MC Fireside Chats - July 24th, 2024

MC Fireside Chats

In the latest episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl, the focus was on the RV industry, featuring an engaging panel of guests including Shane Devenish from the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA), Susan Carpenter from the RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA), and Angie Diedrich from the Wisconsin RV Dealers Alliance. Brian opened the show with his signature enthusiasm, highlighting the relevance of this fourth week focused on the RV industry. The conversation began with an introduction of the guests, where Susan Carpenter discussed the RV Women’s Alliance. Susan explained how RVWA supports women in the male-dominated RV industry by offering empowerment, education, and networking opportunities. She mentioned the upcoming Women’s Equality Day event, a collaborative effort between multiple RV organizations, aimed at celebrating and supporting women in the industry. Shane Devenish introduced himself, sharing insights about CRVA’s role in supporting manufacturers and suppliers within Canada’s RV industry. He expressed pride in the association’s support for RVWA during their annual camping and RV show. Shane highlighted the collaborative spirit within the Canadian RV industry, emphasizing how various stakeholders work together for mutual benefit, a stark contrast to his experiences in the U.S. Angie Diedrich then took the spotlight, explaining the unique structure of the Wisconsin RV Dealers Alliance, which was formed to address the lack of regulation and dealer protection within the state. She detailed their primary role in lobbying for legislation that protects dealer rights and supports succession planning for family-owned businesses. Angie proudly announced the recent passage of a dealer protection law in Wisconsin, effective October 1, which mandates a 90-day notice and valid reason before a manufacturer can terminate a dealership agreement. The discussion then shifted to broader industry trends and challenges. Angie shared insights about the changing dynamics within the industry post-COVID, including the entrance of larger dealerships and auto dealers into the RV market. This shift has brought about new challenges and opportunities for smaller, family-owned businesses. Brian and Shane delved into the economic aspects affecting the RV industry. Shane noted the impact of rising interest rates and inflation on manufacturers and consumers. He highlighted the challenges faced during the pandemic, particularly supply chain issues, but also expressed optimism about the future, citing recent interest rate cuts in Canada as a positive development for the industry. The conversation took an interesting turn when Brian speculated about the possible reasons for the variations in RV prices across different states. The panel discussed factors like freight costs, sales tax differences, and regional economic conditions. Shane mentioned the importance of local suppliers for Canadian manufacturers, while Angie discussed Wisconsin’s relatively low sales tax and its impact on RV sales. Towards the end of the show, the panel addressed the challenges faced by new associations like Angie’s in building membership and engaging members. Angie emphasized the importance of demonstrating the value of membership to dealers, especially in terms of legislative protection and support. Brian wrapped up the episode on a positive note, asking each guest to share something they were excited about in the industry. Shane mentioned the upcoming induction of Terry Eligh from Triple E Motorhomes into the RV/MH Hall of Fame, a significant honor for the Canadian RV industry. Susan highlighted the RV Women’s Alliance’s upcoming Women’s Equality Day celebration, a collaborative event bringing together multiple RV organizations to support and celebrate women in the industry. Angie discussed the next legislative goal for her organization, which is to work on sales tax exemption for out-of-state customers, a challenging but important task for Wisconsin dealers. Overall, the episode provided a comprehensive look at the current state of the RV industry, highlighting the challenges, successes, and future directions as seen by industry leaders.