JASPER, Ind. – Meyer Distributing announced a new distribution partnership with Absolute Outdoors, featuring its water safety brand, Onyx, according to a release.
Onyx, a brand under Absolute Outdoors, delivers innovative, high-performance outdoor gear designed to keep up with every adventure. From inflatable life jackets to durable rainwear, Onyx products are made for those who live for the water. Whether you’re boating, fishing, paddling, or cruising your favorite lake, Onyx helps you enjoy your time outdoors — safely and comfortably.
“Absolute Outdoors is proud to announce our partnership with Meyer Distributing,” said Rob Morine of Absolute Outdoors/Onyx. “Meyer will offer life jackets, flotation devices, and safety equipment for all those looking for summer fun. Whether you’re boating with friends and family, fishing, kayaking, water skiing, or something in between, all Onyx products deliver comfort, safety, and reliability.”
“Safe waterfowl hunting, fishing, and boating starts with good-quality PFDs. I use them personally, and we’re happy to have Onyx on board to keep enthusiasts safe while enjoying the outdoors,” said Nick Gramelspacher, VP of Brand Strategy at Meyer Distributing.
Meyer Distributing is a complete international automotive, powersports, RV, and towing distributor. With 114 locations nationwide and over 3,500,000 square feet of warehouse space, Meyer has a massive inventory of parts to service its customers. With strategically positioned warehouse facilities, Meyer Distributing can provide next-day delivery to most locations using Meyer Logistics direct ship.
JASPER, Ind. – Meyer Distributing announced a new distribution partnership with Absolute Outdoors, featuring its water safety brand, Onyx, according to a release.
Onyx, a brand under Absolute Outdoors, delivers innovative, high-performance outdoor gear designed to keep up with every adventure. From inflatable life jackets to durable rainwear, Onyx products are made for those who live for the water. Whether you’re boating, fishing, paddling, or cruising your favorite lake, Onyx helps you enjoy your time outdoors — safely and comfortably.
“Absolute Outdoors is proud to announce our partnership with Meyer Distributing,” said Rob Morine of Absolute Outdoors/Onyx. “Meyer will offer life jackets, flotation devices, and safety equipment for all those looking for summer fun. Whether you’re boating with friends and family, fishing, kayaking, water skiing, or something in between, all Onyx products deliver comfort, safety, and reliability.”
“Safe waterfowl hunting, fishing, and boating starts with good-quality PFDs. I use them personally, and we’re happy to have Onyx on board to keep enthusiasts safe while enjoying the outdoors,” said Nick Gramelspacher, VP of Brand Strategy at Meyer Distributing.
Meyer Distributing is a complete international automotive, powersports, RV, and towing distributor. With 114 locations nationwide and over 3,500,000 square feet of warehouse space, Meyer has a massive inventory of parts to service its customers. With strategically positioned warehouse facilities, Meyer Distributing can provide next-day delivery to most locations using Meyer Logistics direct ship.
Registration is open for the RV Technical Institute’s (RVTI) second Level 3 Electricalspecialty course, scheduled for Tuesday, June 17-19, at the RV Technical Institute’s facility in Elkhart, Ind., according to a News & Insights report by the RV Industry Association.
Attendees will obtain 24hours of training throughout the course. The workshop incorporates all the necessary requirements to become Level 3 certified in electrical.
Individuals must already have an RV Technical Institute Level 2 certification or higher to attend this event. Failure to meet the certification level pre-requisite will forfeit the registration fee, and registration will be cancelled.
The workshop breakdown is as follows:
The RV Technical Institute will cover surge protection
Furrion and Lippert will cover power distribution, amperes, converters, inverters, transfer switches, batteries, and solar power
Xantrex will cover inverters, lithium-ion batteries, solar power, and amperes
Dragonfly Energy will cover converters, inverters, batteries, solar power, and amperes
Renogy will cover converters, batteries, solar power, and amperes
NexGen Power Systems will cover generators
WFCO Technologies will cover converters, inverters, transfer switches and batteries
This workshop fulfills the training hour requirements for this specialty. Upon successful completion, participants will obtain Level 3 Specialty certification in this category. Technicians who obtain all certifications in all five specialties (electrical, chassis, electronics, appliances, and slideout) will earn their Level 4 Master Certification.
The cost for enrollment is $75. Availability is limited, so register today!
Launched last year, the Level 3 workshop series makes it easier for RV technicians to acquire the needed specialty hours and elevate their knowledge of the RV systems and components. While only one workshop was hosted for each of the five specialties in 2024, this year the Institute is hosting two workshops for each.
