RVDA App Lets Dealers Promote Store, Events

The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) is urging members to set up a dealer profile on the RVDA Dealer App for smartphones, according to a press release.

When consumers planning RV travel go online to Rand McNally’s “Best of the Road” website, they can easily find RVDA members involved in RV sales, service, rental and aftermarket businesses. Each profile can be customized to provide information about specials, display inventory photos or post a personal statement about the dealership’s customer service commitment.

The “Best of the Road” website and RVDA Dealer Locator App combine to offer members a powerful online marketing tool that can be a great asset in promoting and growing a business. Members currently utilizing the service include:

• Noble RV in Owatonna, Minn., promotes a 10% savings on parts and service through the end of the calendar year .

• Norm’s RV in Poway, Calif., have personalized their dealer profile to promote their sales, master certified technicians and rental vehicle fleet while reminding customers that Norm’s offers storage services for RVs not in use.

• Wilkins RV in Bath, N.Y., offers store information including hours, inventory numbers and service availability.

• Stoltzfus RV in RV’s and Marine in West Chester, Pa., offers an aerial photograph on their profile page.

Every profile page already comes preloaded with links to the dealership website, directions, a map and contact information.

Members can access their profiles at www.bestoftheroad.com. For information on how to set up your profile, contact Chuck Boyd at (800) 336-0355 or cboyd@rvda.org.

Webinar Will Outline Affordable Care Act Regs

A free webinar presented by the RV Learning Center in conjunction with online marketing firm KPA will explore the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will  become effective on Jan. 1, 2014. To register click here.

According to a press releas, the webinar is set for May 16 at noon ET and is timed to allow dealerships to plan ahead for the next phases of ACA reforms and make sure an effective compliance strategy in place. Dealers will get expert advice from Kristin Kahle, senior vice president and compliance officer for the Benefits Exchange Alliance.

Kahle will discuss:

• With 41 taxes within healthcare, what affects dealers?

• What is the employer shared responsibility?

• What are the primary timelines and deadlines dealers should be aware of?

• Compliance — what do dealers need to know?

• Strategic business plan on healthcare reform.

If unable to attend, register to receive a link to a recording of the webinar along with the presentation slides. If you have any questions or feedback, contact Becky Ross at bross@kpaonline.com (866) 356-1735 or Karin Van Duyse at the RV Learning Center at kvanduyse@rvda.org(703) 591-7130.

Webinar to Outline EPA’s Storage Vessel Regs

A free webinar hosted by the RV Learning Center in conjunction with Internet marketing firm KPA will focus on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations pertaining to underground and above ground storage vessels. According to a press release, the webinar is scheduled for May 9, at noon EST. To register click here.

Many facilities must use storage tanks to hold large amounts of chemicals needed for production. Above ground storage tank issues can be easily identified, but there are also other EPA regulations dealers need to be aware of that do not involve the physical state of the tank. Underground storage tanks are not as common as they once were, but  dealers should be aware that these tanks require constant inspections, testing, and insurance to prevent an underground leak.

KPA engineer Zach Pucillo will discuss the routine maintenance regulators look for and clarify important regulations pertaining to both above and underground storage tanks.

If unable to participate, register and receive a link to a recording of the webinar along with the presentation slides. For additional information, contact Becky Ross at bross@kpaonline.com (866) 356-1735 or Karin Van Duyse at the RV Learning Center at kvanduyse@rvda.org(703) 591-7130.

Dealer Satisfaction Survey is Available Online

Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) members are encouraged to participate in the 20th Annual Dealer Satisfaction Survey of manufacturers’ performance.

According to a press release, the resulting Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) will be released to brand committee chairmen in time for the 2013 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo in Las Vegas, Sept. 30–Oct. 4.

The DSI is not a scientific study, but it measures dealers’ attitudes about manufacturers’ performance in eight key areas identified by RVDA’s Industry Relations Committee, including:

•  Sales support.

•  Sales territory.

•  Vehicle design.

•  Vehicle reliability/quality.

•  Competitive price/value.

•  Parts support.

•  Dealership warranty support.

•  Overall dealer communications.

Many manufacturers use DSI results to adjust policies and procedures that affect dealers, so “it’s extremely important for all dealers to fill out the survey and rate every brand and manufacturer whose products they carry,” stated RVDA.

RVDA dealer members can Click Here to access the survey (member login required). The preferred method for completing the survey is online, but dealers are also permitted to print and fax the survey to RVDA if necessary.

For more information, send an email to info@rvda.org or call the dealer services hotline.

Webinar Preps Dealers for On-Site Inspection

A free webinar from the RV Learning Center, slated for May 2 at noon EDT, will show RV dealers best practices in preparing for regulatory inspections from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Department of Transportation (DOT).

According to a press release, the webinar is available through a strategic partnership with online marketing firm KPA. Register by clicking here.

Maintaining a compliant workplace is always an important aspect of preparedness, but the webinar will highlight procedures dealers should follow once the regulator is on-site. Knowing what to expect will reduce stress regarding the inspection process and may minimize the risk of potential fines.

If you are unable to attend the webinar at this time, register and you will be sent a link to a recording of the webinar along with the presentation slides. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Becky Ross at bross@kpaonline.com (866) 356-1735 or Karin Van Duyse at the RV Learning Center at kvanduyse@rvda.org (703) 591-7130.

