2017 december newsletter

News from RVDA Canada News Highlights

Newsletter

 Canadian National RV Retail Statistics

December 2017

 What to consider before purchasing business Insurance by Richard Frost  2017-2018 NTP-Stag Canada RV Technician Bursary Application

 2017 Walter Paseska Canadian RV Dealer of the Year

 2017 RV Dealers International Convention/ Expo Summary /Highlights

 Unlock the F & I Vault, iA-SAL 2018 Workshop Schedule

Inside this issue: Canadian National RV Retail Statistics

4-5

What to consider before purchasing business Insurance

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2017-2018 NTP-Stag Canada RV Technician Bursary Application

8-9

2017 Walter Paseska Canadian RV Dealer of the Year

12-13

14-19 2017 RV Dealers International Convention/ Expo Summary /Highlights

Unlock the F & I Vault, iA-SAL 2018 Workshop Schedule

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RVDA Member Discount Programs/ Benefits

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Dear Members, As the newly elected RVDA of Canada Chairman of the Board, I must tell you that I am deeply honoured to have been selected for this position and will do my very best to represent you well. I am very excited about the direction and progress the association has had over the past few years and I will strive to ensure its continued success. I look forward to working with all of our industry partners.

At the beginning of the month, I attended the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky. I was pleased to see many of our dealer members in attendance at the show. This year’s event had over 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space for both manufacturers and suppliers. It was a great venue to see new and innovative products; as well as, network with existing and future business partners.

Newsletter

The RVDA of Canada has just approved a new endorsement partnership with Stealth Wifi to provide high-quality, portable Wi-Fi products to RV Dealers.

The individual units are powerful receivers operating on their own private network. This means an end to Net traffic, using Wifi hotspots on your mobile and expensive data overages all while providing a service with an 80% stronger signal over using a cellular device to get online. Watch for further details in the New Year.

This is a great product to help increase the outputs from your finance departments.

We would also like to highlight that we have renewed partnerships with iA-SAL, Federated Insurance and NTP-Stag Canada. These endorsement programs contribute to the financial viability of your provincial and regional, and national RVDAs so we encourage you to give these vendors an opportunity to support your business. The RVDA of Canada Board of Directors has reviewed these products or services and has found them For the first time ever, RVIA hosted the RV Industry to be of exceptional value and recommends their use to Awards at the Mercury Ballroom on the Wednesday the membership at large. evening of the show. I had the honour of participating in the presentation of the RVDA We have also just received the iA-SAL training dates for Quality Circle Awards, which are based on the the upcoming year. These 1-day interactive workshops results for the Dealer Satisfaction Index survey, are for your F & I Managers to assist them in acquiring commonly known as the DSI. The DSI is one of the business office best practices which are specific to the tools that we use to help improve dealerRV industry. For a complete schedule see page 20 of manufacturer relations by identifying how dealers the newsletter or contact your local iA-Sal perceive the strengths and weaknesses of their brands representative. and manufacturers.

I would like to wish you and your families all the best I would like to congratulate all the 24th Annual DSI for the holiday season. Take advantage of the time you Quality Circle manufacturers who received a rating have together and be safe. of 4.25 or above on a 5-point scale in overall dealer satisfaction. And in particular 2 Canadian Season’s Greetings, Manufacturers: Leisure Travel Vans/Triple E and Pleasure-Way. Jean-François Lussier, Chairman of the Board RVDA of Canada

December 2017

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Plan your 2018 year with the RVDA of Canada!

We are now working on the upcoming 2018 RVDA Membership Directory and Resource Guide. Reserve your membership logo enhancements and/or advertising positions in our official print and digital guide. Stand out in front of our members who represent over 90% of RV dealers across Canada.

Positions include display advertising, digital positions, logo enhancements and more!

Learn more about our advertising opportunities by clicking here or if you would like to add your company logo to your membership listing, please fill out this form.

