Forest River to Host Western Dealers for Look at New Models – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News

As dealers look forward to a potential warm-up of what has been a slow selling period, they can hardly be blamed for being a little excited to see what lies ahead in the next model year.

Forest River’s Western dealers will get just that opportunity as the manufacturer hosts its 13th annual Summertime Factory Dealer Show, Aug. 23-24, at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Ore.

With the exception of Forest River’s pontoon boat division, just about every other vehicle the company produces will be on display, from travel trailers and toy haulers to motorhomes and even some cargo trailers. More than 35 brands and more than 150 units will be on hand, and about half of the models on display will have been produced by Forest River’s Western plants in California and Oregon.

“Our summertime show really builds and enhances relations with the dealers in the West,” Paul Eskritt, a general manager with the company, told RVBusiness. “We want open dialog with our dealers and it’s a chance to have that. It also creates a product venue for dealers in the West who choose not to travel to Indiana.”

All of the comforts and benefits of Open House will still be provided. All meals both days of the show will be provided at the casino and multiple financial vendors will be on site to assist businesses.

This year, Forest River has chartered a 50-foot fishing vessel and plans to take dealers deep-sea fishing off the Oregon coast.

Possibly most important, the smaller crowd gives more one-on-one time for dealer and the manufacturer. This will allow for service and warranty representatives to be on site to provide support and even just answer basic procedural questions in a relaxed setting.

“Most of the event is geared right at the dealership body – what they tell us is important, not what we feel is important,” said Sales Manager Steve Roitstein, who also plans the event. “In a smaller venue like this, we have the time to actually sit down and have a real conversation. Having our parts servicing and warranty people on hand, twice a day we have a scheduled venue for them for the dealers to come in and ask questions. They will be on hand to educate and hear what the dealerships have to say for feedback.”

Roitstein said dealers aren’t just complaining, but typically are seeking advice on how to best make systems work or diagnose issues.

“It’s really a great opportunity to connect with those people who are truly the lifeblood of our relationship,” said Jeff Burian, GM of Forest River in California. “The time we get to spend when we all retreat back to the hotel is really an intimate setting where we get to spend some quality time with people and get to know each other outside of that day-to-day business grind.”

Eskritt said he believes sentiment is positive on the West Coast heading into the show as many dealers have worked hard alongside their manufacturing partners to get older models sold that had been sitting on lots during the slow period that occurred after the COVID boost that started about the middle of 2020.

Many are predicting a turnaround starting in 2024 and are making preparations.

In particular, Burian said Forest River’s California plants have been focused on preparing a new lineup of toy haulers, which will be on display during the Oregon show. He said the lineup takes into account dealer feedback for what they need to see in carrying capacity and holding tank capacity.

Roitstein said the Wildcat line will see significant changes as well. Only travel trailers are produced in Oregon, with fifth wheels coming out of Indiana.

“We’re going to follow suit with the Indiana plants and the success of the Wildcat 1 series,” he said. “We’re launching a new Wildcat 1 out of Oregon, which will be the same great construction that everyone knows about Wildcat but at a lower cost. We’ll be reintroducing the Wildcat Max series with some more of the luxury items people expect out of a full-sized unit.”

Rockwood and Flagstaff also will be making their first West Coast appearance this year, Eskritt said.

Eskritt said the show target not only existing dealers, but also those interested in representing Forest River products in the future. He said the show offers a good opportunity to deepen the dealer base.

Dealers who wish to sign up for the show, but haven’t yet done so, can still do so by reaching out to their individual Forest River representative or contact Roitstein at [email protected].

Source: https://rvbusiness.com/forest-river-to-host-western-dealers-for-look-at-new-models/