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SERVING CANADA’S RV INDUSTRY SINCE 1971 VOL 49 NO 3268 - 44 Crawford Cres., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0Publications Mail Agreement #43638025RVRVDealerNEWSCANADA’S FOREMOST RV INDUSTRY MAGAZINETMTMTMTMWCANADIAN RV DEALER OF THE YEARCanadianRVDA Updates CRVA News Go RVingCanada Reports AL ROBINSONGreat Canadian RVRVDN 49-3 NEW.indd 1RVDN 49-3 NEW.indd 12021-03-31 11:43 AM2021-03-31 11:43 AM• Creditor Life, Disability & Critical Illness Insurance• Mechanical Breakdown Plans• Appearance Protection ProductsWe provide protection to Canadian families for when “what if?” becomes “what now?”.F inancial G r oup320 Sioux Rd, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 3X6Trevor SmolskiDirector - Business Development780-819-3271 • tsmolski@firstcanadian.caJustin SoodDirector - Business Development416-400-4418 • jsood@firstcanadian.caPhone: 780.467.9575 • Fax: 780.467.4016 • Toll Free: 1-800.561.32423Volume 49 Number 3 | RV Lifestyle Dealer News contents38813 20 COVER STORY: Al Robinson, the 2020 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year… Canada’s RV dealers can be proud to celebrate the many achievements of Al Robinson, of Great Canadian RV, Peterborough, Ontario – the 31st recipient of the Walt Paseska Memorial Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award. 26 RV Dealer of the Year Nominee Profiles Meet Mike Porter, from Bluenose RV Centre, Bridge water, Nova Scotia, and Bob Verway, of Owasco RV Centre, Bowmanville, Ontario… IN THIS ISSUE: 6 Transitions Appointments, promotions, and milestones. 8 MERCHANDISING: Store Design We asked the experts at NTP / Stag to describe the S.M.A.R.T. Store Design Services program… it is a one- stop solution for your inventory, display, and point of purchase needs. 13 PROFILE: Eleonore Hamm – Canada’s newest RV Hall of Fame inductee! RVDA of Canada President, Eleonore Hamm, will be inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in August. We took this opportunity to have a chat about her 25 years of service to the industry.INDUSTRY UPDATES 16 RVDA of Canada Report 18 CRVA Update 19 RVDA of Alberta 19 ACVRQ - RVDA of Quebec Report 28 Go RVing Canada Report Live your Wildlife is LIVE – and bringing Canadian families into the RV community! 23 NEW PRODUCTS 30 INDUSTRY NEWS 38 Spotlight on the 2021 Models What we missed during the pandemic… 44 Insights Jim Clemmer describes how change flows from learning, growth, and development.46 CalendarContentspub page.indd 3Contentspub page.indd 32021-03-30 3:53 PM2021-03-30 3:53 PM4RV Lifestyle Dealer News | Volume 49 Number 3TMTMTMTMRVDealerNEWSCANADA’S FOREMOST RV INDUSTRY MAGAZINEPUBLISHERS MESSAGEFilled with opportunities!There is no doubt that the past 12 months have been the most challenging times of our lives, with the virus threatening the health of the human race and measures to control the spread of the pandemic changing our lifestyles and the ways we do business. Despite the many disruptions to our “normal” lives, the virus has brought several opportunities, especially for the members of the RV industry. Last Spring, we reported on the results of a survey conducted by David Coletto and his team at Abacus Data Canada for the RV sharing service RVEzy, which found that safety concerns will prompt 9.9 MILLION Canadian families to explore the RV vacation alternative for the very first time, and an additional 5.1 MILLION Canadian families will take a second (or third) serious look at adopting the RV lifestyle as their chosen mode for family travel. That is very significant, considering that there are approximately 38 million Canadians – which equates to about 12.6 million house-holds. The full report is available at our website, www.rvldealernews.com Psychologists who we have consulted suggest that the pandemic will create a new attitude toward travel health safety that will prevail for at least 5 – 10 years, and this would indicate a very strong market for all facets of the RV industry. Throughout the pandemic, RV dealers throughout Canada have stepped up to lend a hand to first responders and members of their communities. Among the many RV dealers who have become local heroes, our 2020 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year, Al Robinson, of Great Canadian RV in Peterborough, Ontario, represents the finest qualities that all RVDA members can be proud to share. We have also taken the opportunity to recognize Bob Verway of Owasco RV Centre, Bowmanville, Ontario, and Mike Porter, Bluenose RV