All the winners are more than deserving of these awards and we were thrilled to honor them.”

It was also announced near the end of the ceremony that Jeff Sims, OHI’s longtime director of State Relations & Program Advocacy, was set to retire at the end of the year.

OHI has a replacement but has not named who that replacement is yet.

The association also honored Sims by announcing that it would be handing out an award, the Jeff Sims Advocacy in Action Award, to recognize those in the industry who advocate for issues that support the outdoor hospitality industry.

View a gallery of the award winners below. Photos taken by OHI. 

The post OHI Announces Awards of Excellence Winners at OHCE2024  first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

DAYTON, Ohio – AppOne announced the company will be attending the 2024 RV Dealers Association (RVDA) Convention/Expo, happening Nov. 11–15 at the Paris Las Vegas.

“We’re so excited to be back at the RVDA Convention/Expo this year to talk with RV professionals about the industry and how to be successful in this market,” said Chet Heughan, senior sales director at AppOne. “AppOne has helped countless RV dealerships simplify their lending processes to save money and time and reduce compliance risks while completing deal paperwork. We’re looking forward to showing attendees just how we do that.”

AppOne will also hold a Vendor Training Plus session at the show at 12 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12. Attendees are welcome to join the session to learn more about AppOne and ask questions.

AppOne is a proprietary, SaaS-based solution that streamlines and automates traditional tasks. Dealers can access multiple lender programs to submit loan applications and create complete, compliant funding packages consistent with the lenders’ approval and program requirements.

Stop by booth #709 to speak with an AppOne rep and learn more about the platform and how it can help dealerships streamline operations.

About AppOne

AppOne is a leading provider of workflow and productivity solutions, services, and specialized software to streamline the indirect lending process for lenders, service companies, manufacturers, and dealers (e.g. recreational vehicle (RV), marine and power sports). The company is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.

The post AppOne to Attend, Host Seminar at RVDA Convention/Expo first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – 700 Credit LLC, one of the automotive industry’s leading providers of credit reports, compliance solutions, soft pull, and identity verification products, announced results of an industry-wide survey that takes the pulse of RV dealers and their processes for securing customer data during test drives, obtaining copies of consumers drivers’ licenses, placing those copies in the deal jacket and the significant challenges RV dealers still face in multiple fraud scenarios.

The RV industry has seen significant growth over the past decade as more people seek the freedom and adventure that RV life offers. However, with this growth comes an increasing responsibility for RV dealers to protect customer data, particularly during processes like test drives and sales transactions. Dealers often collect sensitive personal information, such as driver’s licenses, often without following compliant procedures for data privacy laws.

This creates vulnerabilities not only in the form of data breaches but also in increasing incidents of synthetic ID fraud. These issues can result in lender chargebacks, which are financially and operationally problematic for RV dealerships. 700Credit commissioned an online industry-wide survey of RV dealers and the results illustrated the following key findings:

Capturing Driver’s License Data

• Only 17% of dealers are storing driver’s license copies in an electronic deal jacket, and 50% are still using paper deal jackets.
• Over 50% of dealers are either making paper copies of licenses, taking a picture of licenses with employee’s phones or having customers email copies to employees. These trends are alarming and both speak to the lack of consumer data privacy per Safeguards mandates.

Synthetic Fraud Awareness

• 67.1% of respondents are familiar with synthetic fraud, but only 25% understand how synthetic IDs are created.
• 33% of dealers are completely unfamiliar with synthetic fraud, indicating a significant knowledge gap in the industry.

Vehicle Theft

• 30.3% of dealers reported having an RV stolen due to fake identity or synthetic fraud in the past 12 months.
• 21.3% of dealers experienced RV theft due to key fob swaps within the same period.

Test Drive Security

• Only 25% of dealerships require salespeople to accompany customers on all test drives (another 32% said they “sometimes” accompany on test drives).
• 27.6% do not require accompaniment, leaving potential security vulnerabilities.

Identity Verification Practices

• 26.3% of dealers still rely on simple photocopies of driver’s licenses for test drives.
• Only 4% validate driver’s licenses against DMV databases, the most secure method available.

Financial Impact

• 18.4% of dealers had to buy back at least one RV from their lender due to a fraudulent loan application in the past year.

Industry Implications

These findings underscore the pressing need for enhanced security measures and fraud prevention strategies in the RV industry. The prevalence of synthetic fraud and vehicle theft highlights vulnerabilities that could lead to significant financial losses for dealers.

“The results of this survey are a wake-up call for the RV industry,” said Ken Hill, Managing Director of 700Credit. “It’s clear that many dealers are still not adequately prepared to properly manage sensitive consumer data privacy, nor are they equipped to combat sophisticated fraud techniques. We urge all RV dealers to reassess their security protocols and implement more robust identity verification systems.”

700Credit recommends that dealers invest in advanced identity verification technologies, improve staff training on fraud detection, and implement stricter drivers’ license collection procedures and test drive policies to mitigate risks.

About 700Credit
700Credit is the automotive industry’s leading provider of credit reports, compliance solutions, soft pull products, identity theft, and driver’s license authentication platforms. The company’s product and service offerings include credit reports, prescreen and pre-qualification platforms, OFAC compliance, Red Flag solutions, 2022 Safeguards protection, Synthetic Fraud Detection, Identity Verification, score disclosure notices, adverse action notices, and mobile and in-store driver’s license authentication solutions. For more information about 700Credit, visit http://www.700credit.com.

The post Survey: RV Dealers Still Lacking Procedures for Test Drives first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.