A positive attitude is radiating like the Florida sunshine at the Keller Marine & RV Accessory Show in Clearwater, Florida.
Keller Marine & RV President Mike Keller said dealers exhibited a positive outlook as they gathered on the first day of the aftermarket distributor show, which began at 1 p.m. Eastern time Monday.
Keller Director of Marketing Lori Morrow said dealers “gain energy from each other and talking about different ideas.”
The distributor, along with suppliers filling 150 booths, have gathered to support the approximately 200-300 dealer attendees.
Keller has bestowed consumer patterns and applications during the show. The event’s focus is on consumer insights and how to best sell and explain products. Keller said, “The consumer does not think in terms of mechanics, they think in terms of results.”
He said, for example, consumers may not be concerned with how a hair dryer works, they just want to ensure that it works.
The distributor provided educational speakers, Kevin and Patrice McCabe of the RV lifestyle TV program “RV There Yet,” Mike Sokol, electricity trainer and consultant, and Furrion’s Keith Kames.
Sokol presented SoftStartRV technology, while Kames demonstrated Furrion’s 18,000 BTU air conditioner.
Morrow said that having speakers such as “RV There Yet” is important to understand and engage the younger generation.
Keller said walking away from the dealership and assessing consumer needs is important.
“Sometimes when you walk away from the forest, you see the trees,” he said, “and I think it gives them (dealers) a chance to stand back and look at the business, versus being in the business every day.”
The education sessions will resume at today’s show. While the first day focused on consumer insights, today’s will dial in on how to apply the insights at dealerships.
At the end of the show, Keller will award the dealer with the most purchases a Derema plan-o-gram featuring Carefree of Colorado, PowerMax Converters and Starbright products. The winner will also receive an “RV There Yet” seminar at their dealership.
Keller and Morrow said they anticipate more purchasing today after dealers have had time to absorb new product knowledge. The floor opened at 9 a.m. Eastern time and closes at 2 p.m.
