Brett Richardson Named RVDA Director of 
Legal & Regulatory Affairs

The national RV Dealers Association is pleased to announce that Brett Richardson, has joined the association staff as Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs.

In this position, Richardson will assist in keeping members informed about federal, state, and regulatory actions that impact RV dealers. In recent months, RVDA issued member alerts on IRS cash reporting regulations, wage and hour laws, consumer information safeguarding, ‘do-not-call’ rules, and important state and industry issues. Richardson will work closely with RVDA General Counsel Brock Landry of Venable, LLP, to expand the association’s capacity to clearly communicate information about these complex issues to members in a timely manner.

“There is an incredible amount of federal and state regulatory information that RV dealers need to know about,” said RVDA Chairman of the Board Marty Shea of Madison RV Center in Huntsville, AL. “It became clear in recent months that RVDA needed to devote more resources in this area if we are to continue to protect our members’ ability to conduct business in today’s increasingly complex regulatory environment.”

Richardson joins RVDA after representing association clients for five years while in private practice, primarily focusing on regulatory and legislative issues. Prior to working with that firm, Richardson served as a Staff Attorney with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) for three years. Richardson earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and Masters of Business Administration from George Mason University.

Wheeler’s Las Vegas RV Supports RV Learning Center with $100,000 Pledge

Marlene and Andy Wheeler, Wheeler’s Las Vegas RV, Las Vegas, NV, have announced their support of the RVDA Education Foundation’s RV Learning Center with a new contribution of $100,000.

“Five years ago, we pledged $5,000 to the RVDA Education Foundation. We have watched the Board of Directors make excellent financial decisions to protect and grow the assets,” said Marlene Wheeler. “We have measured the level of professional RV training currently being offered through the brilliant initiative of the RV Learning Center. With RVDA’s help, we have grown from a one-acre dirt lot to a mega store with real needs and liabilities. We do not feel this investment is optional, and we cannot think of a better place to invest $100,000 than in training our people.”

Rick Horsey, Chairman of the RVDA Education Foundation stated, “Marlene and Andy Wheeler have supported dealer education efforts both financially and by sharing their extensive experience and understanding of retail and customer service principles. We are so pleased to count them among the Foundation's supporters and greatly appreciate their substantial commitment to this cause.

This contribution is part of an ongoing campaign by the RVDA Education Foundation to support the RV Learning Center. Dealers and their business partners are asked to contribute to the Center, which is dedicated to providing dealers and their employees with new and innovative ways to operate RV dealerships; sharing proven methods and practices; and encouraging the highest professional standards for dealerships of all sizes. RV Learning Center education programs will include distance learning; live workshops; online products; publications; and certification for RV dealership personnel.

For more information on the Foundation’s RV Learning Center, visit www.rvlearningcenter. com, send an e-mail to info@rvda.org, or send a fax to (703) 591-0734.

Seven Elected to RVIA ‘05 Board

RVIA members elected six incumbents and one new member to its Board of Directors during association-wide elections that concluded Aug. 31. Ballots were mailed out to 441 eligible voting members in June and 257 (58 percent) cast their votes.

Incumbents re-elected to three-year terms were: Gregg Fore, president, Dicor Corp. (supplier), Al Ruhl, vice president, Manchester Tank (supplier), Jim Sheldon, special assistant to Chair, Monaco Corp. (at-large), Stan Sunshine, president and CEO, Stag-Parkway (at-large) and Dale Zimmerman, business leader, Sunline Coach (towable). Incumbent Jeff Rutherford, president, Carefree of Colorado, was re-elected to a two-year term (supplier).

Newly elected to the Board for a three-year term was: Rod McSweeney, president, Southern Comfort (conversion vehicle). The RVIA Board of Directors has the highest level of authority in the association’s organizational structure. It is responsible for association affairs on a broad policy basis, including oversight on decisions affecting RVIA’s fiscal structure, resource allocations and other financial matters.

Interior Secretary Norton Visits RV Plant, 
Speaks at FMCA Rally

United States Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton recently attended a series of events in Oregon --including a Monaco plant visit and an appearance at the 72nd FMCA convention in Redmond -- to promote Take Pride in America and learn more about the RV industry and its customers.

On August 19, the Secretary traveled to Oregon where Monaco Chairman Kay Toolson and RVIA President Dave Humphreys were on hand to conduct a tour of the Monaco plant and explain to the Secretary and accompanying media the link between RV sales and the lure of public lands, including those managed by the Department of the Interior.

“These lands belong to the people, not the government, and unfortunately the previous administration essentially uninvited people from federal lands,” Humphreys said during the tour. “Secretary Norton has changed that. RVers are now not only welcome, but she has come up with very innovative ways to make it easier for folks to visit federal lands through (online) reservations and other successful initiatives.”

Humphreys, also chairman of the American Recreation Coalition (ARC), stressed that the entire travel and tourism industry depends on access to public lands for its economic well being.

Secretary Norton told participants that the Bush administration sees the recent growth in RV sales as an indicator of the strength of the economy. “We recognize that much of our economy depends on tourism and recreation,” she said.

“It’s in all of our best interests to do what we can to keep America beautiful, to keep America safe and to keep America as the greatest place to live,” said Toolson.

Norton Addresses FMCA Participants

Following the tour, the Secretary boarded a Monaco motorhome with recreation media representatives and drove the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway through the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests. She arrived at the FMCA convention in Redmond where she addressed the convention’s 6,000 plus participants, asking them to lend hands and hearts to the Take Pride program.

