Awards, Expo, Workshops Highlight Day Two at RVDA – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
[embedded content]
LAS VEGAS – Spirits seemed high Tuesday as dealers swarmed into the RV Dealers Association Convention/Expo area of the Paris Las Vegas. Hosted by the RV Dealers Association (RVDA), RVDA of Canada and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center, the Convention/Expo runs through Friday.
Dealers and staff members sat in on workshops with topics ranging from leadership to driving sales from the service department to a trio of sessions put on by the top Dealership Management Software vendors in the segment.
Awards & Accolades
A lunchtime Spotlight on Excellence ceremony was the scene of several attendees winning awards as well as the annual Dealer Satisfaction Index awards being handed out.
The Society of Certified RV Professionals presented five scholarships to the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. Julie Gillett of Wilkins RV won the parts manager scholarship. Rob Roarke of Wilkins RV won the service writer scholarship. Ryan Mercer of Affinity RV won the parts specialist scholarship. Jonathon Dillow of Walnut Ridge won the warranty administrator scholarship and William Woodall of PPL Motor Homes won the service manager scholarship.
IDS, Lightspeed and Motility also honored top-performing dealers who have improved their Repair Event Cycle Times (RECT) scores. The awards celebrate the achievements and efforts of RV dealerships in reducing RECT time and improving customer service. The winners were recognized during the RVDA’s 2023 RV Dealers Convention Spotlight on Excellence luncheon.
Dealership management software provider Lightspeed, honored the following dealerships with its 2023 RECT Excellence Awards:
- Bish’s RV – Traverse City, MI
- Quietwoods RV Sales & Service – Neenah, WI
- Tulsa RV – Catoosa, OK
- Campbell RV – Sarasota, FL
- TAC RV – Moyock, NC
Dealership management software provider IDS honored the following dealerships with its 2023 RECT Excellence Awards:
- PleasureLand RV – Minneapolis, Minn.
- Bankston Motor Homes –Attalia, Ala.
Also during the awards luncheon, dealer management system software solution provider Motility Software Solutions announced the following award winners:
Trailblazer Award – This award recognizes true pioneers and innovative dealers blazing industry trails. These dealers are true champions of Motility and are on a journey to support their peers in the pursuit of understanding, troubleshooting, and growing their use of Motility Solutions. These continuously adopt new ideas, technologies, and trends.
- Gibs RV, Lisa Larkin
- Krenek RV, Scott & Ryan Krenek
- We Are Airstream, Aaron Korges & Denny Donaldson
Visionary Award – Motility is driven by our nearly 40-year legacy of product innovation and customer service. Our vision for the future is to help dealers transform every aspect of their business to increase profitability, and improve efficiency. This award acknowledges one of Motility’s most forward-thinking dealers.
- Optimum RV, Denver Beck
Synergy Award – This category is for a dealer that crushes complexity at every turn. As one of Motility’s strategic customer advisors they are helping drive Motility into the future. Funtown RV and Motility work hand-in-hand to gain valuable feedback on needs for RECT, but also on our products and services. These dealers demonstrate qualities of leadership and strategic excellence.
- North Trail RV, Alan Erp
- Gerzeny RV World, Matt Gerzeny &/or Ed Davidson
Rising Star Award – Recognizing dealers who stand out from the crowd with efficiency and cost savings using our full suite of products. This dealer has fully implemented all of our solutions and we are recognizing them for seeing the value in tech-driven efficiency and which in turn drives growth in the RV industry.
- Byerly RV, Warren Patton / Sarah Patton
Travis Bromley
During the RVDA of Canada reception, the 2023 George Goodrick Emerging Leader Award was given to Travis Bromley from Transcona Trailer Sales in Winnipeg, Man. The Goodrick award recognizes and encourages early-career professionals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, passion and promise of leadership to the Canadian Recreation Vehicle industry.
Working in his family’s RV business since 2003, in 2016, Travis became actively engaged with the RVDA of Manitoba when he joined the association’s RV Show committee. Four years later, in 2020, Travis assumed the role of chair for the RV Show committee. Travis played a pivotal role in establishing the 2023 Mid-Canada RV and Marine Sale, a merger of two shows designed to reach a broader audience and introduce more individuals to the RV lifestyle. In 2021, Travis expanded his involvement by joining the RVDA of Canada board as the director representing Manitoba.
From left, RVDA Chairman Nathan Hart, Walnut Ridge RV, Alliance RV Co-Founders Coley and Ryan Brady, and RVDA Vice Chairman Ryan Horsey pose as Alliance was honored with a DSI Quality Circle Award.
During evening ceremonies, Dean Taggart of Wilkins RV’s Churchville, N.Y., location was named the recipient of the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship valued at nearly $15,000, which allows the recipient to attend an 18-month Spader Leadership Development Program tuition-free.
“Dean has always expressed an interest in growing as a leader within our organization and this summer received that added responsibility of the service manager position,” said dealership Owner Brian Wilkins. Within this new position, Dean is now stepping outside of the technical box that he has always resided in to learn the people and the administrative side of the business.”
Keynote Presentation
During the afternoon’s opening general session, author and keynote speaker Brian Carter encouraged dealers to keep selling even in difficult times. Carter gave five keys to maintaining growth.
- Build trust
- Engage looking for connections
- Align values
- Seek buy in
- Adapt
From left, RVDA Chairman Nathan Hart, Walnut Ridge RV, East To West RV Co-General Manger Eric Sharp, East To West Product Manager Todd Grubb, and RVDA Vice Chairman Ryan Horsey pose as East To West was honored with a DSI Quality Circle Award.
He said selling to emotions works even in the hardest of times.
“The less people feel, the less they buy,” Carter said. “You can’t outsmart emotion. If you want bigger sales, go for the heart.”
Expo Opens
The Expo floor went on full display after the keynote with more than 150 vendors showing their wares.
Wednesday’s sessions begin early with both U.S. RVDA and RVDA of Canada’s annual meetings preceded by breakfast.
The Expo hall will open at 11 a.m.
The evening will cap off with RVBusiness Magazine’s coveted Top 50 Dealers Awards reception in the Vendome.
Source: https://rvbusiness.com/awards-expo-workshops-highlight-day-two-at-rvda/
