RVAA News Archives


Posted Title
1/9/2012    RVAA Committee Update: Membership Committee

The Membership Committee met on Dec. 12th to review our plan to meet the objectives for 2012. Membership retention, new member education and mentoring, membership recruitment, and additional committee member recruitment are at the top of the list. (more)
11/17/2011    RV AfterMarket Education and Certification Can Improve Everyone’s Bottom Line

The National RV Dealers association has enjoyed a strong relationship with RVAA and there is a true attitude of cooperation between the two organizations. One of the most important examples of this cooperation is in the area of AfterMarket continuing education for RV retailers. (more)
11/17/2011    RVAA’s Ongoing Relationship with the RV Industry

From the very inception of RVAA, our members have worked in conjunction with other industry associations for the betterment of the recreational vehicle industry. (more)
11/17/2011    A look to campground stores for a new distribution channel

Businesses are always looking for new distribution channels. But one place they often overlook is campground stores. (more)
11/2/2011    Get Involved with RVAA Committees

The RVAA Board of Directors has set a goal to get as many RVAA members as possible to join a committee for the 2011/2012 year. There are tremendous initiatives that have been created that will allow RVAA to continue to grow into a stronger and more effective association. However, to accomplish these initiatives we are going to need many more volunteers to serve on committees. (more)
10/19/2011    RVAA Strategic Plan

The RVAA Strategic Plan serves as a guide for our actions as an organization, and allows our Board and Membership with a means to measure our effectiveness in achieving our goals. In early June of 2010, the RVAA Board of Directors met in Elkhart, Indiana to review and revise the organizations Strategic Plan. While the plan has been discussed many times over the years at regular Board Meetings, this was the first meeting that was devoted exclusively to this topic. (more)
10/5/2011    RVAA announces 2011-12 Board of Directors

RVAA's 2011-12 Board of Directors was announced during the Executive Conference in September. Click here for new Board.
10/3/2011    A Short History of RVAA

The idea for an aftermarket association was originally developed by Jim Barker in the late 1960’s in the form of a recommendation for his distributor customers. The notion was carried forward by the distributors of that time including Mobile Home distributors, Jim Kirchner (Diamond Mobile Home Supply), Paul Tweedy (Tweedys Mobile Home Supply), John Meredith (Central Mobile Home Supply), and RV distributors Ted Kaplan (Stag), Dick Kirkland (Kirkland Trailer Sales), and Vern Trabert (Vern Trailer Supply). In 1968, Grayson Schwepfinger (Indiana Trailer Supply) was elected as the first President. Originally, only distributors would meet annually and discuss issues of distributor concern such as what constitutes a true wholesale distributor from retailers and other hot issues of the day. (more)
9/19/2011    From Your New RVAA President, Aaron Engberg

I am very excited and honored to be your next President. Piar Adams set a strong foundation for me and has made it easier for RVAA to continue to improve as an association. The new Board of Directors for the upcoming term is very strong and I will make it our priority to continue to add value to your membership. Communication, member participation, and outreach programs will be a key emphasis. We will also make sure that we continue to add value to the executive conference for all segments of our organization. (more)
9/12/2011    Conference Recap: 2011 RVAA Executive Conference

Where else would you be able to conduct business with your distributor, supplier and agent associates in one venue while enjoying beautiful California? Hyatt Huntington Beach Waterfront Resort hosted their second successful RVAA Executive Conference Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, 2011. The RVAA Aftermarket Association has again provided its members with this very unique opportunity to conduct face to face business meetings with all our aftermarket partners over a three day period. The established 20 minute meeting format has proven successful and allowed our members to meet with and discuss marketing topics, catalogs, new products and strategies for a successful year to come. These meeting were scheduled over two and a half days allowing the opportunity for the suppliers and agents to meet with the distributors. Approximate attendance for this year is over 200 participants from over 100 companies. (more)
9/11/2011    Conference Recap: Report from RVAA Board of Directors Meeting

As is tradition, your RVAA Board of Directors held a board meeting just before the Annual Executive Conference on Monday August 29th. Like all RVAA Board meetings, we first went through the formalities of roll call, the anti-trust reminder, introductions and an agenda review. At this particular board meeting we typically don’t tackle difficult, time consuming topics, but rather focus on the Conference and financials. After reviewing the financials through the previous month and discussing the financial expectations of the Conference, we usually run through the Conference agenda one last time. We also discuss any issues that may have arisen since our arrival at the Conference property. (more)
9/10/2011    Conference Recap: Manufacturer’s Agent Segment Luncheon

The Manufacturer’s Agent Segment Luncheon was held on Wednesday, August 31st during the RVAA Conference in Huntington Beach, California. The luncheon was attended by twenty representatives of member Agent firms. The purpose of this event is to provide RVAA’s Agent Members an opportunity to meet as a group to discuss relevant topics affecting agents within RVAA. Three topics were discussed during the meeting portion of the luncheon. (more)
9/9/2011    Conference Recap: Warehouse Distributor Segment Lunch

