42nd Annual TRVA Convention

Event Description

TRVA’s 42^nd Annual Convention and Meeting

For the past 42 years, TRVA members have gathered for one weekend each year to celebrate all the good and positive things about being engaged in one of America’s finest family friendly industries, the Recreational Vehicle industry.

Our various membership segments, dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, service and repair, parks and campgrounds, banking and insurance jointly produce millions of smiles on our customers faces as we collectively provide the means to gather families together as they set out on vacations, retirement trips, tailgating, weekend get-a-ways, family reunions or just to have some plain old fun. It is the high quality RV lifestyle we collectively provide and promote to the consuming public.

Speaking of our membership segments, our theme for 2016 is Membership Matters so it is you, our member, that we celebrate this year. TRVA would not exist without its members for they are the cornerstone on which the association is built. Had the charter members in 1974 not elected to reach into their pockets and create the association by joining, TRVA would not exist today!

 As we gather in Austin, August 12-15, 2016, come enjoy our Member’s combined successes while participating in educational seminars and round-tables, social events to provide some levity and fun to the occasion and network with your peers.

 Don’t miss it, don’t you dare for our convention will not be the same without you because as was stated just a moment ago, Membership Matters and so so you!

 

Who’s Talking at Lunch?

 ▪ Congressman Roger Williams (R-Austin): Congressman Williams is an auto dealership owner and former RV dealership owner who has fond memories of his days selling Airstream trailers. More importantly, the Congressman serves on the very important U.S. Congress Financial Services Committee which oversees the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD. HUD officials have been picking at the RV manufacturing and retailing in recent months so we hope to hear more on the HUD issues from the Congressman. In addition, Congressman Williams is an outspoken opponent to the direct selling of motor vehicles to consumers, i.e., the Tesla issue which is of great concern to Texas RV dealers. Lippert Components, Stephan Lussier, and Interstate National Dealer Services, Vince Manning, are the sponsors of the luncheon.

 ▪ Tony Dupaquier, Director of the Service Group Training Academy, will present Making Millennial Memories - The RV market is exploding with a new generation of millennial customers wanting to make their own memories, in their own way.  Millennials have a different view from tradition.  This includes everything from the technology they use to purchase their RV to their travel and destination experience.  Making Millennial Memories will break down expectations of the millennial customer and what the industry can do to capitalize on this ever growing market. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Teri Coker, is the sponsor of this luncheon.

Who’s Talking to Dealers?

▪ Bill Harbeson, Director of Enforcement, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, will speak on a wide variety of subjects. There is never a dull moment with Mr. Harbeson at the podium whose division is responsible for enforcing all the motor vehicle laws and statutes which govern the RV industry. Service Group Insurance, Stewart Hamilton, is the sponsor of this presentation.

 ▪ Jay Landers, Senior Director of Government Affairs of RVIA, we speak on the need for dealers to become engaged with their local U.S. Congressmen in order to address specific issues which occur on the Federal level of government. American Guardian, Kurt Harbeke, is the sponsor of this presentation.

 ▪ Tammy Linkfield, Executive Director, Recreational Finance at Ally Financial, will again head up a panel discussion on the regulations surrounding the finance side of RV sales. Tammy’s presentation in 2015 led to a resounding “bring her back” from the dealers who attended her panel’s presentation. ARC Representation, Scott Wirkler, is the sponsor of this presentation.

▪ Bill Daniel, Attorney at Law and Partner, McGinnis Lochridge, Austin, and TRVA’s legal counsel, will present his views on the TRVA Legal Manual, current legal issues facing RV dealers and employment issues and practices facing dealerships. Bill grew up in a family auto business in the Rio Grande Valley and has practiced motor vehicle and related finance law for more than 35 years. He is considered and expert in dealings with the OCCC and TxDMV. Meyer Distributing, Rick Sibbet, and Land and Sea, Tony Paigo, are the sponsors of this presentation.

▪ Mark Borskey, Borskey Government Relations, Austin, and TRVA’s government relations professional, will discuss the upcoming Texas Legislative Session and issues facing the RV industry today from both the perspective of the Texas Legislature and the various Texas Governmental Agencies which control facets of the RV industry. South Texas RV SuperSale, LLC, is the sponsor of this presentation.

 

Who’s Talking to RV Parks and Campgrounds?

 ▪ Parks will hear from Mark Douglass, CEO of the nonprofit RVing Accessibility Group, as he returns for another presentation to TRVA member park and campground owner/managers. Previously, Mark spoke on how his nonprofit conducts Compliance audits and reviews of RV parks and campgrounds. He will address this again, but this time add in not only the need to do so, but also how to avoid the rising incidents of “Drive by Litigation” by “Serial Litigants” who have little regard for the negative impact an ADA compliance suit can have on a small business.

 ▪ Marie Howard, a Certified Disaster Instructor and longtime TRVA member, will present a seminar on Disaster Response Preparedness based on the experiences of Paul R. Williams who has worked with the Red Cross around the world.

 ▪ See the Bill Daniel presentation under dealers for information on employment issues.

 ▪ See the Saturday luncheon speaker, Tony Dupaquier, as he will address important issues to parks during his presentation on Making Millennial Memories.

 ▪ Plenty of round-table discussions which RV park members ask for year after year.

What are the Social Events?

▪ Casino Night, our always popular convention social will return with lots of prizes, plenty of food and beverage and loads of fun. Come try your hand at poker, blackjack, shoot craps and spin the roulette wheel. Dealer Resource Group is the sponsor of the Casino Night.

▪ The Golf Outing will be held at the Shadow Glen Course in Austin. Breakfast tacos upon arrival, warm up on the practice range, pair up and have a shotgun start. Prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, longest putt, etc.

▪ A shooting event is in the works, check back details at this juncture as we are awaiting confirmation from the venue. We will announce this event shortly. Ally Financial is the sponsor of the Shooting Venue. 

▪ The Networking Social which was so successful in 2015, it replaced the trade show we had conducted for many years, will return and allow attendees to express their appreciation to our convention sponsors, while enjoying food and beverage, a photo booth and other fun distractions. Afterward, sponsors are encouraged to invite their customers or prospective customers for dinner, drinks or to catch some of the thriving downtown Austin entertainment district venues. TRVA is the host of this event.

▪ Breakfast will be served on both Sunday and Monday mornings to our convention attendees, so don’t go to the hotel restaurant, instead head to the “grab and go” breakfast each morning. Breakfasts are sponsored by Protective, Bill Koster. 

▪ President’s Cocktail Hour and Dinner is the only non-casual social event of the convention where business attire is requested. Enjoy a fine meal prepared by the Sheraton’s head chef and adult beverages while he annual silent and live auction viewing is finalized. Hear President John Crouch comment on his year as president of the association and other announcements. Co-Sponsored by the following firms: NTP-Stag Coast, Will Jarrett, Bank of the West, Tony Singh, and Dometic/Atwood, John Primm. 

▪ Dealer Only Breakfast is planned on Monday morning. Camco Manufacturing, Greg McCool, and Medallion Bank, Aubrey Madsen, are cosponsors of the breakfast.

▪ Annual Membership Meeting, please don’t miss your opportunity to hear reports by all the various membership segments and committees which comprise TRVA and cast your vote for the leadership for 2016-2017.