Media Coverage of Breakfast Focuses on ‘Uncertainty’ – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
The Goshen News: Gov. Mike Braun speaks to 1,300 at RV Power Breakfast
ELKHART — Gov. Mike Braun was the keynote speaker at the annual RV Power Breakfast hosted by RV Business Magazine and held at the RV Hall of Fame. At the end of his talk, Braun was joined by several state legislators for a ceremonial signing of the RV manufacturers and dealers franchise bill.
Rick Kessler, editor of RV Business magazine, was the emcee for the event and when he introduced Gov. Braun, he said he’s had a connection with the RV industry through his business, Meyer Distributing, distributing parts and accessories to the RV aftermarket. Kessler said Braun’s public service started as a school board member, then he served as state representative from 2014-2017, elected as senator in 2018 and as governor last year.
Braun shared with attendees his history and his connection to their industry and to Elkhart. He told them he’d also talk about and “give you ease about the place I used to work.” Braun said he first thought of being a doctor, then a lawyer, but decided both took too much schooling. “So, I settled on a business degree and thought I’d work on Wall Street.”
He said those plans changed when he met his wife, who wanted to start her own business and also start a family, so they moved back to his hometown in the Jasper area. He mentioned working at a local kitchen cabinet company where he was told he was a hometown boy with a good education so if he stuck it out, he might run the place in 10-15 years. He said he lasted three years and that company eventually became Masterbrand.
Braun told attendees, “I always cite Elkhart and my hometown — per capita — as two of the most entrepreneurial places in the state and along with being an entrepreneur is having the guts to get through things.”
Click here for the full report by The Goshen News.
WSBT: Potential tariffs and industry future top of list at RV Power Breakfast in Elkhart
ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — The RV industry is watching the state of our economy arguably closer than most.
With tariffs already in play and fears of possible economic slowdown, the industry is acknowledging these uncertain times.
WSBT 22’s First in the Morning anchor Bob Montgomery attended Thursday morning’s RV Power Breakfast at the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart.
He spoke with Indiana Governor Mike Braun (R), a noted national economist, and the movers and shakers in the industry.
The RV industry is preparing for its latest challenge.
Tariffs on key supplies like aluminum and steel and the even larger questions of higher interest rates are yet more hurdles to clear for an industry that’s cleared huge hurdles in the past 25 years.
Governor Braun was the keynote speaker at Thursday morning’s Power Breakfast, just before a bill signing to eliminate some of the regulations between RV makers and dealers.
The governor said the RV industry has a history of preparing for slower times ahead.
“The RV industry is very interest rate sensitive, it’s cyclical, but you find ways to get through it because you know it’s going to happen sooner or later for one reason or another. It’s gotten used to it, and look at it. It’s prospered over the years,” said Gov. Mike Braun.
Click here to read the full report by WSBT.
The Elkhart Truth: RV industry leaders talk growth amid economic uncertainty
ELKHART — The 13th annual RV Industry Power Breakfast on Thursday highlighted the growth of the outdoor industry, despite economic challenges.
“We are at the start of the second quarter of what more and more is looking to be a challenging time for us,” said Rick Kessler, publisher of RVBusiness Magazine, which facilitated the annual event at the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Northern Indiana Event Center.
Negative headlines, tariffs and wavering consumer confidence are among roadblocks, Kessler said. However, RV wholesale shipments were up nearly 14 percent through the first quarter and 11 million new households camped in 2024, he said.
The event featured presentations by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and nationally renowned economist Peter Morici along with virtual comments by U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, U.S. Sen. Todd Young and U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym.
Mayor Rod Roberson noted the resilience of the RV industry despite economic forecasts. He also mentioned the large crowd that showed up to the breakfast. Nearly 1,300 people attended, which Roberson said was another marker of resiliency for the RV industry.
Click here to read the full report by The Elkhart Truth.
WNDU: RV industry gets a pep talk from Gov. Braun at annual Power Breakfast in Elkhart
ELKHART, Ind. (WNDU) – Indiana’s governor and 1,300 others gathered in Elkhart today to discuss the future of the RV industry.
With tariffs in place and layoffs looming, the RV industry’s resilience is being put to the test.
“Our greatest growth came after 9/11. It came in the ‘08, ‘09 commercial real estate and automotive crisis, and then again through COVID , so the RV industry is very interest rate sensitive , it’s cyclical, but you find ways to get through it because you know it’s going to happen sooner or later, for one reason or another,’ said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. “It’s gotten used to it and look at it, it’s prospered over the years.”
The comments came at this year’s edition of the RV Industry Power Breakfast at the RV Hall of Fame.
Click here for the full video report by WNDU.
ABC 57: Governor Braun keynote speaker at RV industry power breakfast Thursday morning
ELKHART,Ind. — The 13th annual RV Power Breakfast had special guest Governor Mike Braun in attendance and talked about his business background. Braun signed a new bill for the RV Industry while discussing the RV tariffs and property taxes within St. Joe County.
Yakym, Young, and Banks all made prerecorded video appearances for the event. Mayor Rod Robinson also gave a speech on his background within the industry and his future outlook for Elkhart.
Click here for the full video report by ABC 57.