Centre, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, who, as nominees for this major honour, have also brought a great deal of positive recogni-tion to the RV industry. Please take a few minutes to read our Dealer of the Year profile, and reach out to congratulate Al, Bob, and Mike for their outstanding contributions to the RVDA movement, the industry, and the community at large. Our next issue will mark the 50th Anniversary of RV Lifestyle Magazine, RV Dealer News, Vie en Plein Air, and our multi-media recreational projects. Our team is gearing up for a spectacular series of issues during the coming months – if you have thoughts or memories that you would like to share regarding the past half-century of RVing in Canada, please drop me a note… I will look forward to hearing from you! WBill Taylor, PublisherVOLUME 49 NUMBER 3PublisherWilliam E. TaylorAssociate Publisher Melanie Taylor-WallisV.P. Special Projects/Editorial Director Norm RosenTechnical Director Garth CaneAssistant EditorMarney CarmichaelProduction CoordinatorGiselle BansalADVERTISING SALESNorm RosenMelanie Taylor-WallisTodd TaylorADMINISTRATIONWilliam E. TaylorPresidentMelanie Taylor-WallisGroup PublisherNorman RosenVP/Special ProjectsNancy MuellerAccountingEXECUTIVE OFFICES Toronto:268 - 44 Crawford Crescent., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0Tel: 905-844-8218 Fax: 905-844-5032Montreal:Tel: 514-856-0788 Fax: 514-856-0790Vancouver:1745 Rufus DriveNorth Vancouver, BC V7J 3L8Camping Canada’s RV Lifestyle Dealer News is published by Camping Canada Magazine Ltd. Reproduction of any mate-rial appearing in this magazine in any form is forbidden without prior consent of the publisher. Advertising rates available on request.Camping Canada Magazine reserves the right to refuse any and all advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements of facts made by its advertisers or independent columnists.PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #43638025Undeliverables to: 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0MONTREAL, QUEBEC© 2021 CAMPING CANADA MAGAZINE PRINTED IN CANADAA Challenging Year...Contentspub page.indd 4Contentspub page.indd 42021-03-31 11:47 AM2021-03-31 11:47 AMMASS_NRG_B_Inset_Mask_Op2Congratulationsto the 2020 Canadian RV Dealer of the YearAl RobinsonGreat Canadian RVOn behalf of our entire sales and service team, RBC® salutes you for your outstanding dedication and contribution to the RV industry.® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. VPS108141 30075 (01/2021)108141 AD_30075_0121_RVDealer_E.indd 1108141 AD_30075_0121_RVDealer_E.indd 12021-02-01 12:54 PM2021-02-01 12:54 PM6RV Lifestyle Dealer News | Volume 49 Number 3TRANSITIONSRVDA OF BC APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTORMJ Wiggins was recently named the new Executive Director of the RVDA of BC. Wiggins grew up around the RV indus-try where she started working in the family business, J & J Sales, founded by her father, Gordon Cahill; she continued to work in the business throughout her school years and into her late 20s.After leaving the industry for a short time to pursue her passion for horses, Wiggins realized that it was “truly her fam-ily”. She recalls, “I went back to work at a Traveland RV in Langley as a parts spe-cialist for a few years until I was given the opportunity by Guy Dansereau to become a sales rep for Danzy Distributors. I jumped at the chance – I was following in my father’s footsteps, it was in my blood.”Wiggins worked for Danzy for six years until it was sold to Thibert. She remained with the company as an outside sales rep, travelling endless miles throughout BC and Alberta, calling on customers, building busi-ness and relationships, and renewing old friendships.Says Wiggins, “When the RVDA of BC Executive Director position became avail-able it became clear to me this was a perfect way to finish my career in the RV industry. I remember as a kid helping with registra-tion and badges for the RV show at the PNE grounds in the RVDA office and attending the RVDA events. Over the years it was always in the back of my mind that I would love to finish my career in this position …“I am very excited to start the final journey of my career as the new ED of the RVDA of BC. I know I have big shoes to fill, Joan Jackson was the Executive Director for the last 15 years. I have been busy the last two months learning my new role and I look forward to this stage of my career.”The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of British Columbia, also known as the RVDA of BC, is a non-profit, member-driven industry association that works to promote, protect, educate and enhance ben-efits for its members.MEET GO RVING CANADA’S NEW MARKETING AND PROJECT COORDINATORGo RVing Canada (www.gorving.ca) welcomed Julia Bouterakos to its marketing team in late 2020 as the associa-tion anticipates a busy and productive year ahead. Bouterakos will be the key contact person for all stakeholders, the liaison for the dealer and campground tie-in programs, and will manage media contacts and all outward member communications.