Attendance for the 2021 RV Industry Association Aftermarket Conference grew to 219 participants from 204 the last time it was held in 2019. The growth is notable since many Canadian companies that typically attend the conference were unable to make it this year due to COVID-19 border restrictions. Attendance likely would have been at a five-year high if not for the border restrictions.
The 50th annual conference, being held in Atlanta this year, started with a golf tournament and opening reception on Monday evening and will conclude Thursday with a closing reception. In between, hundreds of meetings are occurring between aftermarket suppliers, distributors and rep groups.
On Wednesday, about 80 RV industry business professionals attending the conference participated in a unique afternoon workshop. The 90-minute session was a first of its kind for the conference. Distributors, suppliers, rep groups and dealers discussed the many new RV owners entering the market. Social media influencers, the Wanderprenuers, also participated in the inaugural workshop designed to address the profile of new RV consumers. The couple lent their unique perspective as full-timers to the conversation and took time out of their busy travel schedule to attend the seminar.
John Tinghitella of RV Designer and Bill Baker of RVIA led the workshop by sharing data from the recent IPSOS survey. Professionals participated in a roundtable discussion of three important questions:
How can the aftermarket segment help prepare and educate new RVers before their first trip?
How can the aftermarket keep new RVers active in the lifestyle?
How can the industry tackle the issues of why new RVers are considering leaving the market?
After having fifteen minutes to discuss each question, several tables suggested using and growing the Go RVing platform with instructional and content videos; utilizing social media networks like RVillage to help new RVers connect with one another; and checking in with new purchasers after their first camping trip to ensure a positive experience occurred, while addressing any problems.
The conference will conclude Thursday evening.
In case you missed our coverage of the 2021 RV Aftermarket Awards, you can find that here.
