RVIA Poll Shows RVers Will Adapt to Gas Costs

Recreation vehicle owners expect to hit the road in big numbers this spring and summer, and plan to adjust to higher fuel prices by enjoying frequent weekend getaways and staying closer to home, according to a new survey.

Despite rising fuel prices, the latest Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners, conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), reveals that 64% of RV owners intend to use their RVs more this spring/summer than they did last year, 24% say they’ll use their RVs the same amount and 7% indicated they’ll use their RV less.

The survey of 424 RV owners was conducted by RVIA and Cvent from March 14-27 and has a margin of error of 4.5%.

The top reasons for using their RVs more include enjoying outdoor activity, taking mini-vacations, spending quality time with family and escaping from the stress and pressure of everyday life.

More than half (58%) said that fuel prices will affect their RV travel plans. Respondents indicated they will still travel by RV, but will adjust plans by traveling to destinations closer to home (74%) and driving fewer miles in their RVs (68%).

Other survey results showed:

• Approximately 18% of RV owners are engaging in “seasonal” or “destination” camping.

• 70% of RVers plan to take more 1-4 day mini-vacations this spring/summer.

• 54% of RV owners bring pets along on trips. Most RVers traveling with pets bring dogs (92%) and cats (14%).

RVing is a great way to stay active while on vacation, according to RV owners.

• More than 71% of the respondents said they’re more physically active on an RV trip — 76% said their children are more active.

• 72% of the participants plan to visit a national park this year; 74% say they’ll visit a state park; and two-thirds plan to visit historic site this spring/summer.

• Favorite activities include sightseeing (77%), cooking out (75%), visiting friends and family (58%), hiking (57%), fishing (50%) and visiting festivals or fairs (49%).

 

GE’s Annunziata Slated at World RV Conference

According to a press release, Annunziata will examine how the increasingly complex global economy impacts business trends and markets during luncheon remarks on Friday, January 18.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Marco Annunziata speak at the 2nd World RV Conference,” said RVIA President Richard Coon. “As an internationally respected economist and business analyst, he will help us gain a deeper understanding of the role global economic conditions have in shaping our business.”

Annunziata is responsible for global economic, financial and market analysis to support GE’s business strategy. He is a member of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) Shadow Council and of the European Council of Economists. He joined GE in January 2011 after serving as chief economist at UniCredit Group and Chief Economist for the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region at Deutsche Bank. He holds a Ph.D in Economics from Princeton University and a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Bologna.

Hosted by RVIA, the 2nd World RV Conference will draw RV industry executives and leaders from around the world to Tampa in January 2013. The event will feature an informative conference agenda that will provide attendees the opportunity to share market information and statistics, discuss technical issues and standards, and explore how RV companies can work together in an interconnected world market.

In addition to compelling keynote speakers and general and breakout conference sessions, the 2nd World RV Conference will also include trips to the Florida RV SuperShow and Lazydays RV Super Center.

Registration materials and full program information for the event will be available later this spring. Industry members are encouraged to check the ‘2nd World RV Conference” tab at www.rvia.org for updates. To make hotel reservations, contact the Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina at (888) 789-3090 and ask for the “2nd World RV Conference Room Block.”

Progress Made to Blend U.S., Canada Standards

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) Standards Department is reporting that efforts to harmonize the United States’ NFPA 1192 RV standard and Canada’s CSA Z240 RV standard are progressing toward a uniform approach.

According to a press release, a joint ad hoc committee held its inaugural meeting March 13-14 at CSA’s headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario to begin the process of identifying issues that need to be changed to initiate harmonization. Members of the NFPA Technical Committee on RVs and the CSA Z240 Technical Committee were named by the respective chairmen of these two groups.

Over 50 code change proposals were developed for the CSA Z240 RV standard and 13 proposals were drafted for the 2014 edition of NFPA 1192. These draft proposals will now be forwarded to the respective full committees for review and action. The NFPA Technical Committee on RVs will be meeting in May and the CSA Z240 Technical Committee is planning to meet in September.

The development of the ad hoc committee followed an RVIA-initiated meeting in October 2011 in Boston between CSA and NFPA to begin harmonization discussions. Both organizations indicated that the development of a single set of requirements that would apply to all North American RVs could be beneficial to the North American RV industry.

