Curtin to Give RV Outlook at Committee Week

Economist Richard Curtin, director of the Consumer Research Center at the University of Michigan, will provide the initial outlook for RV wholesale shipments in 2014 during remarks at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) Committee Week 2013 at the Joint Committee Luncheon, taking place from noon to 1:30 p.m. on June 3.

According to a press release, his presentation will also include the latest projections for year-end 2013 totals and an examination of the general economic climate.

Curtin authors RVIA’s RV Roadsigns, the association’s quarterly forecasting newsletter and has directed RVIA’s RV consumer demographic research since 1980.

RVIA’s Committee Week 2013 will take place June 2–6 at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington in Washington, D.C. Over the course of the five-day event, standing committees, the Executive Committee and the RVIA board will meet to set the association’s plans for the upcoming fiscal year. The Go RVing Coalition will also meet on June 3. The event concludes with the board meeting on June 6 where committee recommendations are reviewed.

For more information about Committee Week, contact Doreen Cashion in the Meetings and Shows Department at (703) 620-6003 (ext. 324) or dcashion@rvia.org.

RVIA PR Efforts Gain National Media Attention

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) public relations team has been working throughout the winter and early spring to promote the RV industry and lifestyle in the media nationwide.

According to a press release, the effort has resulted in a multitude of positive RV stories highlighting the industry’s growth in shipments, as well as key messages about the affordability, fun and flexibility of RV travel.

Stories have appeared in national and local media outlets. Here are a few highlights from the national media:

• On March 1, USA Today reported that motorhome shipments rose 13.6% in 2012 and were expected to rise approximately the same amount in 2013. The story cited RVIA statistics, included quotes from industry executives, and discussed the falling unemployment rate in Elkhart County.

• On Feb. 21, The Wall Street Journal published an article about the RV industry bouncing back from the recession. The story focused primarily on upscale design features now available in towable RVs.

• A Jan. 28 story that appeared on Today.com reported on the Kelloggs — a family with 12 children that sold their house to live full-time on the road in an RV.

• On Jan. 27, RV tailgating was highlighted on the FOX News morning show “Fox & Friends.” The segment featured sportswriter Kerry Byrne, who also published blog entries and videos highlighting the RV lifestyle on the popular NFL site ColdHardFootballFacts.com.

RVIA has also worked with show promoters across the country to generate media coverage of the new products and record crowds reported at RV shows. Positive stories about the industry’s growing sales and popularity appeared in dozens of local media outlets around the country. For full details, visit the “News Room” at RVIA.org.

 

 

RVIA Capitol Hill Advocacy Day Set for June 5

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) members will visit members of Congress and their key legislative staff during the association’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, scheduled for June 5 during Committee Week.

“Advocacy Day is one of the highlights of Committee Week for attendees and a vitally important element in RVIA’s efforts to increase awareness of the industry and our issues at the federal level,” said Jay Landers, RVIA’s senior director of government affairs, in a press release. “These visits and meetings help strengthen relationships between RVIA members and the members of Congress who represent their states and districts.”

RVIA’s Government Affairs staff schedules appointments with elected officials, provides briefing materials and accompanies members on visits. The program also gives participants the opportunity to have photos taken with Congressmen and Senators.

Advocacy Day begins with a morning meeting during which RVIA members are briefed on the issues they will be discussing with congressional members and their staff. The briefing includes rehearsal exercises that help RVIA members practice discussing key issues before they set out to meet elected officials.

For more information on RVIA’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day visit http://www.rvia.org/?ESID=CHAD or contact Monika Geraci at mgeraci@rvia.org or (703) 620-6003 (ext. 318).

RVIA: Park Model Shipments Gain Momentum

Shipment reports released by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) show that after a steady 2012, park model shipments were up sharply to start 2013.

According to a press release, this follows a trend seen across the entire RV industry. RVIA is reporting that 2,770 units were shipped in 2012, a small improvement over the 2,761 units that the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA) reported were shipped by manufacturers in 2011.

