The RV Industry Association‘s 2021 Aftermarket Conference is returning for its 50th anniversary year Aug. 9-12 at the Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. Registration to the event, open to all RVIA members, is now open.
Following last year’s face-to-face conference being cancelled because of COVID, the event returns to its usual form with aftermarket suppliers and distributors meeting during one-on-one “appointment sessions” to pitch new products and review their current offerings.
In addition to networking with colleagues in the industry, attendees will hear from thought leaders on the state of the RV industry. With the latest RVIA economic impact study finding the RV aftermarket contributes 3,187 jobs, $272 million dollars in wages and more than $750 million in total economic output on a yearly basis, RVIA said the event is “the perfect opportunity to develop strategies for expanding the market segment and discuss opportunities for future growth.”
“The conference’s focus is to support a great parts and accessory purchasing experience that will benefit supply chain members and the RV consumer,” RVIA said. “And this year the RV Aftermarket Conference will debut a special 90-minute workshop designed to help members bridge the knowledge gap between the new RV consumers and how aftermarket products are applied.”
With the influx of new customers to the RV lifestyle, the session will focus on three key areas:
Data: Go RVing recently completed an RV Owner Demographic Study that features consumer preferences, purchasing intent and satisfaction. The session will explore the study and offer interpretation on how this effects the aftermarket segment.
Connection: The session will cover how social media can be employed to help suppliers, distributors and dealers connect to consumers on how to use and apply aftermarket products.
Dealer Council Roundtable Discussion: This session will feature live discussion with industry leaders on how to best serve tomorrow’s consumer.
RVIA said it has been working with the conference host, Embassy Suites, to provide a safe and healthy meeting environment. The event will adhere to CDC and state guidelines and attendees will be asked to engage in appropriate physical distancing measures whenever possible; regularly and thoroughly washing or sanitizing their hands throughout the event; and properly using facial coverings. In addition, the RV Industry Association will be providing:
Personal-sized hand sanitizer for all attendees and hand sanitizer stations positioned throughout the conference center
Responsible seating for meeting spaces that can accommodate social distancing
Appropriate signage/floor decals to reinforce spatial distancing and safety reminders
Physical distancing & flow control measures