“The first effort in a formalized harmonization is not likely to result in a single document with both designations. Instead, the harmonized requirements would be published in the 2014 editions of each standard. Hopefully a single CSA/NFPA document with both designations could be considered for the next cycle in 2017,” said RVIA Vice President of Standards and Education Bruce Hopkins.

Hopkins noted that several RVIA members were key in the effort, including: Jeff Christner, Forest River Inc.; Terry Elias, Triple E RV; Peter Gildenstem, Intertek; Jerome Hoover, Monaco RV LLC; and David Mihalick, Thor Industries Inc.

Feb. Shipments Up Sharply, Show 24% YOY Gain

RV shipments to retailers rose sharply in February, climbing 31.8% above last month and up 24.2% ahead of this same month last year.

The 24,600 units reported in the latest survey of manufacturers marked the best February total in four years for all RV products and raised the first two month’s total this year 15.2% above the same period one year ago.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, February shipments were at an annual rate of more than 286,000 units, a gain of 12.9% over the January rate.

For the first two months of 2012, shipments were ahead of last year by 15.2% on shipments of 43,300 units. Shipments of towable RVs have improved 17% to 39,200 units while motorhome products have held their own and produced 4,100 units so far this year.

Fore Asks Members to Engage Political Leaders

Editor’s Note: After addressing legislative matters at the March 8 membership meeting, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Chairman Gregg Fore, president of Dicor Corp., issued this appeal to the membership regarding political challenges that, he points out, are beyond RVIA’s internal control and beyond the reach of the trade association’s strategic plan. These, on the contrary, are “broader issues that impact our industry” that come from “external sources.” Here, verbatim, are his comments:

I don’t want to use this platform to go into a deep political discourse, as most of you know my personal politics. As both a proud American and chairman of RVIA, I believe passionately in our collective strength as a nation and as an industry – and I know each of you share that passion.

Our industry, like many in this country, features a collection of small businesses as well as larger conglomerates. From the hard-working Americans who build our products, to the small business owners who sell and maintain them, we all share a stake in the larger economic and political landscape that shapes our day-to-day dealings.

For myriad reasons, our economy continues to limp along. While we’ve seen signs of improvement, one is left to wonder if some of that comes from the inherent optimism found in most Americans, and that many are simply tired of contributing to negativity.

Today’s economy is more complex than it used to be. It is more global, and failings overseas can create skittishness in the States that leads to enhanced fluctuations and further stymies our recovery. It can be a vicious cycle.

But many of the problems that continue to hinder our recovery are of our own making. Over-governance and legislative over-zealousness can result in punitive marketplace conditions that stifle growth.

When American manufacturing and industry works best, it does so under market conditions that allow for the proven and sustained supply and demand model to flourish. It’s an engine that performs most efficiently when given the freedom needed to innovate; to be entrepreneurial, to anticipate and meet the ever changing needs of the consumer while inviting investment in continued research and development.

It presents us all with some fundamental questions. As an industry, should we not support a corporate tax rate more in line with other industrialized nations — one that promotes US growth and investment?

Or a domestic fuel policy that appropriately balances the need for researching alternative fuel sources with responsible usage of our Country’s own abundant resources – much like the approach taken by our neighbors to the North?

Or ending regulation that may be well intended, but upon implementation is rife with unintended consequences that stifles innovation and increases costs to consumers?

Earlier, I asked for your active participation in our association, and I ask for it again as we look at the many external issues that impact our industry every day – whether spawned from the Executive, Legislative or Regulatory arms of government.

It is incumbent upon each of us, as well as RVIA, to actively engage our political leaders to voice our positions on the key issues that impact our businesses, our employees and their families. We have a responsibility to stay involved to ensure we are prepared for the issues we face today and the ones we will face tomorrow.

RVIA is our association, but it only succeeds with your active support. All of us need to continue the fight to ensure a free business environment that is grounded in the proven laws of supply and demand…one that promotes healthy and honest competition among business entities… and one devoid of onerous and artificial market influences.

This is at the core of what all of us in RVIA should be fighting for. For it is at the center of our continued success, and will help ensure that we can continue to provide consumers with products and services that are unequaled in quality and workmanship.

Even though it seems we are constantly facing government roadblocks, I remain very optimistic about both our industry and our country. Clearly, there is much we have to do – and we must do it together.

The dragons aren’t hard to spot, whether within our industry, or at the state and federal government level. Finding the dragon is the easy part, slaying them is another story. It takes planning, perseverance, and strength. And that strength comes from us.