According to RVIA Executive Director of Recreational Park Trailers Matt Wald, “Park trailer shipments began surging in October of 2012 and that has continued into 2013. In fact, shipments in January of 2013 were an incredible 138% higher than shipments reported in January 2012. Through February 2013, park model shipments are about 75% higher compared to the first two months of 2012.”

He added, “The bottom line is that the park model industry has been red hot for the past five months.”

Wald points to a number of factors for the surge in shipments, including growing interest in seasonal camping as Baby Boomers continue to retire in droves as well as a push by many campgrounds to reap the benefits of making deluxe camping accommodation rentals available to their customers.

Candidates Sought for RVIA’s Board Elections

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) Nominating Committee has issued a call for candidates from the association’s membership to run in this year’s board election.

According to a press release, there are seven positions up for election this year including seats for one manufacturer, one recreation park trailer manufacturer, two at-large, and three supplier representatives.

The RVIA board has the highest level of authority in the association’s organizational structure. It is responsible for association affairs on a broad policy basis. The board meets three times per year: in March, during Committee Week in June, and in mid-September.

“The RVIA Board plays an integral role in guiding the work of the association and shaping the future of the RV industry,” said RVIA President Richard Coon. “We encourage any association member with an interest in working on the key issues facing the RV industry to run for a seat on the RVIA board.”

Each RVIA manufacturer and supplier member company is afforded a single vote in the association elections, scheduled to take place electronically in August. Newly elected board members will begin serving their terms on Oct. 1.

Those interested in becoming a candidate for the RVIA board elections should contact RVIA’s Mac Bryan at (703) 620-6003, ext. 334, or mbryan@rvia.org for consideration by the RVIA Nominating Committee.

That group is chaired by Jeff Rutherford of Carefree of Colorado and includes Andy Baer of KZRV LP, Gregg Fore of Dicor Corp. and Jim Sheldon of Navistar RV.

RVIA’s Committee Week Slated For Early June

RVIA’s Committee Week 2013 will take place June 2–6 at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington in Washington, D.C., according to a press release.

Over the course of the five-day event, standing committees, the Executive Committee and the RVIA board will meet to set the association’s plans for the upcoming fiscal year. The Go RVing Coalition will also meet on June 3.

In addition to the full slate of committee meetings, other key events on the schedule include:

• 2014 RV Market Outlook – Economist Richard Curtin, director of consumer research at the University of Michigan, will provide the first forecast for the RV market in 2014 and examine the current economic climate at the Joint Committee Luncheon on June 3.

• RVIA’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day – RVIA members will visit Capitol Hill on June 5 to meet with legislators and their staff to discuss key issues critical to the RV industry.

• Networking Events – Several joint committee luncheons and receptions, including the opening reception the evening of June 3 at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment, will give Committee Week participants the opportunity to establish, renew and build upon the relationships critical to business success.

The Mayflower Renaissance Washington is a luxury hotel and historic landmark. Proclaimed by President Truman to be Washington, D.C.’s “Second Best Address” after the White House, the hotel is on the National Registry of Historic Places and a Historic Hotel of America.

Located just blocks from the White House, metro stops and dining and cultural hot spots, the 4-diamond property offers a splendid center for exploring the city.

For more information about Committee Week, contact Doreen Cashion in the Meetings and Shows Department at (703) 620-6003 (ext. 324) or dcashion@rvia.org.

 

RVIA Executive Committee Names 2 Members

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association RVIA board elected two new members to the Executive Committee and three new members to board seats during its March 4 meeting in Orlando, Fla., in conjunction with the association’s Annual Meeting.