The Segment Lunches held during the RVAA Executive Conference are intended to provide an open forum for the membership groups to discuss relevant topics affecting their businesses. Over the past several years the list of topics that the Wholesale Distributor Segment focused on were best practices, aftermarket statistics and helping the aftermarket grow. With one exception, the 2011 discussions didn’t stray too far from those topics again. This year the question of whether the membership would support a market research study focused on consumer behavior as it relates specifically to the purchase of RV aftermarket products was also discussed. (more)
9/8/2011    Conference Recap: Supplier Segment Lunch

The RVAA supplier Segment Luncheon started with a delicious meal of chicken, ribs, corn on the cob and potatoes. Conversation quickly turned to the agenda forms found on the tables. Most suppliers were in favor of the Standard Price Sheet, however concerns were raised over whether distributors would accept the form and it was brought to our attention that the RVAA Board had not yet discussed acceptance of the revised form. All agreed that that the acceptance of the revised form would need to start with the Board. (more)
9/8/2011    RVAA Executive Conference focus of RV Pro article

RV Pro takes a look at RVAA's recent Executive Conference. According to the article, new members say the value of the conference alone is enough incentive to join RVAA. Click here to read complete article.
9/1/2011    RVAA Conference Committee merges into Marketing Committee

The RVAA Board of Directors voted to merge the Conference Committee into the Marketing Committee at their June strategic planning meeting in Keystone, Colorado. Click here for details.
8/30/2011    Announcing RVAA Universal Price List 2.0 – new and improved for 2011

This easy-to-use spreadsheet gives suppliers a convenient way to send product info, prices, price changes and even info on new to products to all distributors in the same format. For distributors it means product information from all suppliers will be in the same format. Click here for details.
8/11/2011    Kings of the road? Motor homes smaller, less flashy

According to an article in USA TODAY, RVs are getting smaller and, "The era of bigger-is-better and more ostentatious is over." Click here to read.
8/10/2011    Making the most of your time in Huntington Beach, CA

While spending time in Huntington Beach, the array of leisure time activities is really endless! Depending on your desire to seek adventure, fun in the sun or just squeeze in some much needed R & R…Huntington Beach truly has something for everyone! (more)
8/6/2011    How to Have a Meaningful Business Meeting in 20 Minutes

I’m sure we have all been in business meetings that have lasted way too long. Personally I’ve been in some that have lasted over 6 hours, and I’m sure some of you could easily beat that number. On the other end of the spectrum we have the 20 minute meetings that take place during RVAA. Although 20 minutes seems very short and 6+ hours seem very long, the real measure of any meeting is “did we get done what we needed to do”? (more)
7/14/2011    IMPORTANT EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE INFORMATION!

Registration deadline for the RVAA Executive Conference - taking place August 30 - September 2 - is Friday, July 15! To secure your appointments, you need to register now! For registration link and information please contact Meg Pawelski, e-mail mpawelski@rvaahq.org or Laura Hallen, e-mail lhallen@rvaahq.org.
7/8/2011    RVAA releases first issue of RVAA E-Newsletter

RVAA's monthly e-newsletter publication will keep you apprised of the “goings on” within RVAA. You’ll see various messages from the president, or other Executive Committee members, along with Committee updates and other relevant information in a short, quick-read format.
7/7/2011    Welcome from the President - The Times, They Are a Changin’

What an appropriate statement for the business climate we all find ourselves in. We have seen changes in customers, customer behavior and buying patterns, and certainly major changes throughout the entire RV Industry. We have also seen some changes within RVAA. Change can be difficult, for sure, but it can produce positive results for those that embrace it. The very newsletter you are reading is new, and represtns change. The purpose of this monthly publication is to keep you apprised of the “goings on” within RVAA. You’ll see various messages from me, or other Executive Committee members, along with Committee updates and other relevant information in a short, quick-read format.
5/18/2011    RVAA membership approves change to Affiliate Member Category

Through a vote by the membership, the Recreational Vehicle Aftermarket Association (RVAA) has changed its Affiliate member category to a new category called Service member. Click here for details.
5/16/2011    Recreational Vehicle Aftermarket Association selects new management company

RVAA is pleased to announce and introduce Landon, Farrey & Associates (LF&A) as its new association management company.  Residing in Naperville, IL, LF&A brings a wealth of knowledge and association management experience to RVAA. Click here for details.
1/30/2011    Committee Update - January 2011 - (.pdf)

1/30/2011    Marketing Committee Encourages Use of Price File - January 2011 - (.pdf)

1/29/2011    Communicator Returns in February - January 2011 - (.pdf)

12/6/2010    RVAA Addesses RVDA Board - Dec 2010 - (.pdf)

12/1/2010    Older Entries

For the RVAA News Archive of older entries, please click the link above.
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