The biggest induction dinner in the RV/MH Hall of Fame’s history gathered about 450 attendees and 16 inductees Monday night.
The event’s red, white and blue theme was appropriate for unity, Hall of Fame President Darryl Searer said, and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb addressed the gathering as the first speaker.
“Everybody was upbeat and in a good mood,” Searer said. “I was extremely pleased with the turnout.”
The induction dinner spotlighted the Hall of Fame classes of 2020 and 2021. Last year’s induction dinner was postponed by the pandemic. This year’s dinner faced challenges as well.
The 2020 dinner was moved from the first Monday in August to the first Thursday in December. The dinner then was moved to May 13, celebrating both classes, then to Aug. 2, Aug. 9 and finally Aug. 16.
“Under those circumstances, everybody showed up who said they were coming,” Searer said.
All but four inductees attended. Class of 2020 Manufactured Housing inductee Ron Dunlap declined the invitation. Class of 2021 RV inductees Eleonore Hamm and Jim Sheldon asked to accept their awards with the Class of 2022 at next year’s ceremony. Class of 2020 Manufactured Housing inductee Steven Adler cited health reasons for not attending but had the Hall ship him his plaque and jacket before the ceremony. He sent a video that was aired at the dinner, accepting his honor.
Despite nearly twice as many induction speeches as usual, the event was finished by 9:30 p.m. Searer attributed the work in part to inductees respecting each other’s time.
“We gave them two minutes and told them ahead of time if they spent four minutes instead of two, they were taking time from their fellow inductees,” Searer said. “They pretty much stuck within two or three minutes. There were a lot of comments after from people who thought they would be there until 10:30 or 11.”
The dinner also provided space to announce the Darryl Searer Spirit award from the past two years. The award recognizes individuals whose support for the Hall of Fame and its mission goes above and beyond the ordinary.
The 2020 recipient was Mick Ferkey of Greenway RV in Wisconsin, a member of the Hall of Fame’s Executive Committee. The 2021 recipient was Thor Industries President and CEO Bob Martin.
Searer shared credit for the event with his team – Ryan Szklarek, Jennifer Rose, Jose Rodriguez and Chuck Wilde – saying the event was a 50% increase over the previous largest induction dinner crowd. The induction also was livestreamed, with Searer saying the stream had about 470 views at last check.
Holcomb’s attendance was another highlight. Searer recounted how the governor came to the event, saying RV Technical Institute Executive Director Curt Hemmeler had a connection with the governor. Hemmeler talked with the governor about the induction dinner and the governor asked if Hemmeler knew someone who could provide him about 10 minutes to speak.
“Curt called me and asked if we could work the governor in and I said, ‘Certainly,’” Searer said. “He ended up sitting at my table and I got a chance to talk to him for some time, even before the dinner. He is a very astute gentleman and very down to earth.”
The dinner caps a busy stretch for Searer and the Hall of Fame, which now turns its attention to hosting the Supplier Show during Elkhart Open House week in September.
“I was pleased with the event, but I was worn out,” Searer said, noting he got the best sleep he had in two months after the event.
