Keynote, Awards, Expo Launch RVDA Convention in Vegas – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Kevin Brown delivered what a keynote speech should be Tuesday afternoon at the RV Dealers Convention/Expo at Paris Las Vegas.
Far from the typical cross between standup comedy and motivational talk you might expect, Brown gave a heartfelt, personal message about how true heroes in life set themselves aside to make a difference in the lives of others.
He said a dealer who excels at delivering the kind of memories consumers are looking for with RVs can make that kind of difference.
“Heroes are extraordinary people who choose not to be ordinary,” said the author of “Unleashing Your Hero.” “You have no idea the power of one moment in time. Don’t ever underestimate the power you have to change someone’s life.”
In encouraging dealers to excel on a personal level, Brown told the story of raising his autistic son and the difference one Disney World employee made in the boy’s life at a young age.
The two stayed in touch via email over the years and after the boy graduated from high school and attended college – things doctors told the Browns he would never be able to accomplish – the family made another trip to Orlando, Fla., where “Aunt B” still worked for Disney.
Brown credited his wife and Aunt B with changing his son’s life and encouraged dealers not to take those kinds of connections with their customers for granted.
“We miss most of those moments where we can connect,” he said. “There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. That’s when your competition steps in and cleans your clock.”
He said instead of just selling a product, dealers should paint a picture of what life will be like for the customer if they choose to do business with them.
On to the Expo
Following the general session, dealers adjourned to the Expo hall to renew acquaintances with vendors in attendance.
Several dealers who spoke to RVBusiness earlier in the day indicated they were eager to talk with lenders to see what prospects looked like for the coming months.
Jeff Olander, senior vice president of business development for Northpoint Commercial Finance, said early business was brisk at the company’s booth.
“We are absolutely looking forward to talking to our customers as well as any other dealers who are looking for financing,” he said.
Rick Derbonne and Greg Nash of Red Oak also found themselves talking with a number of dealers shortly after the Expo doors opened.
“We are one of the few lenders who are a non-bank entity,” Nash said. “We are able to come up with some more creative solutions to dealers’ needs. We answer the phone and figure out how to accommodate and formulate the right solutions.”
Awards Luncheon
Also on Tuesday, RV industry members gathered to celebrate the accomplishment of their peers Tuesday at Paris Las Vegas during the RV Dealers Convention/Expo.
Top dealers, vendors and manufacturers took home honors during the event a day before RVBusiness honors its Top 50 Dealers on Wednesday evening.
Many of the awards reflected RVDA and the RV Industry Association’s efforts to deliver a world-class experience for RV travelers by improving service departments’ performance in relation to repair event cycle time.
In addition, the Dealer Satisfaction Index Quality Circle Awards were handed out.
Those honored during the even were:
- Society of Certified RV Professionals Outstanding Certified Fixed Operations Professionals scholarship winners – William Bouchard (also recognized for being named RVTI RV Technician of the Year), Amelia McBryde, Jerry Ross, Jeffrey Pintado, Stephen Williams (Ken Walters, of Jayco, and Frank Tamburrini, of IDS, provided gifts for scholarship winners.)
- RVIA National Service Award – April Klein-Carroll, Lippert Components
- National Education Service Award – Don Clark, Grand Design
- IDS Top Performers in Repair Event Cycle Time (RECT) – Luxury RVs of Mesa, Ariz.; Hitch RV, Boyertown, Pa.; White Horse RV Center, Williamstown, N.J.; Hilltop Camper & RV, Fridley, Minn.
- Lightspeed’s Top Performers in (RECT) – Vacationland, Illinois; Tulsa RV, Oklahoma; Bish’s RV, Omaha, Neb.; RV Supercenter, Menifee, Calif.; Outlet Recreation, Clearwater, Minn.
- Lightspeed RV Innovator of the Year – Forest River Inc.
- Motility Trailblazer Award – Bell Camper Sales
- Motility Visionary Awards – Gibs RV Inc., Campers Inn, Parkview RV Center, Optimum RV
- Motility Rising Star Award – Krenek RV Center
- DSI Quality Circle Awards – Airstream Motorhomes & Towables; Alliance RV’s Avenue, Paradigm, Valor and Delta; Brinkley RV Models G and Z; Coachmen Apex and Spirit travel trailers; Coachmen Galleria, Beyond and Nova Class B’s; Cruiser Avenir, Shadow Cruiser, MPG, Stryker and Essence; Dynamax; East to West Aliva and Entrada motorhomes; East to West travel trailers and fifth-wheels; Entegra; Forest River Class C’s; Forest River Flagstaff, Rockwood, Palomino, Columbus, Puma, Wildcat and Cardinal; Grand Design Imagine, Momentum, Reflection, Solitude and Transcend; inTech Flyer, Luna and Sol; Jayco motorhomes and towables; Keystone Cougar, Hideout, Montana, High Country, Springdale and Residence; K-Z Connect, Durango, Sportsmen and Venom; Leisure Travel Vans Triple E; Pleasureway; Shasta travel trailers; Venture SportTrek, SportTrek Touring and Stratus; Winnebago Class B’s and Class C’s.