This upcoming course marks the fourth class in the RV Technical Institute’s 2025 Level 3 workshop series. This is also the second (and final) Level 3 electrical workshop taking place this year. All future Level 3 workshops scheduled for this year will focus on the other four specialties.
Level 3 courses are still being offered year-round through the RV Technical Institute’s authorized supplier trainings. View those trainings on the RVTI website.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a News & Insights report by the RV Industry Association.
The RV Industry Association’s Marketing and Communications team is the voice of the industry, ensuring a cohesive and positive message across the media landscape. The team’s messaging continues to draw a younger, more diverse consumer base to enjoy the benefits of RVing and the great outdoors. To assist with the Association’s marketing efforts, the Marketing and Communications department recently onboarded Senior Manager of Public Relations Mindy Smith.
After graduating with her master’s in Public Affairs in 2012, Mindy began working with the Girl Scouts. “I was a lifelong Girl Scout K-12 and then I was a Girl Scout volunteer, so my natural next step was to work for the organization because they’d recruited me,” Mindy explains. “I was responsible for their marketing and public relations. I also helped with their curriculum development.” Additionally, during her time with the Girl Scouts, Mindy worked with outdoor organizations such as The North Face to help create partnerships for girls, Girl Scouts, and volunteers.
Mindy Smith
“That was really rewarding, and I did that for about eight years in total,” Mindy reflects. “After Girl Scouts, I went straight into public relations and the outdoor industry. I worked for a public relations agency, Darby Communications, that focused on outdoor activities such as backpacking, paddling, climbing, and running. There I managed six outdoor gear brand accounts and public relations accounts, where I led strategy and supported different types of media. I learned quite a bit.”
One of the accounts she worked with was SylvanSport, an RV Industry Association member, which encouraged her to begin learning more about the RV industry. “I really enjoy it,” she says. “I love that people can take road trips with their family and friends and have those shared experiences. So, here I am!”
Asthe RV Industry Association’sSenior Manager of Public Relations, Mindy’s responsibilities include media monitoring and strategy development to determine what public relations campaigns and pitching strategies are going to yield results that create a genuine interest in the RV lifestyle. “I follow the trends and media cycles, maintain a PR calendar, provide support when we are presented with media opportunities, utilize our website resources to help answer media questions, and support our public relations agencies,” Mindy explains. “We have incredible agency support, and we empower our agencies to implement strategies that we’re developing. We support them by providing guidance around our organization’s goals and priorities, discussing what resources they have, and explaining how our goals can be implemented.”
So far, Mindy’s favorite part of her new role is working on strategy development alongside Senior Director of Public Relations and Communications Monika Geraci.“I really enjoy working with Monika on strategy development,” says Mindy. “I’m approaching the RV industry with an understanding of the wider outdoor industry. I enjoy learning about the RV industry and using that information to help develop our calendars and our priorities.”
While Mindy learned about the RV industry from a professional standpoint during her time at Darby Communications, her first introduction to the RV world was during childhood. “I grew up camping in a pop-up camper with my parents,” she says, adding that she began camping in western North Carolina at five years old.
“My mom, stepdad, and I always visited Camp Mortimer in western North Carolina, and we stayed there in our Coleman pop up camper,” she recalls. “We would go there multiple times each summer— Memorial Day weekend, July Fourth, and other times throughout the summers. I have the fondest memories. The same families always camped there so it always felt like a big reunion of friends. Sometimes I still go back.”
“It was my gateway to working in the outdoor and RV industries,” Mindy continues. “Those experiences brought me s’mores, hiking and biking, and sliding down Camp Mortimer’s Thorps Creek Falls. It brought me all of these activities that help define who I am today. I’m an avid outdoorswoman. The RV industry, to me, is the gateway to being a part of something bigger than me, which is the outdoor industry and our access to our national parks, public lands, trails, and campgrounds.”
Additionally, Mindy says, the outdoors provides opportunities to connect with loved ones and carry on traditions to the next generation. “I want to give the outdoor experience to my daughter,” she says. “I recently adopted my nine-year-old daughter and I’m seven months into parenting. She stayed in an RV last summer with us for a week in Wyoming and she keeps saying she can’t wait to do it again. I’m giving her a similar experience to what I had growing up. The outdoors is about family and friendship.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a News & Insights report by the RV Industry Association.
