RVWA Members Meet, Celebrate Women’s History Month – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
ELKHART, Ind. – About two dozen women — and a couple of men — met Wednesday evening, March 20 at Hotel Elkhart for a networking and social event in celebration of Women’s History Month.
RVWA Board Member Pamela Vandermel said Wednesday’s event was mainly an opportunity for members to gather, socialize and network.
“We poll our members and that’s what they tell us; that they’d like more opportunities to connect and network,” she said.
That’s exactly what the women were enjoying as they mingled and enjoyed the beautiful views of The City of Elkhart from the 9th floor of the Hotel Elkhart. Cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres were provided.
Two women from Alliance RV, both named Danielle, shared what they liked about being an RVWA member.
“I first stumbled upon this at the Camp Out they held last year,” Danielle Leslie said. “Our company sent us and we had a blast! And it’s nice meeting other women who work in the RV industry.”
Danielle Bertelsen agreed, adding, “We met some vendors at the Camp Out, too. I came to the other social event they had here and it’s just nice meeting other women who work in the industry and finding out what they do.”
Shannon Tavernier and Jean Fahy, both with Robert Weed Corporation, also attended. Tavernier said it was her first time at the event. Fahy, who is VP of sales at Robert Weed, said she attended the symposium RVWA held and when this event came up, she invited her whole team but only Shannon was available to attend.
Those two women were visiting with Mary Minix, vice president of Human Resources with Grand Design.
Minix said, “For me, it’s about getting to know people, networking and learning from others.”
She said she’s only worked in the RV industry for three years, so she likes the opportunity RVWA provides to learn from other women in the industry. She shared that she attended the event last March and they were out on the outdoor deck and said it was so hot—a stark difference from Wednesday’s frigid temperatures and biting winds, keeping the event indoors.
Bill Stewart, director of education with RVTIA, shared with this reporter a little about the success of graduates of the two-year program for women—several of whom have gone on to start their own businesses.
RVWA President Susan Carpenter handed out note cards and asked the women to write an encouraging note for survivors of domestic abuse.
A couple of door prizes were awarded to attendees. Board Member Denise Chariya thanked everyone for coming and shared about upcoming events: Tuesday, the 26th from 1-2 pm EST, there will be a virtual panel of members to explore what it means to RISE, in careers and beyond. The next campout is scheduled for May 2-5 at Twin Mills in Howe. Women are encouraged to bring their own RV’s or there will be cabins available. Several fun activities are planned, and food trucks will be on hand. Chariya said if members can’t come for the whole weekend, they’re welcome to come out for a day.
For more information about these events or RVWA, visit their website at www.rvwa.org.
