The following was reported by WNDU-TV, the NBC affiliate in South Bend, Indiana.
Nearly 100 RV owners are gathered at Twin Mills Campground in Howe for the return of the Lippert Getaway Rally, a customer event that has been on pause since 2023.
The four-day event includes live entertainment, factory tours and an opportunity for RV owners to connect with the people who build their rigs.
Lucy Seijas, an RV owner attending the rally, said the two-year gap had an impact on participants.
“It’s been a loss of community I think a little bit over the past two years since they’ve not had a rally, so to bring it back this year even though it’s a bit smaller is phenomenal. I’m just so happy,” Seijas said.
Fellow RV owner Grace Bouchard said the Howe location adds value for attendees.
“It’s actually really nice to have it here because it kind of brings the community to where everything is at… you’re able to be able to tour some of the facilities that they have here, see how the rigs are being built, different things the components being manufactured, really getting that connection point to see what these units are built,” Bouchard said.
For Lippert, the event serves as a direct line to its customers. Jarod Lippert, the company’s chief marketing officer, said the rally is one of the few opportunities the company has to hear from end users.
“We don’t get a lot of chance to talk to the end user. This is the best opportunity we have to actually talk to the people actually using the product we get a ton of feedback. We help with service, and it’s just really a way to build that community between us and the actual people that are buying the RVs,” Lippert said.
RV owner Randi Gleason said the event draws people from varied backgrounds around a shared interest.
“People with different background come together with one common thing and that’s just connecting, being out in nature, having fun,” Gleason said.
Don Seijas, another RV owner at the rally, said the return of the event is a chance to reconnect.
“Just have a good time… you know and don’t stress about stuff because life goes on… just have a good time,” he said.
The Getaway event runs through Sunday. Lippert said it expects visitors from multiple states, boosting tourism in the region.