If you have questions, please contact Lana Taylor, Publication Director at (800) 665-2456 ext. 3603 or ltaylor@naylor.com

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Canadian retail sales statistics are now available for both motorized and towable recreational vehicles.

These statistics will allow dealers to better manage the inventory on their lot by knowing which units are selling in their area, which price points are attracting buyers as well as knowing the local trends affecting their marketplace.

The RV retail sales statistics compiled by Statistical Surveys Inc. are the result of matching manufacturer VIN numbers with RV registrations.

The RVDA of Canada endorsement agreement includes free access for national monthly figures only, for members only. Going forward, these figures will be published in the RVDA of Canada bimonthly newsletter and archived at the “RV Statistics / National RV Sales” link on the member side of www.rvda.ca.

This information is copyrighted to Statistical Surveys Inc. and for your use only, not for distribution. In order to protect your endorsement benefit, please honour that onfidentiality.

To purchase more detailed statistics – by province, region or city – please contact Scott Stropkai of Statistical Surveys Inc. at 616-281-9898 ext 128 or sstropkai@statisticalsurveys.com.

To learn more about Statistical Surveys Inc., visit www.statisticalsurveys.com.

Newsletter

Elite Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Aviva Canada Inc., one of the leading Property and Casualty insurance groups in Canada which provides insurance protection to more than 3 million Canadians.

Aviva Canada is on a mission to change insurance. "At Aviva, we listen to our customers' views and opinions because by listening and acting on your feedback, we become better at what we do. We want Aviva customers to feel they are being treated as people, not as a number.

We want our customers to be confident and comfortable that they have the right insurance to cover their needs.

And we want our customers to have a positive experience at Aviva. We've already started the change by introducing our claims service satisfaction guarantee which you can learn more by visiting www.ClaimsGuarantee.com Elite Insurance Company is Canada's largest insurer of specialty personal insurance products since 1954, covering recreational vehicles, mobile homes, antique & custom cars and pleasure crafts. To learn more about Aviva Elite and their mission to change insurance visit their website: www.avivacanada.com Aviva Elite

December 2017

The Quarterly Economic Review is intended to deliver a comprehensive look at the economic indicators affecting the RV industry in Canada.

These products are intended to provide members with current economic information, which can assist them in gaining insights into the changing economic dimensions of the RV industry and the economy at large.

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Newsletter

What to consider before purchasing business Insurance

by RICHARD FROST, Loss Prevention Consultant National Accounts and Associations richard.frost@federated.ca Purchasing insurance for your business is a significant investment. As with any investment, you want to make sure you’re getting the most value for your dollar. Before you purchase coverage, a great amount of time, effort and research should be invested to ensure you obtain the best coverage to meet your business’ needs. Below are some tips to consider and some questions you’ll want to ask before you insure your business.

Understand your risks No one knows your business better than you. Ask yourself: What are your needs and who can best fulfill them? What makes up your operations? Where do your jobs take place? How long is the duration of the project you’re working on? What are the common risks in your industry? There are multiple companies out there offering a variety of coverages. Each answer could affect the amount of insurance you will need.

Shop around There are many factors that affect your insurance premium. Your own loss experience and industry losses are just two considerations. When shopping for insurance, shop smart by asking yourself what your needs are and doing your research. There are multiple insurance companies offering a variety of coverages.

It is important to compare apples to apples when determining what to do. Look at what the policy covers in detail including exclusions, endorsements, limits

and deductibles to see which ones best fit your business’ needs. Above all, ask yourself which one allows you to sleep peacefully at night knowing that your business and assets are protected.

Review your policy limits As your needs evolve, so will the needs of your business. That’s why it’s important to review your policy regularly and see if your coverages still meet your needs. Insurance companies offer a wide range of coverage limits. Ask yourself: What limits do your contracts require? How much is enough? Keep in mind that if your actions cause injuries or loss of life, large claims could occur so you’ll want to be insured to cover those costs. Consider bundling several policies with one insurance carrier. Layering and umbrella insurance are some ways to get the most from your coverage while controlling your costs. Deductibles are also important to consider since they can affect your premium and may allow you to purchase more insurance where it is better needed.

