The second day of RVs Move America Week turned the spotlight on the RV Industry Association (RVIA)’s many committees that are working to make things happen.
For the first time since 2019, industry leaders are gathering in Washington, D.C., for the association’s esteemed event. Today is the final day of committee meetings before Advocacy Day, when leadership meets with Congress to lobby representatives for important RV industry issues.
On Monday, RVIA unveiled its 2022 Economic Impact Numbers and presented its annual awards, given to those who “have made exceptional contributions to the betterment of the RV industry and the association.”
The first award, for Distinguished Achievement in RV Standards, was given to THOR Industries’ Tim Schlabach in honor of his contribution to enhancing industry standards.
Forest River’s Doug Gaeddert was named winner of the association’s National Education Service award, recognizing those who are “instrumental” in developing educational programs for the industry.
The David J. Humphreys RV Industry Unity award was presented jointly by RVIA and the RV Dealers Association (RVDA) to Garry Enyart. The award recognizes those who continuously strive to “encourage multiple constituencies of the RV industry.”
Closing the ceremony was RVIA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service to the RV Industry award, given to the late Kevin Phillips and accepted by Phillips’ wife and children.
“It is with the utmost respect, admiration and affection that we posthumously honor the late Kevin Phillips,” said RVIA Chair Jeff Rutherford. “In his career with Thetford Corporation and Airxcel, he proved to be one of the most knowledgeable and experienced executives in the RV industry, leading both companies to become market leaders.”
Phillips served the association’s board of directors from 2009 to 2018, including executive committee roles as secretary and treasurer.
Other Monday gatherings included meetings for the Go RVing Coalition, which detailed its ongoing efforts to become a “lifestyle brand,” backed by a fresh focus on marketing, the coalition’s new logo and increasing social media presence.
The Emerging Leaders Coalition met to discuss its recent industry-wide volunteer event, a project that brought together hundreds of volunteers to restore Indiana’s Potato Creek State Park. The session highlighted ideas and feedback in to push toward one of the group’s goals of a “self-sustaining” initiative with multiple projects per year.
Tuesday’s events include RVIA’s final committee meetings and Advocacy Day training, along with a THOR-sponsored lunch featuring special guest Bret Baier of Fox News. The night will conclude with the RV Industry Association Chairman’s Dinner, sponsored by Airxcel and Winnebago, at the Georgetown Waterfront.
