The RV Industry Association wrapped its annual National RV Trade Show forecasting growth, and innovative product launches, as the show saw more than 7,500 RV sellers and attendees – a 2 percent gain over the prior show year.
“Annual events, like this show, which gather the entire RV community are important for the overall health and vitality of the industry,” said Liz Crawford, RVIA senior VP of trade shows and events. “However, this event has experienced flat, if not declining attendance for many years, which isn’t that unusual in a mature market where consolidation is occurring. That said, we added more events to the 2017 show, which created more value for our key stakeholders of OEMs, suppliers, aftermarket, dealers, campgrounds and media. This year’s new features were the first steps to a reimagined industry event. As a team, we are excited about what the future will bring.”
Attendees spent hours at educational sessions designed to showcase product innovation, and offer marketing, sales, technician and service training. RV sellers were able to gain tangible ways to merchandise, innovate and introduce new products in their dealership, as well as address the consumer market.
The first annual “Top Tech Challenge” pitted experienced service techs against each other to determine the Top Tech of the year. Congratulations to Brandon Galbreath of D&N RV Service in Joppa, Ala., for winning the $10,000 prize and the title of Top Tech.
During the Outlook 2018 Breakfast, RVIA announced recipients of the first annual “40 Under 40” awards. The 40 individuals, who represent current and future leaders in the RV Industry and are under 40 years of age, received recognition from the more than 1,000 attendees at the event.
The inaugural RV Industry Awards welcomed everyone for an evening of celebration and acknowledgement.
Congratulations to the following:
- RVDA DSI Quality Circle Awards (in alphabetical order): Airstream, Forest River (XLR), Grand Design (Imagine, Momentum, Reflection, Solitude), Gulf Stream Coach (Vintage Cruiser/Vista Cruiser), Heartland RV (North Trail/Wilderness), Keystone RV (Cougar/X-lite, Springdale/Summerland/Residence), KZ-RV (Spree/Spree Connect/Spree Escape), Lance Camper Manufacturing (travel trailers/toy haulers, truck campers), Leisure Travel Vans/Triple E, and Livin’ Lite RV, Newmar, Pleasure-Way Industries, and Tiffin Motorhomes.
- RVDA Titan Award: Bob Tiffin, Tiffin Motorhomes
- RVIA David J. Humphreys RV Industry Unity Award: Brian Wilkins, Wilkins RV
- RVIA Distinguished Service to the Industry Award: Derald Bontrager, Jayco
