RVIA’s California RV Show is Kicking Off Today

RVIA’s 60th Annual California RV Show, kicking off today (Oct. 12) and running through Oct. 21 at the Fairplex in Pomona, will feature increased RV exhibit space and several enhancements to improve the show experience for attendees.

According to a press release, this year’s show will cover 572,100 square feet of exhibit space, well over the 467,000 square feet at the 2011 event. More than 925 RVs will be on display, including 150 RVs available for test drives by interested consumers.

The 60th California RV Show will also offer a number of elements and enhancements to inform entertain and engage attendees, including:

New Show Layout: A new floorplan will be unveiled this year that features one attendee entry point rather than four. A new mock campground and exhibitor tent will greet attendees upon entrance before they move onto the main show floor.

Extended Show Hours: Show hours will be extended by two hours on Fridays and Saturdays with the show open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The later hours will create a night time camping atmosphere with the RVs being displayed with their lights on. Show hours will continue to be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday.

Buy “N” Drive: Also new this year, guests who purchase an RV at the show will be able to take delivery of their RV the very next afternoon rather than needing to wait for a later delivery date. This also limits additional foot traffic in the RV and allows the consumer to begin RVing sooner.

The RV Factory Showcase: Different RV product types will be showcased in this popular area with RV manufacturer representatives on hand to meet with attendees and present product demonstrations showing how RVs work. There will be 12 product demonstrations in the McMahon’s RV Seminar Tent.

California RV Show App: In addition to the show website at www.TheBestRVShow.com, a new app for Apple and Android devices provides a new level of show interactivity. Users can view the RVs that will be on display as well as obtain information on seminars and other show events. The app is available for download at the show website.

Scavenger Hunt: The app will also feature a show scavenger hunt. Users can enjoy taking specific show pictures as directed by their smart phone and win gift cards.

Seminars and Entertainment: The show will once again feature of number of entertainment options to keep attendees amused, including celebrity autograph sessions with off-road racers Jeremy McGrath and Corey Weller at the Eclipse RV display on Saturday, Oct. 13, and appearances by the RV cooking and comedy team of Pat “Mac” Mac and Steve “The Big Cheese” Faverman. RV handyman and author Dave Solberg will offer informative RVing seminars throughout the show.

Affordable Admission Pricing: The daily show admission will remain at $10. Attendees can also purchase a wristband for $15 that provides for admission throughout the 10-day show. Also, military personnel will be admitted at no charge this year.

Daily RV Prizes: Trailer Life, Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. and Temecula RV will be giving away daily prizes inside the exhibitor tent.

 

 

Sponsors Needed for 2nd World RV Conference

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain for the 2nd World RV Conference being hosted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 17–20, 2013.

According to a press release, nine industry companies and organizations have already agreed to sponsor the event, including the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA); Cummins/Onan; Dometic Corp.; Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA); Freightliner Custom Chassis; GE Capital; RVDA of Canada; Thetford Corp.; and Thor Industries Inc.

The 2nd World RV Conference, being held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel, will draw RV industry executives and leaders from around the world.

It will feature an informative conference agenda that provides attendees the opportunity to share market information and statistics, discuss technical issues and standards, and explore how RV companies can work together in an increasingly interconnected world market.

In addition, the conference will also include trips to the FRVTA Florida RV SuperShow and Lazydays RV Super Center.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact RVIA’s Jay Landers at (703) 620-6003 ext. 354 or jlanders@rvia.org.

Louisville Show to Feature Roster of Seminars

The RV industry will gather for the 50th anniversary of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) National RV Trade Show on Nov. 27–29 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

According to a press release, the industry’s premier trade event will feature 61 manufacturers and 215 supplier exhibitors showcasing the latest RV models, innovative new products and RV-related services across more than 712,000 square feet of exhibit space.

More than 8,000 RV industry executives, including RV dealers, warehouse distributors, accessory store owners, campground operators and exhibitor personnel from manufacturer and supplier companies, are expected to attend.

The National RV Trade Show will kick off with RVIA’s popular opening program, Outlook 2013: A Golden Opportunity, taking place from 7:30–9 a.m. in the KEC South Wing Ballroom. This year’s show will also feature a robust seminar schedule designed to help dealer attendees boost sales and increase profitability.

These sessions include:

• “Dealing with Uncertain Market Conditions—Not Knowing What Will Happen Next Puts a Strain on Financial Planning” from Randy Sobel of Sobel & Associates from 12:30–1:30 p.m. on Nov. 27.

• “Measuring and Getting ROI from Social Media” from Dennis Galbraith of DrivingSales.com from 8–9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

• “The Power of 5—The 5 Main Ingredients to a Sale” from Michael Rees of A World of Training from 12:30–1:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.