Garry Enyart of Cummins Power Generation and Matt Miller of Newmar Corp. were elected to the Executive Committee as treasurer and secretary, respectively. The two join Chairman Doug Gaeddert of Forest River Inc.; 1st Vice Chairman Derald Bontrager of Jayco Inc.; 2n Vice Chairman Bob Parish of GE Capital; Chairman Ex Officio Gregg Fore of Dicor Corp.; and RVIA President Richard Coon. They replace Bob Olson of Winnebago Industries Inc. and John Regan of Fabric Services who both resigned from the RVIA board and Executive Committee.

The new board members are Chad Reece of Winnebago, assuming the manufacturer seat vacated by Olson; Tim Stephens of Atwood Mobile Products, appointed to the supplier seat vacated by Regan; and Dave Schutz of Dometic Corp., assuming the supplier seat vacated by Doug Whyte).

In other action at the meeting, the RVIA board:

• Decreased the cost of the RVIA seal from $17 to $16, effective July 1. The new $16 seal fee will apply to all member manufacturer vehicle types. The Go RVing per unit assessment remains unchanged at the current levels of $46 for folding camping trailers and truck campers; $61 for travel trailers and fifth-wheel travel trailers; and $74 for motorhomes.

• Allocated an additional $150,000 to the fiscal year 2013 budget for the Education Department to accelerate and enhance the educational and training efforts for RV service technicians and to increase technician participation in programs.

• Approved changing the show hours for the California RV Show to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays.

• Set the RV manufacturer do-it-yourself booth rate for the California RV Show at $2.65 per square foot, up from $2.50 per square foot in 2012.

• Increased the height limit for manufacturer exhibits at the National RV Trade Show from 16 feet to 20 feet.

RVB’s Ashley Garners RVIA Journalism Honor

Bob Ashley, a columnist for RV Business and Woodall’s Campground Management magazines, has been honored by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) with its “Distinguished Service in RV Journalism” award.

The award was announced at the RVIA Annual Meeting last week in Orlando, Fla.

Ashley is an Indiana-based freelance writer/editor and a 25-year newspaper veteran who has focused on the RV industry and national recreation issues for 18 years. He writes a regular column, titled “Public Domain” for RVB while also freelancing for other RV trade and consumer publications.

In a press release, RVIA noted:

“The Distinguished Achievement in RV Journalism Award is presented to journalists for exemplary coverage of the RV industry or RV travel. Bob Ashley has covered the RV industry for nearly 20 years as both a trade writer for RVBusiness and a reporter for enthusiast publications such as Motorhome and Trailer Life. He specializes in writing about the research, development and production of RVs and in his career has covered the industry’s evolution in product development from the frontlines. He also examines key legislative issues affecting the RV industry in his “Public Domain” column in RVBusiness.”

The award will be presented during Committee Week in June.

Fore Celebrated for Service as RVIA Chairman

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) members celebrated Dicor Corp.’s Gregg Fore for his service as the association’s chairman from 2010–2012 at the Chairman’s Dinner and Gala that took place on March 5 at RVIA’s Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

RVIA Chairman Doug Gaeddert said that Fore led the association in a precarious time as it navigated a sometimes rocky road toward recovery from the Great Recession, according to a press release. “Gregg’s calm and steady leadership guided us through some challenging times and positioned the industry for sustainable growth and prosperity,” he said.

Gaeddert also detailed key accomplishments under Fore’s leadership This included enhancing industry education and certification with the introduction of the RV service technician career ladder; the launch of Go RVing’s “AWAY” campaign – the industry’s first all new campaign since 2005; a focus on capitalizing on the growing global RV market; and a renewed focus on uniting industry allies.

“Under Gregg’s leadership, we’ve strengthened our relationship with dealer partners, moved toward a more uniform North American RV market with the creation of the Canadian Coalition Committee, and healed old wounds to welcome recreation park trailer manufacturers back into RVIA,” said Gaeddert. “These developments have increased unity, making our industry stronger, more efficient and more consumer-focused.”