 

 

RVIA Offers PR, Ad Highlights at Annual Meeting

During RVIA’s March 8 Annual Membership Meeting, Public Relations Committee Chairman B.J. Thompson and Vice President of Public Relations and Advertising James Ashurst provided attendees with an update on the industry’s public relations and marketing activities.

According to a press release, the presentation kicked off with the new “AWAY” campaign creative showcasing the industry’s return to the emotion-driven focus on family fun, affordability and flexibility of RV travel.

Ashurst offered an overview of the 2012 strategic media plan, detailing how the $10.3 million advertising spend for 2012 features a strong mix of proven media and several expanded and new media partnerships.

“The advertising market is changing, and so are the days of the traditional ad buy,” he said. “Our strategic focus for 2012 is to identify advertising partnerships that allow for greater brand extensions than we’ve done in the past – opportunities that will stretch our ad dollars, add value and encourage additional partnerships in the future with like-minded brands.”

Thompson led the public relations discussion by updating attendees on RVIA’s move to bring more of the PR function in-house by using consultants that have been contracted to supplement internal efforts. He touched on several recent successes, including more than 100 newspapers picking up an Associated Press story on the state of the industry, as well as dozens of local print stories touting the early RV consumer show season.

“RVs continued to receive positive media coverage during the winter months, and our work with earned media throughout the year will continue to deliver the message that RVs provide consumers with the opportunity to pursue their passions, build connections through shared adventures, and that there is an RV that fits their needs and budget,” Thompson said.

Thompson showcased several videos highlighting recent consumer media features including national broadcast coverage on Fox&Friends and Rachael Ray, as well as footage from HGTV’s RV 2012, and HGTV’s most popular series House Hunters – a segment featuring a couple looking to settle down in an RV. RVIA worked closely with producers on each of these segments, and have laid the groundwork for additional coverage moving forward.

Thompson concluded, “PR continues to be a driving force behind our ongoing promotional efforts. The PR team and our media consultants are working on numerous projects, and we are extremely confident that despite the ever-present uncertainty in the economy, 2012 will be a banner year in terms of positive media coverage for RVs.”

On the “AWAY” campaign front, Ashurst shared videos from Go RVing’s first-ever national RV giveaways with the Great American Country (GAC) and Outdoor Channel cable networks. The GAC partnership is a multi-platform execution that features multiple vignettes starring country music artist Chuck Wicks, a six-page special section in People Country magazine, and culminates with the grand prize of a 2012 Lance Ultralight travel trailer. The Outdoor Channel, which will air four Go RVing vignettes featuring the network’s popular hunting and fishing hosts, is offering a 2012 Somerset off-road folding camping trailer from Columbia Northwest as the grand prize in the network’s “Spring Fever” promotion.

Ashurst touched on several other promotions with top media brands including National Geographic Channel and an expanded partnership with Speed Channel that features popular host Rutledge Wood and his family traveling in a type A motorhome provided by Monaco in a custom on-air segment

Additionally, Ashurst highlighted how Go RVing is staying aggressive in the sports category, with a more robust execution with MLB Network. The 2012 partnership, dubbed the “Home and Away Tour”, includes an eight-market stadium tour featuring a custom-wrapped motorhome from Jayco that allows for mobile studio interviews with players and managers in and around the RV. An exciting new partnership has been forged with NFL Network, providing Go RVing a highly visible presence during the network’s popular Game Day Morning. The collaboration will feature editorial and advertising extensions in the league’s new monthly, NFL Magazine.

Additionally, Go RVing has struck a deal with CBS Sports Network that will include RV-specific content as part of packages celebrating unique college football tailgating traditions.

Franchise Laws on RVIA’s Annual Meeting Radar

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) continues to lobby – with considerable success — for industry-friendly franchise laws in many U.S. locales, RVIA Chairman Gregg Fore reported during RVIA’s Annual Meeting, March 4-9 at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Palm Springs, Calif.

RVIA’s staff last year worked on 49 franchise bills in 30 states, Fore, president of Elkhart, Ind.-based Dicor Corp., told some of the 160 people during the membership meeting. “That’s a lot, and RVIA was successful in most cases,” he said. “This year, we are working in 17 states on 20 franchise bills with outcomes still to be determined.