Reach Dealers Through Vendor Training +Plus

Booth Space is on Sale for RV Dealers Confab

Booth space for the 2013 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo running Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Las Vegas is currently on sale, according to a press release from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA). To view a map of the expo floor showing space available click here.

Themed “Education: Your Competitive Advantage,” this year’s event is a major draw for dealers offering the opportunity to learn about new products and services that can help them solve problems and run their businesses more efficiently. With the economic uptick in the industry, dealers are more eager than ever to find ways to capitalize on the increased demand.

The Expo opens Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. and leads up to a reception that same afternoon from 4–6 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Exhibit Hall is open with lunch served for conference attendees. RVDA noted that no education events will conflict with expo hours in order to maximize exhibitors’ exposure to dealers.

“Exhibiting at our convention gives suppliers quality time with the industry’s real decision makers,” said John McCluskey, chairman of the Convention/Expo Planning Committee. “Numbers don’t lie. RVDA members are the retail powerhouses of the RV industry, accounting for 84% of the RV sales in the U.S. market and 90 percent in the Canadian market.”

Details are available here on the RVDA website and more information is available from Julie Newhouse at RVDA. She can be contacted at (703) 591-7130, ext. 103, or jnewhouse@rvda.org to explain how exhibiting, partnership, or “Vendor Training +plus” can give dealers an edge.

Visit www.rvda.org and www.rvlearningcenter.com  to register for the convention and for regular updates. The industry can also get updates by following the convention on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Dealer Webinar Covers Regulatory Paperwork

RVDA Seeking Speakers for Convention/Expo

The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association’s (RVDA) Convention/Expo Committee is soliciting speakers for the education component of the RV Dealers International Convention/Expo, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, in Las Vegas. According to a press release, there are more than 50 opportunities to speak at the convention between Wednesday and Friday, and RVDA is asking those with an interest in “giving back to the industry” to join the program and inform dealers about ways to grow and improve their businesses.

The event is open to a wide spectrum of speakers from within and outside the RV industry. In all cases, the Convention/Expo Committee looks for proven experts, especially those who can attract and engage attendees. To ensure the timeliness, quality and credibility of the program, the committee works to include a number of first-time RVDA presenters and limits workshops from speakers that present year after year.  Member surveys confirm that one of the top reasons RVDA members choose to attend the annual convention/expo is the number of workshops with new topics and new speakers.

The deadline for submissions has been extended through April 29.  This solicitation is for the non-promotional and non-proprietary educational component of the event.  A speaker FAQ is available here.

RVDA’s Convention/Expo is expecting this year’s attendance will include dealer principals and team members from more than 200 dealerships, with total attendance exceeding 1,000.

To be considered, speaker submissions must be received by April 29. The submission form  document  is provided here. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. The workshop title, description, and learning outcomes should be clear, concise, and exciting — designed to attract attendees to the session by highlighting what they will learn and gain from the session.

The committee needs sufficient detail to accurately evaluate how it might fit in this year’s program. To help in the evaluation process, the committee encourages potential speakers to record a short video overview and provide it along with the workshop submission. If the workshop is selected, the video will be used to promote the session. For consistency, the speaker should state his/her name, title, company, “I will be presenting at the RVDA Convention & Expo,” session title and subtitle (if applicable), and three things workshop attendees will learn.

For more information, contact Karin Van Duyse, kvanduyse@rvda.org, or Liz Shoemaker, lshoemaker@rvda.org with 2013 Convention/Expo and use Workshop Submission in the subject line. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities, participating in Vendor Training Plus, and exhibitor information can contact RVDA at (703) 591-7130, ext. 103 or send an e-mail to jnewhouse@rvda.org.

Visit www.rvda.org and www.rvlearningcenter.com  to register for the convention and for regular updates. The industry can also get updates by following the convention on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Registration Open for 2013 RV Dealers Confab

Registration is now open for the 2013 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), National RV Dealers Association, RVDA of Canada, and the RV Learning Center.

“Education: Your Competitive Advantage” is the theme of the five-day convention that will give dealers and their staff new opportunities for professional development and networking, according to a press release.  An emphasis on the power of an educated work force will be evident throughout the meeting with the addition of Vendor Training +plus, a new program offering longer proprietary training sessions, a track of workshops for young RV executives and pricing that encourages dealers to bring more staff to benefit from the Convention/Expo.

Vendor Training +plus sessions are scheduled to be held on Monday and Tuesday of the convention and are included in the overall convention registration fee. These sessions will allow for longer periods of training than a standard workshop.

For dealership personnel who cannot stay for the entire convention, there is special pricing to allow them to attend only Vendor Training +plus and to experience the expo during a reception Tuesday evening. This pricing flexibility gives dealers the chance to have more staff participate in this all-important event, build their professional skills, and meet others in the industry without missing too much time on the job.

The 2013 convention will also feature an exhibit hall filled with the RV industry’s leading suppliers of products and services to help dealers improve profitability. RVDA’s Partners in Progress Brand Committees will also meet to work on important dealer-manufacturer issues.

RVDA, RVDA of Canada, and the RV Learning Center will have a series of announcements on speakers, workshops and special events planned for the convention in the coming weeks.

Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities, participating in Vendor Training +plus, and exhibitor information can contact RVDA at (703) 591-7130, ext. 103 or send an e-mail to jnewhouse@rvda.org.

Visit www.rvda.org and www.rvlearningcenter.com  to register for the convention and for regular updates. The industry can also get updates by following the convention on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

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