• “Profit Potential All Around Us—Capitalizing on Business Intelligence for Dealers” with Dennis Galbraith from 3-4 p.m. on Nov. 28.

• “The Wow Factor—Making a Difference for Your Customers” with Michael Rees from 8:00–9:00 a.m. on Nov. 29.

All seminars will take place in South Wing Conference Room C108. The cost for each session is $50 in advance or $60 on-site and includes either breakfast or lunch. For more information, contact Huyen ‘Wen’ Deng in RVIA’s Shows Department at (703) 620-6003, ext. 305 or hdang@rvia.org.

The National RV Trade Show also offers attendees the opportunity to learn about various industry resources available to them.

Industry members can visit the Go RVing booth to learn more about how to tie into the highly successful “AWAY” national advertising campaign at the local level in 2013. Information about RV technician certification and training opportunities is available at the RVIA Education booth.

For more information about the 50th National RV Trade Show, including the availability of show space, call RVIA’s Show Department at (703) 620-6003, ext. 365.

RVIA: August Shipments Climb to 5-Year High

RV wholesale shipments in August surged 15.7% ahead of the same month last year reaching 24,460 units, the strongest August monthly total in five years. Shipments of all towable RVs were up 14.6% but it was motorhomes which grew the most, improving 27.3% over prior year totals. Year-to-date, RV shipments have now improved by 10.5% to 202,305 units and represent an annualized pace of more than 276,600 units. All RV product categories except folding camping trailers have improved this year, with conventional travel trailers growing by the most units while truck campers have grown by the largest percentage gain.

RVIA Scores a Victory in ‘Right to Repair’ Issue

In a significant legislative victory, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) was able to secure an amendment excluding all RVs from a compromise bill negotiated by automotive manufacturers and independent auto mechanics and passed by the Massachusetts legislature in July to address the state’s controversial “Right to Repair” issue.

Despite the passage of the bill, the issue will still go to the voters as a ballot initiative that does not include any of the negotiated language included in the legislative compromise, which came after a deadline to modify or stop the ballot initiative sought by the independent mechanics.

The complicated “Right to Repair” issue, which would force auto manufacturers to give independent auto mechanics in Massachusetts access to repair data and diagnostic codes now available only to franchised dealers, had been proposed and defeated for a number of years. As originally proposed, RVIA said the legislation would have resulted in “dire unintended consequences and irreconcilable issues for the RV industry.”

Because of inability to achieve a legislative compromise, the “Right to Repair” proponents decided to take their case to the public by securing the ballot initiative while still seeking a legislative solution.

With both the ballot initiative and legislative deadlines looming this summer, the two parties finally reached an agreement that included language sought by auto manufacturers to protect intellectual property rights while still making codes available for purchase to facilitate auto repairs at independent repair shops.

During that process, RVIA was able to secure an amendment excluding all motorhomes and RV trailers from inclusion in any of the bill’s provisions. A compromise bill, including RVIA’s amendment, was drafted, passed and signed into law in near record time.

Though too late to stop the ballot initiative, the two sides are now united in their effort to educate the public that they no longer should vote to pass the ballot initiative and they jointly engaged in a communications plan to inform voters that the initiative is no longer necessary.

In the event the ballot initiative does pass, it would supersede the enacted legislation agreed to by both parties and the two sides would have to re-introduce their negotiated bill and get it passed again. Should the bill need to be reintroduced, RVIA will again be involved in the process to protect the RV industry’s interests.

“This was a very complex legislative issue,” said Jay Landers, RVIA’s senior director of government affairs. “The good news is that the two parties are working cooperatively to insure that the negotiated legislative language, which includes the RV exemption, is ultimately adopted.”

Go RVing Debuts ‘Go the Extra Mile’ Campaign

Go RVing has launched its “Go the Extra Mile” voluntary fundraising drive for 2013-2105 with new incentives for participants who wish to supplement the campaign’s new unit assessment funding.

According to a news release, in an appeal sent to industry members, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) President Richard Coon said, “We are wrapping up a very successful first year for Go RVing’s ‘Find Your AWAY’ campaign and already planning for 2013 and beyond. While we recognize the current business climate remains unsettled, we know you share the desire to keep Go RVing’s messaging top-of-mind with consumers.

“With growing and expanding the RV market as our key charge, we encourage you to support the 2013-2015 ‘Go the Extra Mile Program’ to expand the effort’s reach and effectiveness and to demonstrate your company’s enhanced commitment to keeping the Go RVing message strong and prominent in the crowded media space.”