Secretary Norton’s remarks included a discussion of work underway to improve visitor services at our national parks and the investments made towards reducing the parks’ maintenance backlog. She also addressed the newly revitalized Take Pride in America program, which encourages federal, state and local public and private partnerships and volunteer service to protect public parks, recreation areas and cultural resources.

Secretary Norton was accompanied by Marti Allbright, executive director of the Take Pride in America program, Derrick Crandall, president of ARC and Humphreys. Their arrival in Redmond was part of the 2004 Take Pride Western Tour highlighting volunteer efforts on public lands across the west.

“The Secretary and Marti have been working with us all summer on a Western U.S. Take Pride in America Tour, underwritten by Unilever and Monaco and featuring events in Colorado, Utah, California as well as Oregon – and more events are being planned,” said Crandall. One of the goals was to increase volunteer participation on National Public Lands Day.

Industry Gearing Up for 42nd National RV Trade Show

The RV industry is gearing up for yet another record National RV Trade Show at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville from Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, with 687,538 square feet of manufacturer and supplier exhibit space sold. This represents a 2 percent increase in sold space over 2003.

A total of 98 RV, park trailer and chassis manufacturers as well as 304 suppliers will be on hand with a full line of the latest RVs and RV products on display. All supplier booths were sold out before the July 13 drawing at RVIA’s Reston headquarters, which was conducted based on the revised seniority program announced in March ‘04.

“We anticipate another extremely busy National RV Trade Show,” said Show Chairman John Beaver of Thor. “Every available square foot of exhibit space has now been assigned and will provide dealers with virtually every RV product, amenity and component available, not to mention numerous new products that will make their debut.”

Sales and product seminars will also be offered throughout the three-day show.

National RV Trade Show information can be obtained by calling (703) 620-6003, ext. 305 or by visiting RVIA’s website at www.rvia.org.

Outlook ‘05 Breakfast Showcases
Go RVing, PR

RVIA’s 42nd National RV Trade Show will get its traditional kickoff with the Outlook 2005 Breakfast on Tuesday, November 30 at the Executive West Hotel.

RV manufacturers, suppliers and dealers won’t want to miss this highlight event of the 42nd National Trade Show culminating with a multimedia presentation of the industry’s market expansion efforts and how they will impact your business in 2005. Doors will open at 6:15 a.m. with a complimentary sit-down breakfast hosted by RVIA. The program begins at 6:45 a.m.

Hosted by Winnebago’s Bruce Hertzke, the morning’s program will include:

l RVIA President Dave Humphreys’ insights on the state of the RV industry and how RVIA is working to take the industry into a prosperous future.

l A report on the latest results of the Go RVing national advertising campaign by Go RVing Coalition Co-Chairmen Don Walter and Tom Stinnett and RVIA Vice President of Public Relations and Advertising Gary LaBella. Highlights will feature the unveiling of the latest Go RVing consumer video, results of the new communications planning study by Harris Interactive, advances made to maximize leads for the dealer-tie in program and a preview of the strategy for the new ads being produced in 2005.

l Public Relations Committee Chairman B .J. Thompson will join LaBella to highlight the past year’s publicity successes in the face of record fuel prices. The presentation will conclude with the always entertaining “RVTV” video, showcasing the best in broadcast RV news and entertainment hits during 2004.

For more information call (703) 620-6003, ext. 331 or visit RVIA’s website at www.rvia.org.

2nd Qtr. Shipments Outpace Forecast

RV shipments in the second quarter of 2004 totaled 105,600 units, up 21.2 percent from a year ago, and far exceeding Dr. Richard Curtin’s already large projected increase of 15.5 percent, according to the Fall issue of RV Roadsigns.

Dr. Curtin, Director of the Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan and author of RV Roadsigns, expects shipments to total 361,200 units in 2004, up from 320,800 units in 2003, a robust yearly gain of 12.6 percent.

Despite record-high gasoline prices nationwide this summer, June’s RV shipments were the highest for any June since 1977. For the first six months of 2004, shipments totaled 196,200 units compared to 163,500 units during the first half of 2003, up 20 percent. The strong shipment numbers have been spurred by increasing consumer demand for RVs. Retail sales of RVs rose 15.2 percent in the first five months of 2004 compared to the same period last year, according to Statistical Surveys, Inc. RV buyers are still taking advantage of low interest rates to finance their purchases. Interest rates are expected to remain at comparatively low levels through the end of 2004, according to Curtin.

“The strength of sales this spring and summer has demonstrated that regardless of gas price fluctuations, RV ownership is a good value,” explains RVIA President David Humphreys. “Buyers recognize the economic advantages that RV travel delivers over flying; driving a car and staying in a hotel, or taking a cruise. As fuel prices go up, costs for all these travel options rise too, giving RV trips a continued edge on savings. While manufacturers in the United States have been cutting jobs, closing plants and moving production overseas, the RV industry is bucking the trend,” Humphreys noted. “This ‘Made in America’ industry is adding new jobs and building domestic factories to meet consumer demand for RV products.”

Curtin’s Predictions for 2005

Curtin expects shipments to ease somewhat during the year ahead. Total shipments in 2005 are expected to be 332,700, which would still be the second best year in the past quarter century.

The anticipated mild growth pause in 2005, according to Curtin, is due to rising interest rates, slower growth in real after-tax disposable incomes, and sluggish growth in employment.

“This represents a balancing of demand in the otherwise robust upward trend in RV shipments expected over the decade ahead,” says Curtin.

Go RVing Ads Generating Record
Level of Leads

On the strength of an aggressive, cost-efficient media plan, leads stemming from the Go RVing TV, print, radio and online ads have hit an all-time high of 122,443 – already surpassing 2003’s record annual total. In July alone, leads increased 36 percent over July 2003’s exceptional results.