RV News On Line - The Voice of the RV Industry


November 2004		Volume 30 - Number 4

RV Industry News

Association News

Attendance at RV Dealers International Convention/Expo Sets Record

2005 Convention featuring RV Learning Center Returns to Rio All-Suite Casino Resort

A record number of RV industry professionals attended the 2004 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo featuring the RV Learning Center in Las Vegas, NV, at the Rio All-Suite Casino Resort. The total number of attendees of 1,765 was up 6 percent from a year ago and included 859 RV dealers and their employees from across the U.S. and Canada. The annual event is co-sponsored by RVDA of America and RVDA of Canada.

The Convention/Expo featured more than 60 live workshops organized by the RV Learning Center, a growing resource for RV dealership continuing education efforts. RVDA of America's outgoing Chairman of the Board, Marty Shea of Madison RV Center in Huntsville, AL, said "I think one thing that many of us here share is optimism. We are backing up our optimism for the future with our investment in people and facilities that will keep this industry rolling."

"RVDA of Canada is pleased to be a contributor and participant in the RV Learning Center’s work to provide continuing education," said RVDA of Canada President Derrick Dobson, of Leisure Time RV, in Saint John, NB. "Information that can help serve RV customers better knows no boundaries and we are pleased to be part of this program."

RVDA Education Foundation Chairman Rick Horsey of Parkview RV Center in Smyrna, DE, told attendees, "The RV Learning Center is a true industry-wide effort to improve the knowledge and skills, and therefore the professionalism, of RV dealers and RV dealership employees. The convention’s live workshops are only part of the education resources available. The RV Learning Center works with our industry trainers to provide more training opportunities throughout the year."

RVDA of America President Mike Molino told members that convention attendance illustrates the overall health of the association. "As happy as I am with our past, I am even more ‘pumped’ about where RVDA is positioned for the future," he said. "Thirty-nine percent of the dealer people attending the convention were not here last year, which is a tremendous indicator of freshness and future growth."

RV retailers from across the U.S. and Canada have already marked their calendars for the 2005 Convention/Expo, Sept. 27-30, at The Rio All-Suite Casino Resort with the RVDA Education Foundation golf tournament on Sept. 26.

Exhibit space for the 2004 RV Dealers Convention/Expo featuring the RV Learning Center sold out. Companies interested in RV Learning Center partnership opportunities or 2005 exhibitor information can contact RVDA at (703) 591-7130 or send an e-mail to info@rvda.org. Visit www.rvda.org for regular updates about the convention.

Five Receive National RVDA Chairman’s Service Award

Retiring national RV Dealers Association Chairman Marty Shea of Madison RV Center, honored five individuals Sept. 23 for their service to the association with RVDA Chairman’s Service Awards.

Bert Alanko of MBA Insurance in Scottsdale, AZ, received the award for his long-standing commitment to serving dealers and RV rental companies. Alanko is a founding member of the RV Rental Association (RVRA), serves on the RVDA Board of Directors as RVRA Chairman, and works to increase the visibility of the RV rental business both within the industry and to the general public. "Bert is the association's all time membership recruiter and he has been an important member of the RVDA Board of Directors since the early 90’s as the RV Rental Association Chairman," said Shea.

Jerry Greer of Jerry Greer RV in Columbus, OH, was honored as a former chairman of the RVDA Board of Directors and the first chairman of the RVDA Education Foundation Board of Directors. "Since handing the baton to current Foundation Chairman Rick Horsey, Jerry continues to serve on the Foundation Board of Directors providing his advice and counsel to volunteer leaders and staff," Shea said. "We deeply appreciate his continued involvement in continuing education programs."

Tim Wegge of Burlington RV Superstore in Burlington, WI, received the award for being the driving force behind the Partners in Progress (PIP) meetings at the RV Dealers International Convention/Expo. The meetings, called by dealers, serve as a forum for face-to-face discussions with top RV manufacturers. "Tim is one of the most passionate and thoughtful advocates for those of us selling RVs that I know," Shea said. Wegge served on the RVDA Board of Directors and is currently an at-large delegate of RVDA’s Board of Delegates.

Marlene and Andy Wheeler of Wheeler’s Las Vegas RV, Las Vegas, NV, were honored for their tremendous support of the RV business locally and nationally. "Marlene and Andy continue to give tremendous support to RVDA and the RV Learning Center," said Shea, "Wheeler’s Las Vegas RV is now the largest dealer contributor to the RV Learning Center with a new $100,000 pledge." Marlene Wheeler also serves as an at-large delegate on the RVDA Board of Delegates.

Camping Time RV Named 2004 Top Quality Dealer of the Year

Past RVDA Chairman of the Board Marty Shea presents the 2004 Top Quality Dealer of the Year Award to Martin Zonnenberg of Camping Time RV and his wife, Linda.

Camping Time RV, with locations in Snellville, Oakwood, and Woodstock, GA, was named RVDA’s 2004 Top Quality Dealer of the Year in September during the RVDA Annual Meet-ing held in conjunction with the RV Dealers International Convention/Expo in Las Vegas, NV. RVDA Past Chairman Marty Shea recognized Camping Time President Martin Zonneberg for the achievement.

Martin and Linda Zonnenberg founded Camping Time RV in 1986 in Oakwood. Vice President Mark Derrick joined the company in 1996 as general manager and became a part owner in 1997. The growth of the suburban Atlanta RV market led to expansion, with a location opening in Snellville in 1998. In 2003, the dealership added a third full-service facility in Woodstock.

"We are successful because of our core values -- a belief in honesty, doing the right thing, and treating our customers the way we want to be treated," Zonnenberg said. "We have grown our business through repeat and referral customers. We also hire quality employees and take very good care of them." Zonnenberg said improvements at Camping Time RV are ongoing, with a new, state-of-the-art facility currently under construction at the Oakwood location. Zonnenberg is active in the RVDA/Spader 20 Group program, the Georgia RV Dealers Association, and served on the RVDA Board of Directors.

The Top Quality Dealer of the Year Award recognizes RV dealerships that, through their professionalism, promote a positive image of RV travel, RV dealers, and the RV industry at large. Any RVDA member who owns and operates a full-service RV dealership is eligible to be nominated. Judging for the award focuses on customer satisfaction, sales, financial status, facilities, association and community service, and responsiveness to adversity. Past recipients of the award select the national Top Quality Dealer and four regional Top Quality Dealers.

Regional Top Quality Dealers for 2004 are:

East Region – All Seasons RV, Streetsboro, OH.
Midwest Region – Capital R.V. Center, with locations in Bismarck and Minot, ND.
South Region – Leisure Tyme RV with locations in Mary Ester and Pensacola, FL.
West Region – All Seasons RV, Yuba City, CA.