The RV Industry Association’s Marketing and Communications team is the voice of the industry, ensuring a cohesive and positive message across the media landscape. The team’s messaging continues to draw a younger, more diverse consumer base to enjoy the benefits of RVing and the great outdoors. To assist with the Association’s marketing efforts, the Marketing and Communications department recently onboarded Senior Manager of Public Relations Mindy Smith.
After graduating with her master’s in Public Affairs in 2012, Mindy began working with the Girl Scouts. “I was a lifelong Girl Scout K-12 and then I was a Girl Scout volunteer, so my natural next step was to work for the organization because they’d recruited me,” Mindy explains. “I was responsible for their marketing and public relations. I also helped with their curriculum development.” Additionally, during her time with the Girl Scouts, Mindy worked with outdoor organizations such as The North Face to help create partnerships for girls, Girl Scouts, and volunteers.
Mindy Smith
“That was really rewarding, and I did that for about eight years in total,” Mindy reflects. “After Girl Scouts, I went straight into public relations and the outdoor industry. I worked for a public relations agency, Darby Communications, that focused on outdoor activities such as backpacking, paddling, climbing, and running. There I managed six outdoor gear brand accounts and public relations accounts, where I led strategy and supported different types of media. I learned quite a bit.”
One of the accounts she worked with was SylvanSport, an RV Industry Association member, which encouraged her to begin learning more about the RV industry. “I really enjoy it,” she says. “I love that people can take road trips with their family and friends and have those shared experiences. So, here I am!”
Asthe RV Industry Association’sSenior Manager of Public Relations, Mindy’s responsibilities include media monitoring and strategy development to determine what public relations campaigns and pitching strategies are going to yield results that create a genuine interest in the RV lifestyle. “I follow the trends and media cycles, maintain a PR calendar, provide support when we are presented with media opportunities, utilize our website resources to help answer media questions, and support our public relations agencies,” Mindy explains. “We have incredible agency support, and we empower our agencies to implement strategies that we’re developing. We support them by providing guidance around our organization’s goals and priorities, discussing what resources they have, and explaining how our goals can be implemented.”
So far, Mindy’s favorite part of her new role is working on strategy development alongside Senior Director of Public Relations and Communications Monika Geraci.“I really enjoy working with Monika on strategy development,” says Mindy. “I’m approaching the RV industry with an understanding of the wider outdoor industry. I enjoy learning about the RV industry and using that information to help develop our calendars and our priorities.”
While Mindy learned about the RV industry from a professional standpoint during her time at Darby Communications, her first introduction to the RV world was during childhood. “I grew up camping in a pop-up camper with my parents,” she says, adding that she began camping in western North Carolina at five years old.
“My mom, stepdad, and I always visited Camp Mortimer in western North Carolina, and we stayed there in our Coleman pop up camper,” she recalls. “We would go there multiple times each summer— Memorial Day weekend, July Fourth, and other times throughout the summers. I have the fondest memories. The same families always camped there so it always felt like a big reunion of friends. Sometimes I still go back.”
“It was my gateway to working in the outdoor and RV industries,” Mindy continues. “Those experiences brought me s’mores, hiking and biking, and sliding down Camp Mortimer’s Thorps Creek Falls. It brought me all of these activities that help define who I am today. I’m an avid outdoorswoman. The RV industry, to me, is the gateway to being a part of something bigger than me, which is the outdoor industry and our access to our national parks, public lands, trails, and campgrounds.”
Additionally, Mindy says, the outdoors provides opportunities to connect with loved ones and carry on traditions to the next generation. “I want to give the outdoor experience to my daughter,” she says. “I recently adopted my nine-year-old daughter and I’m seven months into parenting. She stayed in an RV last summer with us for a week in Wyoming and she keeps saying she can’t wait to do it again. I’m giving her a similar experience to what I had growing up. The outdoors is about family and friendship.”
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Dyrt – a camping app featuring state and national park campgrounds, RV parks, glamping, and free campsites, along with millions of user-generated campground reviews — has found that pickleball courts were the top amenity added by private campgrounds in 2024, according to a release.
This finding is from the 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, the most comprehensive look at the latest trends, topics and figures for the U.S. camping industry. The latest version of The Dyrt’s annual report is compiled from the results of surveys conducted with three groups — thousands of members of The Dyrt camper community, a representative sample of U.S. residents, and camping property managers across all 50 states.
