On March 13 two years ago, the RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) held its inaugural networking event at the Squatter’s Pub in Salt Lake City, Utah. “We thought maybe 100 people would turn out,” said Monika Geraci, RVWA board director and marketing committee chair, “but there was a remarkable reception.”
To commemorate the anniversary, the RVWA on Friday hosted its weekly Coffee, Lunch, and Learn featuring a “State of the RV Women’s Alliance” presentation, sponsored by Truck System Technologies. The Zoom event reflected on RVWA’s growth and outlined its upcoming marketing efforts, campaign and resource centers, which all roll out this spring.
Since 2019, the RVWA has held more than 50 events and led more than 1,100 members from nearly 400 companies to recruit women into the RV industry and develop their skills. More than 70 companies have sponsored RVWA since the organization’s inception.
More than 50 sponsors financed RVWA’s recent Drab to Fab project. Over the past several months, 100 women volunteered to strip a 2007 Crossroads RV Zinger down to its studs and completely renovate it. The RVWA is partnering with the RV Technological Institute (RVTI), which is letting volunteers work in its repair bay. The Drab to Fab reveal will be June 23 at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana, where RVWA will kick off a 60-day sweepstakes to win the renovated RV.
Gold sponsor Airxcel, silver sponsor Patrick Industries, Inc. and bronze sponsors RVTI and Huebner supplied everything inside the renovated RV. RVWA Vice President and Sponsorship Committee Chair Jordyn Foos said, “It is the ultimate work-from-the-road-RV with updated appliances and technology.”
The RVWA filmed those helping with the Drab to Fab project, asking who they are, what they do and why they work in their current jobs. From entry-level positions on the factory floor to C-Suite executives, 10 women’s stories will be used in the new “Why Work Here” campaign.
In conjunction with the campaign, RVWA hopes to launch its online job board by July and have more than 300 job postings listed by the end of the year. On the job board, visitors can post a candidate profile and employers can search for candidates. RVWA is hoping to see 100 people hired into the RV industry this year through the job board and campaign referrals.
Also coming this spring, an online resource center will be available for those with an RVWA ID and website login. Members will have access to developmental materials and an educational content library, which includes videos, training and quarterly education seminars. RVWA is hoping to post 30 Coffee, Lunch & Learn videos, offer 20 training programs and have 500 members complete training this year.
In 2021, the RVWA hopes to increase membership to 1,500 and is including different participation levels. Some members want to participate in local events of mentor others, while some want to “be behind the curtain,” said Jennet Lewis, RVWA membership chair. “Maybe you work at a dealership and you want to connect with other dealers. We are developing multiple platforms that fit the need of the individual.”
RVWA is accepting partner and event sponsors at any level. Everything RVWA does is funded directly by sponsors. The organization is working towards getting $250,000 this year and has $65,000 left to go. Last year, RVWA raised $135,000.
To become a sponsor or partner, email [email protected]
To recruit new members within your company, email [email protected]
To sign up for RVWA’s newsletter, email [email protected]
