The tone for the meeting was heralded in by Claire Skinner, RVIA Chairman of the Board, who welcomed the early risers and got them on their feet singing the National Anthem against a backdrop of patriotic and RV scenes on the wide screens around the ballroom. 

Skinner noted; "It has been a tremendous year for the RV industry. So good in fact that, once again, we have maximized the exhibit space at the KFEC to offer attendees the industry’s premier opportunity to see the latest and greatest of today’s RVs and RV products – as well as some glimpses of what tomorrow holds. 

Today we are a growing industry – growing midst a struggling economy. What is very encouraging about this growth is that production at our plants mirrors retail sales at your dealerships, sending strong signals about increasing popularity of our products as well as about the future of our industry. As 2003 draws near, we are very optimistic that the popularity will continue to grow, especially with a brand new wave of Go RVing advertising set to begin in February. You are selling as fast as we can produce." 

Skinner turned the podium over to Dave Humphreys, RVIA President, to kick-off the official program for this years Outlook breakfast meeting. 

Humphreys noted that this was RVIA’s 40th annual get-together, and his 25th. He exclaimed that, "the industry is doing extremely well! We will be up 16-18% this year in an environment that is tragic for many other industries. Working off a $10 billion dollar base, we are poised for even greater growth in 2003. 

“What in the world is going on here? 

“Others in the Travel and Tourism Industry, which we are a part of, are stunned by our ‘blockbuster growth’ as noted recently by Dr. Cook of the U.S. Travel Data Center and quoted in USA Today. 

“Americans are re-evaluating their priorities." 

As witnessed throughout the week in Louisville, the RV industry has what America wants. 

Humphrey also pointed out that Dr. Richard Curtin, Director, Survey of Consumers at the University of Michigan Survey Research Center, is predicting a record year for the RV industry. Curtain will also be authoring the quarterly RVIA industry forecast publication RV Roadsigns, following the retirement of former author and economist, John DeWolf. 

"Many people don’t fully realize how effective and important our industry is to America," said Humphreys, as he turned the program over to Gary Labella and B.J. Thompson for a review of the past year’s public relations activities. 

Thompson said, "It has been an incredible year! Our industry is riding high with significant growth. RVs are enjoying an overwhelmingly positive and widespread presence in the media. Gary and I are delighted to share our industry’s good fortunes this morning with a look at how 2002 has become ‘the year of the RV’ as proclaimed by the media itself.