According to the survey, 17% of private campgrounds that added amenities in 2024 chose to install pickleball courts, nearly doubling the second-most-added amenity on the list, which was Wi-Fi (9.8%). (Overall, Wi-Fi is easily the most popular amenity and is offered at 71.5% of all private campgrounds.)
“Each year we send out a survey to our guests, and the installation of pickleball courts started after we received feedback from our Year 2020 survey,” says Lloyd Lauland, president of RVC Outdoor Destinations. “We have now installed pickleball courts at three of our resorts: Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort (Tennessee), Gulf Shores RV Resort (Alabama) and Sandusky RV Resort (Ohio). Guests of all ages are enjoying the amenity and we provide the equipment at no cost to our guests.
“Gulf Shores was the host site for an RV Rally in December. During the site visit a year ago, our general manager suggested that, as part of the event, we could do pickleball clinics over the course of the week and have a tournament at the end. One of the most highly ranked professional pickleball players in the U.S. conducted the clinics and organized the tournament. It was a huge success.”
Pickleball courts overtook Wi-Fi as the most-added amenity in 2024. Properties were 29% more likely to add pickleball courts in 2024 than any other amenity, including swimming pools and hot tubs, dog parks, kayaks/canoes, and bicycles.
About The Dyrt
The Dyrt is the only camping app that has it all: state and national park campgrounds, RV parks, glamping, and free campsites, along with millions of user-generated campground reviews. With The Dyrt PRO, campers get comprehensive free camping tools, reservations at sold-out campgrounds, advanced route planning and maps, as well as discounts on camping. The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks and informed by the largest online camping community is the leading source of information for the camping industry.
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Dyrt – a camping app featuring state and national park campgrounds, RV parks, glamping, and free campsites, along with millions of user-generated campground reviews — has found that pickleball courts were the top amenity added by private campgrounds in 2024, according to a release.
This finding is from the 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, the most comprehensive look at the latest trends, topics and figures for the U.S. camping industry. The latest version of The Dyrt’s annual report is compiled from the results of surveys conducted with three groups — thousands of members of The Dyrt camper community, a representative sample of U.S. residents, and camping property managers across all 50 states.
According to the survey, 17% of private campgrounds that added amenities in 2024 chose to install pickleball courts, nearly doubling the second-most-added amenity on the list, which was Wi-Fi (9.8%). (Overall, Wi-Fi is easily the most popular amenity and is offered at 71.5% of all private campgrounds.)
“Each year we send out a survey to our guests, and the installation of pickleball courts started after we received feedback from our Year 2020 survey,” says Lloyd Lauland, president of RVC Outdoor Destinations. “We have now installed pickleball courts at three of our resorts: Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort (Tennessee), Gulf Shores RV Resort (Alabama) and Sandusky RV Resort (Ohio). Guests of all ages are enjoying the amenity and we provide the equipment at no cost to our guests.
“Gulf Shores was the host site for an RV Rally in December. During the site visit a year ago, our general manager suggested that, as part of the event, we could do pickleball clinics over the course of the week and have a tournament at the end. One of the most highly ranked professional pickleball players in the U.S. conducted the clinics and organized the tournament. It was a huge success.”
Pickleball courts overtook Wi-Fi as the most-added amenity in 2024. Properties were 29% more likely to add pickleball courts in 2024 than any other amenity, including swimming pools and hot tubs, dog parks, kayaks/canoes, and bicycles.
About The Dyrt
The Dyrt is the only camping app that has it all: state and national park campgrounds, RV parks, glamping, and free campsites, along with millions of user-generated campground reviews. With The Dyrt PRO, campers get comprehensive free camping tools, reservations at sold-out campgrounds, advanced route planning and maps, as well as discounts on camping. The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks and informed by the largest online camping community is the leading source of information for the camping industry.
CHICAGO – Monroe Capital has announced a partnership with Source One Financial Services to originate and purchase consumer recreational vehicle and marine loans, with an initial pool of around $250m (£187m), according to a report at AlternativeCreditInvestor.com.
Monroe will provide the capital, having secured a revolving credit facility with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to finance the origination and purchase.
The capital will allow Source One to drive origination growth in high-quality consumer RV and marine loans. It will then originate and service the loans.
“This investment directly highlights Monroe’s asset-backed finance expertise and our ability to source unique and high-quality specialty finance transactions,” said Kyle Asher, co-head, alternative creditsSolutions, Monroe Capital.
“With this partnership, we continue to execute on our strategy to diversify and expand funding for Source One assets,” added Steve Hudson, chief executive of ECN Capital, the parent company of Source One.