“In most cases these franchise laws are more geared toward the automotive industry,” said Fore. “Instead of trying to constantly amend franchise legislation to address RV industry concerns, we have shifted our approach to developing an alternative RV-specific franchise legislation that takes into account the differences between the automotive and RV industry business models. Working with dealers, we have been able to enact what we would term ‘fair’ RV-specific legislation in 15 states to date.”

Lemon Law legislation also continues to be one of the leading issues facing the industry, said Fore, adding that RVIA last year was involved in 10 bills in nine states, and none were enacted into law. “We are working on 10 Lemon Law bills in seven states this year to ensure fairness in this type of legislation,” he said.

Other relevant Annual Meeting topics:

• RVIA is opening an office in China to promote members’ efforts to do business in that burgeoning Asian nation, as previously posted on RVBUSINESS.com.

• RVIA and the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA) announced an agreement under which park trailer manufacturers will be able to join RVIA as members, as reported March 7 on RVBUSINESS.com.

• Harmonizing Canadian and American standards remains a priority on which RVIA’s leadership and its Canadian counterparts plan to forge progress in 2012.

• Technician training and certification is a front-burner priority for RVIA and the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), said Fore. This year, after a process of identifying barriers to delivering ongoing training to RV technicians, the industry unveiled a new training program that provides a career ladder giving technicians the option of two paths to certification.

• The association, from a fiscal standpoint, is debt-free and healthy. Treasurer Derald Bontrager, president of Jayco Inc., Middlebury, Ind., reported that 2011 revenues of $12.3 million, though off from $14 million in 2010, exceeded 2011 expenses of $11.8 million. This year’s budget, in turn, calls for revenues of $12.5 million against expenses of $12.65 million for a marginal deficit of about $195,000.

• Debate continues regarding the fate of national trade shows, a hot topic lately in RVIA and RVDA circles, although it wasn’t a decision item on the board’s agenda.

Meanwhile, in his turn at the podium during the membership meeting, RVIA Chairman Richard Coon pointed out just how much the recession has taken a bite out of the RV industry and, consequently, RVIA. While wholesale shipments slipped 32% since 2006, RVIA’s membership roster — including 98% of U.S. RV builders — slipped 28% since 2008 from 542 to 392. Manufacturing membership fell 39% from 108 to 66. RVIA’s Virginia-based staff, in turn, was cut from 61 to 47.

“By the way, if I had to guess about the manufacturing membership, I don’t think we’ll turn around and go back up,” Coon told RVBusiness. “I could be wrong, but I think you’ll see more consolidations continue versus more people (companies) coming in over the next five years.”

 

 

RVIA’s Coon Examines Future Trends for Industry

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) President Richard Coon detailed a number of key issues on the association’s agenda that will have long-term implications for the RV industry while addressing members at the March 8 Annual Membership Meeting at Ranchos Las Palmas in Palm Springs, Calif.

“RVIA is working diligently on these important items because they will play a factor in the continued success of our members and the RV market,” said Coon.

Coon said the association is continuing to identify and maximize the potential of global opportunities, noting that in addition to the established markets in North America, Europe and Australia there are potential new markets in China, Brazil and South Africa. “There are tremendous growth opportunities for RV manufacturers and suppliers across the globe,” said Coon. “RVIA is working to make it easier for our members to take advantage of these global opportunities by studying the market potential and gaining an understanding the legislative and regulatory environment in these markets.”

On a related note, Coon pointed to the ongoing efforts to harmonize United States and Canadian RV standards. “Our goal is to have a uniform standard so that American and Canadian manufacturers can do business in a more efficient, cost-effective way,” said Coon.

Coon also said the destination camping market is a new area of focus for the association. An ad-hoc Destination Camping Committee composed of RV and park trailer manufacturers as well as campground industry members was formed to determine the size, scope and potential of this market. “With destination camping taking many forms, defining what it exactly is can be a little difficult, but we do know that it is a growing part of the RV and campground industries that requires our attention,” said Coon.

Coon also told attendees that the RV industry is expected to have its best year since 2007 based on the latest RV wholesale projections from economist Richard Curtin in the spring 2012 issue of RV Roadsigns. “RVIA is projecting 265,200 units to be shipped this year, which would be a 5.1% increase over the 2011 year-end total of 252,300 units,” he said.