Gaeddert invited past RVIA Chairs Norm Jacobson, Mel Adams and Jim Sheldon to join him in presenting Fore with several gifts in recognition of his service, including the Chairman’s Award plaque, an RVIA chairman’s ring and the gavel he used during his time in office. Fore’s wife Nancy was also recognized for her support and presented a crystal vase. On behalf of the RVIA staff, RVIA President Richard Coon gave Fore a scrapbook commemorating his term as chairman that included photos, press clippings, and letters of congratulations from association colleagues.

“It was an honor and pleasure to serve as RVIA chairman. The experience was rewarding and meaningful to me in many ways,” said Fore. “I want to thank our members for their support of the association, the many volunteers who serve on committees and the Board for their hard work on so many issues, and the association staff for their efforts conducted on our behalf. It was pleasure working with all of you.”

Industry’s Leaders Honored at Annual Meeting

During the March 5 Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Annual Membership Meeting at the Loews Portofino Bay Resort in Orlando, Fla., industry leaders were honored for their outstanding contributions to the association and the RV industry.

“RVIA’s awards program recognizes individuals in a variety of areas who work selflessly and diligently for the betterment of the RV industry,” said RVIA Chairman Doug Gaeddert in a press release. “It is an honor to acknowledge the success they have achieved.”

Awards included:

Distinguished Service to the RV Industry Award – Recognized as the industry’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the RV industry who sets themselves apart through outstanding service. This year’s recipient was Bob Olson of Winnebago Industries Inc.

Olson has served on the RVIA board and on the Executive Committee, holding the offices of first vice chairman, second vice chairman, treasurer and secretary. He also has served as Go RVing co-chairman with Tom Stinnett for the last three years, helping to re-energize the national industry advertising campaign’s consumer appeal and industry response.

“Bob joined the RVIA board in 2008, just as the RV market experienced one of its most severe downturns and RVIA faced daunting economic challenges,” said Gaeddert. “Through his leadership with RVIA and Go RVing, we have overcome difficult challenges and remained unified in the process. It is entirely fitting that we honor Bob for his career-long commitment to advancing the RV industry.”

Special Award – Norm Jacobson (second from right) of Lance Camper Manufacturing was honored with the Special Award for his extraordinary contributions to the RV industry’s overall success. As a board member of the Trailer Coach Association in the early 1970s Jacobson played a key role in the merger with Recreation Vehicle Institute that created RVIA.

“After helping found RVIA, Norm’s leadership and service continued full bore for the next 29 years. As RVIA’s longest serving board member and in his service as chairman in 1983 and 1984, he has helped the association grow and thrive in representing the industry,” said Gaeddert. “As Norm enters retirement, it is a special honor to recognize him for his illustrious career and for his exemplary service to the association and the industry.”

David J. Humphreys Industry Unity Award – Recognizing those individuals who continuously strive to encourage the multiple constituencies of the RV industry to work collectively for the growth and betterment of the industry, the award was presented to Mel Adams (left) of Airxcel and Rick Horsey (right) of Parkview RV Center. The two created the award in 2005 to honor Dave Humphreys as he retired from RVIA.

Adams and Horsey have worked individually and in tandem at their respective companies and in their leadership positions at RVIA and RVDA for more than a decade to forge greater industry unity among RV manufacturers, suppliers and dealers. Specifically, they have worked hand-in-hand as strong advocates of the industry’s training and education efforts, working tirelessly to bring all parties together on this import topic.

“They are passionate advocates on the need to work together and to find common ground,” said Gaeddert. “Our industry has benefited greatly from their work on industry education. They are very deserving recipients who embody the spirit of this award.”

Other award recipients announced at the Annual Meeting were:

Distinguished Achievement in RV Standards – Tom Ryan, D & R Agency

National Education Service Award – Garett Carolus, Keystone RV Co.

Distinguished Achievement in RV Journalism – Bob Ashley, RV Business

National Legislative Award – The Honorable Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Roy Dockum, Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission

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