GOSHEN, Ind. –Last week, Entegra Coach hosted its annual owners’ Homecoming event at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Ind. This year, nearly 500 luxury diesel coach owners, Entegra Coach staff and suppliers attended to teach and learn about their coaches, celebrate each other and make lasting memories, according to a release.
Approximately 200 coaches arrived and checked in by 8 a.m., Tuesday, May 13 and the festivities ran through noon on Friday, May 16.
President & CEO Ken Walters kicked off Tuesday with a question-and-answer session followed by Senior Product Director Pat Carroll holding the annual “What’s New” session to discuss all of the changes and additions to the 2026 models. Owners then walked through a full display of new models and spent one-on-one time with the Entegra Coach sales and product development teams. The evening concluded with a happy hour and a BBQ with campfires, games and music.
Nic Martin
Wednesday was filled with training classes, tours, pickleball and a vendor fair. The country themed evening began with a happy hour. This was followed by dinner and a management program featuring Trey Miller, Vice President of Marketing, and Nic Martin, Vice President of Sales. Following recognition and words from Platinum sponsor Spartan RV Chassis, the night continued with music from the Mason Dixon Line Band. The evening finished with the tradition of all owners returning to their coaches and turning on their front “C” lights on their coaches around the fairgrounds.
Training classes resumed and continued throughout the day Thursday. The evening began with a happy hour hosted in the vendor fair building and dinner, then Steve Claude, vice president of Customer Service, introducing the team responsible for servicing coaches and providing technical support throughout the week. Guests were then treated to a classic rock themed night with the band Blammo.
The event wrapped up Friday morning and units began to leave the fairgrounds to conclude the 2025 festivities.
“This year’s event was bittersweet on the heels of the announcement regarding our future in this segment of the business, but it was important for our customers to hear and more importantly see from us directly that our commitment to them is unchanged and we’re confident that message was received.” Stated Nic Martin – Vice President of Sales.
The event was made possible by Platinum sponsor Spartan RV Chassis, Gold sponsors Global Link Distribution, Airxcel, Cummins Onan, Lippert, Premium Paint and River Park, along with many more Silver and Bronze level sponsors.
About Entegra Coach
Headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, Entegra Coach, a division of Jayco, Inc., manufacturers and markets luxury diesel and gas motorhomes. For additional information about Entegra Coach or its products, call 1-(800)-517-9137 or visit www.entegracoach.com.
GOSHEN, Ind. – Genesis Products Inc. recently announced its high-presure laminate (HPL) and Edgeband stocking program as part of an initiative to make matching materials effortless. After years of development with their Surface Synergies program, HPL & Edgeband are joining TFL, 2DL and 3DL to make a distinct difference in kitchen, closet and office projects.
Genesis HPL is an exclusive offering that has been curated to enhance its Surface Synergies program with Class A fire-rated and anti-microbial materials. The HPL will ship from its Mocksville, North Carolina facility with availability in 4 x 8″ panels and a lead time of 4 weeks on average.
“The Surface synergies program enables customers to consolidate all products on one truck, minimizing the cost and logistical challenges of transportation.” — Chris Tutuska, Product Director
Edgeband will be stocked at 7 locations nationwide with availability in standard 15/16″ W x 1mm and a 2-week lead time on average. Because Genesis holds its supplier to the same standards it holds itself, customers can expect truly complete Edgeband matches to achieve a seamless look for panels, doors and drawers.
“The Surface synergies program enables customers to consolidate all products on one truck, minimizing the cost and logistical challenges of transportation,” said Chris Tutuska, Product Director. “Our goal is to have all materials arrive on time – at the same time – to streamline fabrication.”
See all 38 Surface Synergies matches, including their HPL and Edgeband, laid out beautifully at Closet Expo booth 316, June 11-13 in West Palm Beach, Florida. They’ll also be showcasing XClad Cabinets, their wood powder-coated storage system that is commanding the garage space. Learn more at http://www.genesisproductsinc.com
About Genesis Products Founded in 2002, Genesis Products is “Product Driven – People Powered” and a leading supplier of laminated panels and wood components for a variety of industries – including Cabinets & Storage, RV Interiors, Work Vehicles, and Commercial Acoustic Interiors. Genesis operates facilities in Indiana, Virginia, Florida, and Arkansas with 13 plants across the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast. Visit http://www.genesisproductsinc.com to learn more.
