Forest River Inc. announced details for the 16th annual Forest River Product Expo, the company’s premier dealer event showcasing its 2026 lineup of recreational vehicles, pontoons, cargo trailers, trucks, buses and vans.
As one of the RV industry’s most anticipated gatherings, Forest River Expo is both a strategic selling event and a celebration of dealer partnerships, the company said in a release. Aside from its reputation for award-winning food and entertainment, the expo offers a comprehensive showcase of innovative 2026 products, and a chance for key personnel from dealers to connect directly with their Forest River counterparts in sales, service, marketing and more.
This year’s expo is especially meaningful as the first since the passing of company founder Pete Liegl, who launched the event to strengthen dealer relationships, Forest River said.
“We are absolutely juiced about this year’s Expo,” said Doug Gaeddert, president and CEO of Forest River. “Our dealers are like family, and we’re excited to welcome them to our home, do a little work during the day and celebrate each night. It’s our Super Bowl, and this year will be the best ever with amazing new products and fantastic entertainment.”
Dealer Experience & Benefits
Registered dealers receive complimentary hotel accommodations (two nights, one room per location), food and beverages, and shuttle service to and from hotels. Attendees also have direct access to product experts, brand managers, engineering, sales, service, warranty and marketing teams, with educational sessions providing hands-on training designed to help dealers grow their business.
Additionally, Forest River vendors are invited to attend on Thursday, Sept. 25 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Dealers and vendors can register at forestriverinc.com/expo.
Location
The expo will be held at 29861 Old US Hwy 33, Elkhart, Indiana 46516 and will feature nearly 500,000 square feet and more than 500 individual products across all Forest River divisions and brands.
Schedule Highlights
Forest River has a full roster of events during Expo Week, including:
Sunday, Sept. 21
- Forest River Expo Golf Outing (Maplecrest Country Club, Goshen, Indiana): A full field of 144 players will compete in The Forest River Expo golf outing at Maplecrest Country Club, weather permitting. A buffet lunch precedes a 1 p.m. shotgun start in a scramble with prizes, refreshments and an awards presentation after the round. A number of rental club sets will be available for early bookings. To register for the golf outing, visit com/expogolfouting.
- Forest River Expo Influencer Open House: Influencers are provided exclusive access to the entire show space before the show for content creation. Forest River personnel will be on-site to answer questions, participate in interviews and get to know unaffiliated Influencers. Refreshments and beverages will be served during a happy hour from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. To register, please email Jose Estrada at jestrada@forestriverinc.com.
Monday, Sept. 22
- Show hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Customer Service Roundtable: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Marketing Roundtable: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Customer Service Roundtable: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Appetizers: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Dinner: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Entertainment: 8 p.m. – Close
- Canada Night: With a record number of registered Canadian dealers, Forest River is christening Monday as its first Canada Night featuring Canadian recording artist Josh Rosh performing on the main stage, along with Canadian food and other specialties. Recently retired Forest River legend Mike Stump will be on hand as bouncer to ensure all Canadian dealers are off the premises at close.
Tuesday, Sept. 23
- Show hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Electrical Roundtable: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Marketing Roundtable: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Customer Service Roundtable: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Appetizers: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Dinner: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Entertainment: 8 p.m. – Close
Wednesday, Sept. 24
- Show hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Appetizers: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Dinner: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Entertainment: 8 p.m. – Close
Thursday, Sept. 25
- Show hours: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Entertainment
While business is the order of the day, Forest River Expo offers three nights of entertainment and networking opportunities featuring three renowned musical artists:
Monday – Josh Ross
UMG Nashville/Universal Music Canada artist Josh Ross is one of Nashville’s most promising singer-songwriter-performers. Ross pairs a dark, mellow blast of modern country rock with a warm vocal rasp, heart-on-his-sleeve writing and addictive hooks that respect no borders – genre or otherwise. Pulling influence from Guns N’ Roses and Metallica to country-rock outlaw Steve Earle, the former collegiate football player has leveraged his knack for emotional song craft into a series of Platinum-certified Top 5 Canadian country radio hits.
Tuesday – Ernest
Top-selling singer-songwriter, and Nashville’s unpredictable hitmaker ERNEST is “The Charmer”: a triple threat talent who “creates a sound all his own” and one of Music City’s defining artist-writers. The 2X ACM Award nominee (2024), 2X CMA Triple Play Award winner, and 2022 / 2023 Variety Hitmaker fuses influences ranging from Eminem to George Jones, crafting a twist-heavy verse style that’s earned him 11 No. 1 hits as a songwriter and one No. 1 on country radio.
Wednesday – Ashley Cooke
With country artist Ashley Cooke, it’s best to know what you’re getting into — because this emerging star is the definition of more than meets the eye. A graceful exterior matched by a casual-cool nature. Skillfully crafted lyrics and a knack for unforgettable performance. Effortless vocal beauty and a bold sense of internal grit, freely mixing it up with the boys while she rallies the girls. And most important, a passion for capturing the magic between heartbeats, each moment as unique as she is.
“The Forest River Expo exemplifies our commitment to customer experience — not just with 2026 products designed with consumer feedback, but for our dealer partners as well,” said Gaeddert. “It’s a tangible demonstration of our scale, innovation and culture of hospitality that reinforces Forest River’s leadership position in the markets we serve.”