RVIA Honors Industry Leaders at Annual Meeting

During the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Annual Membership Meeting, held March 8 at Ranchos Las Palmas in Palm Springs, Calif., RVIA honored industry leaders who exhibited outstanding contributions to the association and the RV industry this past year.

“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 Gregg Fore in a press release. “It is an honor to acknowledge the success they have achieved.”

Awards included:

• Distinguished Service 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 Jeff Hanemaayer, chairman of Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. “Through his leadership roles with RVIA, the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA), Go RVing and Go RVing Canada, Jeff has served as an ambassador helping to unite the RV markets in Canada and the United States to create a true North American RV industry,” said Fore. “He helped guide the formation of RVIA’s Canadian Coalition Committee that is focused on harmonizing standards, synchronizing Go RVing advertising efforts and coordinating legislative and regulatory lobbying efforts.”

• Special Award: Sid Johnson, director of marketing at Jayco Inc., was honored with the Special Award for his extraordinary contributions to the RV industry’s overall success. As a 12-year member of RVIA’s Market Information Committee, including service as chairman from 2006-20011, Johnson has helped guide the transition of industry shipment data into the electronic age. “Through his leadership, RVIA has advanced the accuracy, relevance and timeliness of industry shipment data and market research that members rely upon to make critical business decisions,” said Fore.

• Distinguished Achievement in RV Standards – The Distinguished Achievement in RV Standards Award, honoring an individual making outstanding contributions toward the advance of standards in the RV industry, was presented to Dave Mihalick, standards compliance manager at Thor Industries Inc. “In his service as member of RVIA’s Standards Steering Committee and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, Dave is leading the charge in addressing critical standards and harmonization issues related to the import and export of RV products,” said Fore. “This is critically important work as the RV industry develops an even greater global footprint.”

RVIA also announced the following award recipients who were not able to attend the Annual Meeting. These awards will be presented at RVIA’s Committee Week in Washington, D.C. in June.

• David J. Humphreys Industry Unity Award – Lance Wilson, Florida RV Trade Association

• National Scholastic Award – Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

• National Education Service Award – Steve Evenson, Winnebago Industries Inc.

• Distinguished Achievement in RV Journalism – HGTV

• National Legislative Award – Ray Beebe, Winnebago

Agreement Allows RPTIA Members to Join RVIA

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA) have announced an agreement under which park trailer manufacturers will be able to join RVIA as members.

“This is something our members of RPTIA have been talking about for a long time. We feel this is the best time to move forward, and we are excited to be working with RVIA to better the park trailer and destination camping industry,” said Dick Grymonprez, chairman of RPTIA and vice president of sales and marketing for Athens Park Homes.

“We are very happy to welcome park trailer manufacturers as RVIA members,” said RVIA President Richard Coon. “We look forward to representing them and firmly believe that we can leverage our association services and programs to help these companies achieve their goals.”

RVIA’s board approved the agreement to have park trailer manufacturers join the association at its March 5 meeting in Palm Springs, Calif. In January, the RPTIA board and membership had a vote to suspend operations contingent upon favorable negotiations and the joint acceptance of a workable plan between RVIA and RPTIA that would result in park trailer manufacturers being allowed to join RVIA as voting members.

The agreement reached calls for a two-year trial period. RPTIA will “safe harbor” or “mothball” its association for these two years, pending an agreement of both parties to continue having RVIA represent park trailer manufacturers. An effective date of when park trailer manufacturers can join RVIA will be determined in the coming weeks.

As conditions of park trailer manufacturers joining RVIA:

• Park trailer members will have two representatives on the board.

• RVIA will form a Park Trailer Committee as one of the association’s standing committees.

• RVIA will continue the Destination Camping Committee and its efforts to study and recommend initiatives to grow this market segment.

• RVIA will hire a full-time senior level staff person who will report to Coon. This person will be responsible for providing guidance, managing information, serving as a spokesperson and representing park trailer manufacturers’ best interests.

• ANSI A119.5 will be recognized and accepted as a park trailer standard and will be maintained by RVIA’s Standards Steering Committee. RVIA inspectors will inspect park trailer plants at least twice per year.

• RVIA will continue efforts to have HUD accept the A119.5 as an exception to the Construction Code.

• RVIA’s Government Affairs Department will represent the legislative interests of recreational park trailer manufacturers at both the state and federal levels.

• Park trailers members will be treated the same in terms of participation at the National RV Trade Show, with the understanding that there are size restrictions.

 

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