RV industry conversations bubbled within the M Resort Spa and Casino in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nevada.
Priority RV Network’s annual dealer meeting, held April 2-4, hosted 185 industry members. The dealer collective gathered members to provide dealer services, offer industry insight and support the RV industry.
Priority RV Network includes more than 150 dealers. The annual spring meeting has been held since 1998, with meetings conducted at the M Resort since 2014.
Priority RV Network President and Crestview RV Center President Mike Regan said, “Everybody said it was the best meeting we have ever had.”
The event was the last meeting for retiring Priority RV Network Executive Director Corey Ruzicka. He will retire in December. Ruzicka was honored at the event.
He said, “Every dollar counts these days since the RV business is still somewhat sluggish. This was our best annual meeting ever.”
Regan attributed the meeting’s success to numerous programs introduced at the event. Dealers heard from banking, insurance, internet and dealer management system (DMS) suppliers on recent programs. Regan said about 99 suppliers attended the meeting.
Supplier presentations filled the day April 3. Dealers had the opportunity to visit supplier booths during the network’s reception April 2-3.
Regan said the past year was the organization’s third-best year for financial returns. This year, the network distributed more than $4.5 million in rebate checks to dealers.
Each dealer collective member is a Priority RV Network shareholder. The network presents a financial report at the meeting to maintain transparency with members.
“We show them every dollar that comes in and we show them every dollar that goes out….” Regan said, “because our members are owners of the cooperative, so, they have the right to see that.”
The meeting closed April 4 with a panel featuring Thor Industries President and CEO Bob Martin, Grand Design CEO Don Clark and Forest River General Manager Doug Gaeddert.
Regan said the panel fostered a positive industry image.
“The industry is working really close together,” he said. “It is not adversarial. It is not manufacturers against the dealers. It is everybody working together for the betterment of the industry.”
According to Regan, many dealers reported success in working through their aged inventory. Industry members expect the model year change to take place in July.
