INDIANAPOLIS – Jayco was in a celebratory mood Monday night, as the manufacturer met with its dealers to commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary, honor its top dealers, and share some laughs with magician and comedian Justin Willman at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
Scroll down for photos of the event.
After a day spent unveiling the 2019 Jayco models, it was time to remember the company’s foundation and look toward the future.
“This is the next chapter in Jayco’s long history,” said COO Matt Thompson. “And it’s going to be filled with your success stories and you’re the characters in the next chapter. I think we can all agree our industry is moving faster than an Indy car coming out of Turn 4 in the 500 and our consumers’ expectations are moving even faster.”
President Derald Bontrager reminisced about his father’s founding of the company, noting that the original similar annual gathering was held in 1969 as a potluck carry-in dinner that was held with the staff and some of the early Jayco dealers.
“I continue to believe the future is bright for the RV industry,” he said. “We continue to see the average age of the RV consumer continue to decline. This is encouraging for the future of our industry.”
Following the annual dinner, Jayco presented the annual Founders Award, given to the Jayco dealer that represents the company’s ideals and is loyal to the Jayco brand. This year’s award went to Town & Country RV Center in Clyde, Ohio.
Also awarded were the top five dealers in volume. In the motorized category, those honored were:
- Dixie RV Superstores
- Richardson’s RV Center
- Tampa RV
- Albany RV
- Orlando RV
For towables, winners were:
- Albany RV
- Crestview RV Center
- Pete’s RV Center
- Bish’s RV
- Broadmoor RV
- Camping World of Oklahoma City
- Sicard RV
- Camping World of Longmont, Colo.
- Stout’s RV Center
- Orlando RV
Top dealers per category were:
- Class A – Tampa RV
- Class C – Dixie RV Superstores
- Camping Trailer – Trailside RV Center
- Travel Trailer – Crestview RV
- Toy Hauler – Bish’s RV
- Fifth Wheel – Albany RV
- Overall – Albany RV
Dealers also were honored for longevity carrying Jayco products:
- Honored for 40 years were Camping World of Draper, Utah; General RV Center of White Lake, Mich.; Gillette’s Interstate RV; Hartville RV Center and Willie’s RV.
- Honored for 30 years were Beilstein’s RV & Auto; Dale Smith’s Camper Sales; Glenwood RV Centre; Irvine Camper Sales; Johnston RV Country of Palmyra, N.Y.; and Johnston RV Country of Webster, N.Y.
- Honored for 25 years were Crestview RV Superstore, Hayes RV Center, Huffy’s Trailer Sales, Leisureland RV, Rhone’s Travel Trailer and WES Trailer Sales.
- Honored for 20 years were Big Boy’s Toys, Hamilton’s RV Outlet and Happy Trails RV.
- Honored for 15 years were Bish’s RV, Bonanza, Haylett Auto & RV, Homestead RV Center, Johnson RV Sales, Powersports & RV Canada, Quality RV, Southaven RV Center and Ted’s RV Land.
- Honored for 10 years were Baydo’s; Camping World of Bakersfield, Calif.; Clear Creek RV Center; Fraserway RV; General RV Center of Mount Clemens, Mich.; General RV Center of Wixom, Mich.; Kostner; Orlando RV; Porter’s RV; Silk Road RV; and World Wide RV.
- Honored for five years were Anglo American Truck & Trailer; Camping World of Fresno, Calif.; Camping World of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; Camping World of Hendersonville, N.C.; Camping World of Lake Park, Ga.; Caravan Horizon; Chesapeake RV Solutions; Colerain RV; Garick RV; International RV World; Mountain Grove Ford; RV Station; Sea Eagles Trading; Southern Recreational Vehicles; Tampa RV; and Wehr RV.