“Go the Extra Mile” donors qualify for various levels of industrywide recognition based on their level of support. Some of the benefits contributors will receive include:

* A special full page ad in RV Business recognizing the campaign’s contributors and their commitment levels.

* Special Recognition for First-Time Contributors. If this is your company’s first time contributing to the Extra Mile program, you will receive special recognition at the National RV Trade Show including a listing in the Outlook 2013 program.

* Special Reserved Table for the Outlook Breakfast at the National RV Trade Show for Pacesetter and Higher Contribution Levels. If your company pledges $25,000 or more, you will receive one reserved table close to the stage for the Outlook program during the National RV Trade Show each year during the three-year campaign.

* On-line Recognition for All Contributors. All contributors will receive special recognition on the RVIA.org website.

The minimum pledge to qualify for recognition benefits is $2,000 over the three-year drive. Companies who pledge to contribute at the highest level — $100,000 or more – are designated “Go the Extra Mile Champions’ and are recognized with special publicity events. Pledge payments can be invoiced in quarterly statements over the three-year period. In order to receive recognition at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Nov. 27 – 29, pledge forms must be received by Oct. 5.

The “Go the Extra Mile Program’ has played in integral role in Go RVing’s success by providing additional income for the industry’s national advertising campaign. Over 16 years, it has raised more than $2.6 million for the effort.

For more information on the program, including specific benefits for the various donation levels, contact RVIA’s Margie Spence at (800) 336-0154, ext. 357 or mspence@rvia.org.

Curtin Expects 8.4% Year-End Shipment Gains

RV shipments are expected to total 273,600 units in 2012, a gain of 8.4% over 2011’s total of 252,300 units and the highest level since 2007, according to the fall quarterly forecast of wholesale RV deliveries to dealers prepared for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) by Richard Curtin of the University of Michigan Consumer Survey Research Center.

Curtin expects RV shipments to edge up in 2013 to 275,000 units, with conventional travel trailers again posting most of the gains.

Indeed, the story of the industry’s gradual resurgence from the global recession is pretty consistent in terms of categorical strengths, with travel trailers posting particularly good numbers in a second quarter that grew 5.7% overall – the best performance, again, in nearly five years and the fifth best quarter ever.

Despite the challenging economy, notes Curtin, the strong appeal of these towable RVs has powered the revival.

“The dominance of conventional and fifth-wheel travel trailers has transformed the industry by acquiring shares from motorhomes and folding campers,” writes Curtin. “For every motorhome shipped, 9.4 travel trailers are expected to be shipped in 2012, nearly double the 4.8 recorded in the last decade, and well above the 2.2 to 1 ratio in the 1990s and the 1.3 to 1 in the 1980s. Folding camping trailers now account for 1 of every 25 RV shipments, down from 1-in-5 in the 1980s and 1990s.”

Curtin, meanwhile, points out in RVIA’s quarterly Roadsigns newsletter what it will take in his view for the weaker product categories to regain more relative strength.

“While the RV segments that are now the weakest will always retain devoted buyers, to regain the old segment shares requires new innovative products that provide consumers with more value for the dollar,” maintains Curtin, reiterating a theme he focused on back at RVIA Committee Week in June. “Winning back customers is never easy. In the absence of robust growth in consumer’s ability to buy, new products must energize their willingness to buy.”

 

 

RVIA Board Seat Elections Kick Off Next Week

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) members will begin voting next week in the elections to select eight representatives from a field of 13 candidates for seats on the association’s board, which holds the highest level of authority in the association’s organizational structure.

The elections begin July 30 with official representatives from RVIA members companies able to cast their votes electronically through Aug. 24. Those elected to serve on the RVIA board will begin their three-year terms on Oct. 1

Six candidates are in the running for five manufacturer seats, including Andy Baer, vice president, sales and marketing, KZRV LP; John Draheim, president and CEO, Fleetwood RV Inc.; Pam Graber, owner and vice president of operations, Open Range RV Co.; Jeff Hanemaayer, co-chairman, Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc.; Dan Shea, president – Towable Division, Gulf Stream Coach Inc.; and, Tim Tiffin, general manager, Tiffin Motorhomes Inc.

Two at-large seats are in contention this year in the election. The four candidates are Garry Enyart, director of RV Business, Cummins Power Generation; Matt Grierson, general manager, Foremost Transport; Jeff Rutherford, president, Carefree of Colorado; and, Tim Stephens, president, Atwood Mobile Products LLC.

The three candidates vying for one supplier seat are Jon Corn, president, RV-ID Inc.; Craig Floyd, national sales manager, Technology Research Corporation (TRC); and, Kevin Phillips, executive vice president, North America, Thetford Corp.