“I’m absolutely thrilled to start this jour-ney with Go RVing Canada as Marketing and Project Coordinator, and to be part of such an exciting time in the RV industry. I look forward to providing dealer support through communications, the dealer tie-in program, and for the launch of exciting 2021 campaign and project initiatives. There is nothing more rewarding than working along-side individuals who share my passion for the outdoors, travel and adventure!” said Julia.Go RVing added that her experience with digital technology will benefit busi-ness growth: “Julia has demonstrated success developing complex multi-channel strategies and content and will be a great asset to the Go RVing Canada team … She is a quick learner with a collaborative and adaptable style.”Go RVing Canada was founded by the Go RVing Canada coalition, which consists of RV manufacturers, component suppliers, dealers and regional RV associations. RVLI ANNOUNCES NEW SALES MANAGER FOR WESTERN CANADAAaron Olsen has joined the RVLI, LLC (www.rvli.com) sales team as Regional Sales Manager for British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan and the U.S. Pacific Northwest (representing Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming). In the new role, he will be responsible for regional wholesale distribu-tion and dealer sales support.Prior to joining RVLI, Aaron worked as an account manager and sales rep at The North Face brand for over 10 years and most recently at Industrial Revolution, a leading manufacturer of inventive outdoor recreation products.“Aaron brings a wealth of sales experi-ence to the RVLI team, having called on many of the national and regional chains as well as two-step distribution and indepen-MJ WIGGINSJULIA BOUTERAKOSAARON OLSENTransitions-49-3.indd 6Transitions-49-3.indd 62021-03-30 3:55 PM2021-03-30 3:55 PM7Volume 49 Number 3 | RV Lifestyle Dealer News dent dealers. He will make a strong fit to our team as we continue to expand our North American sales coverage in support of the continued growth of our product lines,” said Reese Bischoff, Owner and National Sales Manager for RVLI.Based in Seattle, WA, Aaron enjoys camping, RVing and the outdoor lifestyle.RVLI, LLC has been a leading aftermar-ket sales representative agency for over 18 years, representing fine brands in the RV and marine industries servicing the United States and Canada. The company is based in Peachtree City, GA.CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR ADDS INDUSTRY VETERAN TO STAFFAtlas Trailer Coach Products (www.atlastrailer.com) recently announced that John Tamming joined the team as their Sales Account Executive.John (‘JT’) brings to the job many years of knowledge and experience. In this posi-tion he will help and support the Atlas cus-tomer base and will be proactive in enhanc-ing customer relationships, promoting mar-keting programs, and supporting the sales team.“We are looking forward to working with John and welcome him to our team of dedicated employees,” said Garry Bewernick, president of Atlas. “As a true Canadian distributor, and as the RV industry continues to thrive, we also want to continue our growth curve and we believe John can help us get there.”John added, “I’m excited to be part of the team at Atlas and looking forward to working with our customers in my new role. Atlas had always been a good competitor with a strong focus on customer service. I hope to build on that and add additional value to doing business with Atlas.”SAD NEWS FOR CANADA’S RV INDUSTRY…By Norm RosenIt is with profound sadness that we learned of the recent passing of George Goodrick, former RVDA of Canada Chairman, and recipient of the 2016 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award.George passed away on February 24, 2021, at just 54 years of age, after a two-year battle with cancer. He is well known throughout the RV indus-try as the President and owner/operator of Adventure Sports RV in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.George