The following was shared by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Local.
Niagara Trailers announced that John Petrie has been named the 2026 Ontario RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) RV Dealer of the Year, the highest honor presented by the association to an Ontario RV dealer.
The prestigious award recognizes more than business success. Each year, ORVDA honours an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, earned the respect of industry peers, strengthened their community and made a lasting contribution to Ontario’s RV industry.
Petrie was selected from four nominees put forward by ORVDA members, alongside Kymberlely Clark of Globetrotter RV, Edward Raymond of Leisure Trailer Sales and Ben Hettrick of Smith’s RV Centre.
In presenting the award, ORVDA’s Natalie Conway highlighted Petrie’s decades of leadership, integrity and commitment to customers, employees, industry partners and the Niagara community.
“This year’s recipient reminds us that great leadership isn’t always the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes it’s the person who quietly shows up year after year… the person who leads with integrity, earns trust through action, and never loses sight of the people who made their success possible,” Conway said.
Petrie’s contribution to the RV industry extends well beyond Niagara Trailers. He has served for many years on the ORVDA Board of Directors, including as treasurer, contributed to the association’s Show Committee and continues to serve on the Membership Committee.
His commitment to the Niagara community has been equally significant. Petrie has supported organizations and initiatives including the St. Davids Lions Club, Red Roof Retreat and Project SHARE, while also contributing to numerous charitable organizations and youth initiatives throughout the region.
Under Petrie’s leadership, Niagara Trailers has become one of Canada’s most respected RV dealerships. The dealership has been recognized as Canada’s No. 1 KZ dealer for ten consecutive years and has achieved the distinction of North America’s No. 1 KZ dealer three times over the past decade.
Those accomplishments, however, are rooted in the values that have defined Niagara Trailers since its beginnings.
More than 50 years ago, Doug and Anna Petrie founded the family business on hard work, honesty and family values. As John assumed leadership, he continued that legacy while growing the dealership into a leading RV destination known for customer service, innovation and community commitment.
With Niagara Trailers preparing to celebrate its 55th anniversary in 2027, the Dealer of the Year honour represents a significant milestone for both Petrie and the family business.
In accepting the award, Petrie was quick to credit the people behind Niagara Trailers’ success.
“It is quite an honor to receive this award on behalf of our team at Niagara Trailers They are the ones who really deserve this award. They are the oneswho stand behind our customers and our products and look after the peopleon a day-to-day basis.”
Petrie also expressed his appreciation to ORVDA and his fellow dealers across Ontario.
“I really do appreciate the award very much and I thank our team at Niagara Trailers for their dedication to the dealership, our customers, and RV lifestyle.”
For Petrie, the award is a reflection not only of a career in the RV industry, but of the people and relationships that have shaped Niagara Trailers over more than five decades.
“John has never sought recognition,” Conway noted in presenting the award. “He has simply gone about his work with humility, integrity and agenuine commitment to serving both his customers and our industry.”
The ORVDA Dealer of the Year award is a celebration of that legacy — and of the family, team, customers, industry partners and community that have helped make Niagara Trailers what it is today.
As the 2026 ORVDA RV Dealer of the Year, Petrie will now join the nominees for the RVDA of Canada Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award.
Nominations for the 2026 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award are open until Aug. 31.
