Route 66 Finishes Dealer Rally with Network on Solid Footing – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Wednesday was getaway day for those attending the Route 66 Rally at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, but most of the dealers in attendance stayed for one last morning meeting where they were updated on network happenings and given one last challenge to rise above.
Those dealers were treated to an enthusiastic final session that included some details of a number of new programs the network is in the process of putting out to the membership.
Most of all, however, they were offered encouragement from the organization’s leadership.
As the industry nears the end of another year of uncertainty following the boom years of COVID, Route 66 RV Network dealers face the same questions and challenges as others. But they have the network to fall back on and help strengthen their businesses, officials stressed.
“We and our members need to continue to be mobile and agile as we make our way next year,” Co-Founder Steve Francis told the crowd that assembled for the morning meeting. He said the network and its members are able to do just that because they are independent. “The network is in a great position.”
Co-Founder Rob Merrill said members not only benefit from shared best practices and the programs offered through the Route 66 Network, but they also gain strength from the shared culture and values that are necessary to become a part of the network.
“We’ve never had more to offer than we do right now,” he said.
At the end of the meeting, the Larry Coker Commitment Award was presented to David and Amy Stroup of Coastal RV in Carrollton, Va.
The Larry Coker Award basically is Route 66’s dealer of the year award, but also is more of a lifetime achievement award given to those who exemplify the values of the network and support its goals.
According to Coastal’s website, the dealership is a family owned and operated business with the “Coastal Crew” members being an integral part of the daily operation.
The dealership stocks a selection of Forest River products as well as some other name plates.
Merrill praised the Coastal team – members of the network for about 12 years – for being examples of what the Route 66 Network tries to be when it’s at its best. He said the team treats is customers well and offers honest business practices that can be depended upon.
Next year’s Route 66 Rally will be held Oct. 13-15 again at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort.