served with great energy on the RVDA of Canada Board from 2008 to 2017, with many highlights during this period, including Chair of National Education-HR Committee from 2010 to 2014. He served as Chairman of the Board, RVDA of Canada, in 2015.Always considerate of the many contributions made to the RV com-munity by the various segments of the industry, George was instrumental in the creation of the Canadian Camping and RV Council and served as a Director on the board.George is survived by his wife Ruth Ann (Chittick) Goodrick and daugh-ters Samantha (Chris), Danielle, Trisha, Jadyn and Georgia, sisters Michelle (Steve) Smith, Jackie (Darren) MacKay, Patti (Rod) Smith, Christine (Aaron) Bell, mother-in-law Margaret Chittick, sister-in-law, Lori (Todd) Metzler, brothers-in-law, Michael (Mari) Chittick and Tommy (Kim) Chittick and many nieces and nephews.George was laid to rest on March 2, 2021 and a celebration of life was scheduled to follow. The family requested that, in lieu of flowers, dona-tions may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and Heart and Stroke Foundation in George’s memory.JOHN TAMMINGAtlas Trailer Coach Products has been serving the RV industry in Canada for over 50 years and currently has four distribu-tion centres. The company prides itself on supporting “brick and mortar” dealers and mobile repair technicians; it does not sell to online resellers. WGeorge with his 2016 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award.Transitions-49-3.indd 7Transitions-49-3.indd 72021-03-30 3:55 PM2021-03-30 3:55 PM8NTP-STAG offers the RV aftermarket’s only compre-hensive retail merchandis-ing program. Called ‘S.M.A.R.T.’, it stands for Strategic Merchandising and Retail Technology and its team can make the difference between an okay and a great store. Its common goal with the dealers it partners with is to improve the total organization and productivity of the space in ques-tion. Trained merchandising and mar-keting professionals help with overall design and execution, visual mer-chandising, and inventory manage-ment services. The NTP-STAG website states: “Our highly collaborative approach marries our customer’s vision to proven retail strategies and culmi-nates in-store installations that improve the shopping experience for consumers and the management expe-rience for the owners.” The process starts by assessing the retail environment to determine the store’s needs. NTP-STAG salespeople often play a key role here and may give advice and tips to dealers and the merchandisers themselves. Once the store evaluation is complete, personal-ized recommendations are delivered in the form of a written project proposal. The program can be molded to fit proj-ects of virtually any size. The next step in the partnership is to strategically design an easy-to-shop, easy-to-inventory and easy-to-main-tain retail space that not only looks good, but will sell more goods. The mission is to: (1) drive incremental MERCHANDISINGS.M.A.R.T. STORE DESIGN SERVICES RV Lifestyle Dealer News | Volume 49 Number 3aftermarket product sales by help-ing RV dealers develop and maintain organized, attractive, well-stocked and profitable retail stores; and (2) be industry-leading retail consultants by providing innovative in-store market-ing solutions and exceeding expecta-tions.SERVICES include:• Store layout drawings, store fix-ture quotes, product placement diagram and visual merchandis-ing recommendations to improve visibility and flow• Store fixture discounts and setup assistance• Initial stocking or fill-in order assistance• Retail sales floor resets• Lifestyle posters, point-of pur-chase materials and retail signage• Staff training• Product tags• Price file updates in dealer’s point-of-sale system.The merchandiser will also help to verify and correct inventory counts, review with dealers how to maxi-mize inventory software and help train dealers to use their resources to enhance and improve store buy-ing habits. The S.M.A.R.T. Program is also available to automotive shop owners.By Marney CarmichaelRV MarketingREV.indd 8RV MarketingREV.indd 82021-03-30 3:55 PM2021-03-30 3:55 PMS.M.A.R.T. STORE DESIGN SERVICES 9Volume 49 Number 3 | RV Lifestyle Dealer News AM-01 Dura GripDura GripDura Grip• Replacement grip for any 1” diameter rail• Replace your worn out grip• Add to any section of your rail• Clicks on no tools needed• UV protected with 2 year warranty• Made in the USAPROUDLY MADE IN THE USAwww.strombergcarlson.comRV MarketingREV.indd 9RV MarketingREV.indd 92021-03-30 3:55 PM2021-03-30 3:55 PMNext >