The printed January edition of RV News is now hitting mailboxes throughout North America. For my loyal digital subscribers who prefer to read it online, you can do so by clicking here to access the January issue.
While this digital issue has been complete for some time, I hate to admit it, but I procrastinated in sending it out. In early January, we had some significant things happening both inside and outside the industry and wanted to let those play out before writing my monthly letter to you. The holidays also played a small part in the later delivery. For those anxiously waiting for this to arrive, I apologize.
The Last 45 Days Outside the Industry
In the last 45 days, the world has been busy. As you know, we confirmed a new U.S. President, had an unexpected shift in the Senate, kicked off distribution of the first round of COVID-19 vaccines and have seen a tailspin of pollicization of nearly everything imaginable.
Let me touch briefly on national events from a news organization’s perspective. It grieves me to say that when I reflect on the last year, I feel the national media has contributed, facilitated and exasperated many of the problems our country has recently gone through. I am truly ashamed of much of the work produced by the national media and people working there who claim to be unbiased journalists.
I believe in fair and unbiased news coverage. Who does that anymore? Well, here at RV News, we do. If I reflect back just 10 years ago, any journalist who produced the kind of work I often see the national media produce would have been fired. Back then, they would no longer have a job. Their career would be over.
Being trustworthy and conveying accurate information is the foundation of good journalism. Despite what you see elsewhere, we will strive to be trustworthy and provide accurate coverage here at RV News. We will provide facts and not blatantly attempt to convince people what they should think. Armed with good information, people can decide for themselves. It is extremely arrogant for the media to take a stance that they know what is best and then use its platforms to deceive people into agree with them.
The RV Industry’s 45-Day Review
A lot has happened here. I’ll limit this to the last 45 days and be as brief as possible.
Every trade show (with one exception) was canceled despite every effort to pull them off. Many were canceled last minute. While the following list is not comprehensive, some of the shows I wish would have happened include: the Keller RV & Marine Show, the Atlas Distribution Show, the RVDA National Convention and the Arrow Show. All are essential business opportunities that facilitate success for our industry and the consumers we serve. I’ll say it again, “that’s just an abbreviated list.”
Some of those events went virtual and if you ask any one of them if their event was successful, they all would say, “yes.” All PR speak and optimism aside, I would argue most, if not all, were “a wash,” at best. While virtual may be a new channel for doing business, it has a long way to go before it is as useful as in-person meetings. And yes, others are free to disagree with me on this.
The shipments report for all of 2020 was just released today. If you are not ecstatic about a 6 percent increase in new RVs shipped, I doubt there is little that will impress you. Increasing 6 percent with six weeks of shutdowns is simply a miracle.
The one area of weakness in RV manufacturing is motorhomes. This segment has been in decline for some time. It’s an ongoing trend. We need to do a better job of specifically marketing motorhomes to RV consumers as an industry. I think RVIA should put together a special taskforce to address this. Anyone have Jim Sheldon and BJ Thompson’s cell numbers? If history is any indicator, those two could wave a wand and everyone in the country would be shelling out cash for a motorhome in their driveway. Get on it RVIA.
I’ve saved the best for last. FRVTA and NTP-Stag both pulled off shows in Florida. These are massive accomplishments. In NTP-Stag’s case they truly got lucky on choosing a venue in Florida where government did do everything possible to kill any and all business. I personally attended.
No bias here. The event was safe. Business people conducted business with each other for their mutual benefits. Attendees loved the opportunity. Was it perfect or like previous NTP-Stag shows? No, but it was far better than nothing.
Attendees were limited to a total of just 800 people. The size of the show floor and number of people walking around kind of reminded me of an Arrow show (give or take a couple hundred people). It saddened me that it was impossible for more vendors to attend. It saddened me that more attendees could not be there. The impression I got from Bill Rogers and Fred Petrivelli was they felt the same.
I’ve heard similar disappointment from all the other distributors and suppliers that compete with NTP-Stag who may have been forced to cancel shows. I hear disappointment for 2020, but optimism for 2021. Smart business people find ways to do business despite challenges. I encourage the RV business community to reach out to your B2B partners. Let 2021 be the beginning of the best year our industry has ever seen. That will only be possible if we commit to it in a proactive way rather than being reactive. RV consumers are literally lining up to buy from you.
From my perspective, our industry is on the cusp of something great.
Dana Nelsen
Very Proud Owner/Publisher of RV News magazine