The candidates were selected by RVIA’s Nominating Committee, which is chaired by Matt Miller of Newmar Corp. and includes Norm Jacobson of Lance Camper Manufacturing Corp. and Doug Whyte of Dometic Corp.

 

RVIA Getting Message to Local, National Media

RVIA’s public relations team is working with media nationwide to generate news stories delivering the message that RVing is a fun and affordable way for families to have a great outdoors experience.

According to a press release, RV-related reports have appeared in national and local media, and RVIA has been laying the groundwork for future stories that will appear in high-profile outlets in the months ahead.

Some of the highlights from the summer months:

• National Public Radio aired a story about a reporter’s eight-day trek through Oregon and California in a rented RV.

• ABC World News Tonight broadcast a story about how RVing is becoming more popular with American families. RVIA worked extensively with producers on the story.

• The Associated Press published a story on RVers adapting to fluctuating gas prices. The report includes information from RVIA’s vacation cost comparison study, as well as a mention of new fuel-efficient motorhomes now on the market.

• Financial Times reported on the RV industry’s continued growth in shipments despite a sluggish economy and jittery consumer confidence.

• An MSNBC.com story from a Today Show contributor told how Americans love RVs for the “much-needed, uninterrupted family time.”

In addition to these articles in national outlets, RV stories have appeared in dozens of local media markets. For a more comprehensive look at RV media coverage, please visit RVIA’s online newsroom at www.RVIA.org.

Expanded RVIA Pomona Show Set for October

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) 60th Annual California RV Show, taking place Oct. 12–21 at the Fairplex in Pomona, will feature increased RV exhibit space and several enhancements to improve the show experience for attendees.

This year’s show will cover 523,000 square feet of exhibit space, well over the 467,000 square feet at the 2011 event. More than 925 RVs will be on display, including 150 RVs available for test drives by interested consumers.

The 60th California RV Show will also offer a number of elements and enhancements to inform, entertain and engage attendees, including:

• New Show Layout – A new floorplan will be unveiled this year that features one attendee entry point rather than four. A new mock campground and exhibitor tent will greet attendees upon entrance before they move onto the main show floor.

• Extended Show Hours and Admission Pricing – Show hours will be extended by two hours on Fridays and Saturdays with the show open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The later hours will create a night-time camping atmosphere with the RVs being displayed with their lights on. Show hours will continue to be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday. The daily show admission will remain at $10. Attendees can also purchase a wristband for $15 that provides for admission throughout the 10-day show. Also, military personnel will be admitted at no charge this year following a $4 discount in admission price last year.

• Buy “N” Drive – Also new this year, guests who purchase an RV at the show will be able to take delivery of their RV the very next afternoon rather than needing to wait for a later delivery date. This also limits additional foot traffic in the RV and allows the consumer to begin RVing sooner.

• The RV Factory Showcase – The different RV product types will be showcased in this popular area with RV manufacturer representatives on hand to meet with attendees and present product demonstrations showing how RVs work. There will be 10 product demonstrations in the McMahon’s RV seminar tent.

• California RV Show App – In addition to the show website at www.carvshow.com, a new app for Apple and Android devices will be available in mid-August to provide a new level of show interactivity. Users will be able to view the RVs that will be on display as well as obtain information on seminars and other show events.

• Scavenger Hunt – The app will also feature a show scavenger hunt. Users can enjoy taking specific show pictures as directed by their smart phone and win prizes, including Starbucks gift cards, movie passes and Shell gas cards.

• 60th anniversary celebration – To celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary, special edition cupcakes will be given out free to the first 1,500 customers on opening day.

• Entertainment and seminars – The show will once again feature of number of entertainment options for attendees, including celebrity autograph sessions with off-road racers Jeremy McGrath and Corey Weller at the Eclipse RV display on Oct 13.

• Access to Dr. Phil Show taping – Guests staying at the on-site KOA will be loading up the bus and attending the taping of the Dr. Phil Show on Oct. 18.

• Kids’ Corner – Continued from last year there is a Kids Corner where families can take a break from the show. New this year will be the pumpkin patch where kids can paint their very own pumpkin.

• Daily RV Prizes – Camping World, Roadtrek Motorhomes and Temecula RV will be giving away daily prizes inside the exhibitor tent.

For more information about the California RV Show, visit www.TheBestRVShow.com or “Like” the event on the show’s Facebook page – California RV Show. For any questions, contact Tom Gaither, Western RV show director, or Show Coordinator Gloria Reeder at 818-248-6600.

 

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