Once you have a good understanding of your needs, here are some questions to ask your insurance specialist: 1. What is the expertise of the insurer in your industry?

2. What is the financial rating of the insurer? Have there been any recent changes?

3. Does the insurer have access to all the types of insurance that your company requires?

4. What are the limits on coverages?

5. What are the exclusions and endorsements?

6. What payment options are available?

7. How will service issues be managed and escalated?

8. How will the renewal process be handled?

9. Who do I contact if I require Certificates of Insurance for multiple projects? Are there any restrictions on the number of certificates that I can request? What is the cost, and how long does it take to get one?

10. What’s your claims process?

December 2017

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What to consider before purchasing Business Insurance

by Richard Frost Here are some insurance terms that you should understand when researching your insurance needs and coverage.

Definitions:  Insurance: is the sharing of loss by the few individuals within a group, amongst the many members of that group.  Insurance policy: is a contract between the insurer and the insured, which determines the claims which the insurer is legally required to pay in exchange for payment.  Declarations page: provides the name of the insured, policy period, coverage, limits, and deductibles, and premium.  Policy wordings: tell you what is covered and what is excluded.  Endorsements: can add or deny coverage, add or delete conditions, change payment limits, and add additional named insureds.  Co-insurance clause: requires the insured to have an equal or greater amount of the stated coinsurance percentage of the insurable value of the covered property.  Umbrella insurance: is excess coverage over and above the general liability and automobile policies.  Deductible: is the portion of the loss that the insured pays. There are a variety of amounts and can have a significant effect on the cost of the coverage.  Certificate of insurance: is a document issued by an insurance company to provide evidence that an insurance policy is in force. You can request this of subcontractors to ensure they have insurance and they can be requested from you to prove that you have insurance.

Federated Insurance Company of Canada. reserved.

This documen is provided by Company of Canada (“Federated”) informational purposes only to augmen your internal safety, compliance and risk management practices, and is intended as a substitute assessment other professional advice by a person or entity. makes no representations warranties the accuracy completeness of the information in this document Federated shall be responsible in any any loss, any indirect, consequential, special, punitive other damages, arising of your or any person’s, use or reliance on the Information contained in this document.

Richard Frost, CIP, CRM, is Federated Insurance’s Loss Prevention Consultant for National Accounts and Associations.

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Attention RVDA of Canada Members As a valued member and supporter of the RVDA of Canada your opinion matters to us!

Please take a brief moment to fill out our communications survey. This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete.

Your feedback will help us improve the benefits of your membership through our communication offerings including: The RV Compass Magazine and the Membership Directory.

December 2017

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Newsletter

Congratulations to Mr. Jason Bell, recipient of the 2017 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year. His professional success validates his hard work and speaks to the tremendous value he brings to the RV industry, as well as to the clients he serves.

It is noteworthy to say, that Mr. Jason Bell has displayed a superb traits in leadership as recognized on the following outstanding achievements he has earned as a Dealer Principal over the last 10 years:  President

of his RVDA provincial chapter 2014

 RV Business Top 50 Dealer Award in  Has won many manufacturer awards  An

active and engaged long term member of the Spader 20 Group

December 2017

Jason’s leadership pursuits and commitment extends further to his desire to give back to the community.

This encompasses his immeasurable assistance from sponsoring multiple sports teams to doing hospital fundraising and recently, his notable contribution and support to the first responders battling the BC wildfire in the Cariboo Regional District.

His support which included delivering food and water to road blocks and supplying 24 RVs as temporary housing was truly unparalleled and exceptional.

Furthermore, he has managed to assemble an excellent team of employees, dedicated to the high performance standards necessary to meet customers’ expectations thus, earning outstanding praises from clients on the social media.

Again, our congratulations to Mr. Jason Bell, whose competence, dedication and enthusiasm are really inspiring. We wish you many years of great achievements!

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Newsletter

2017 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo Summary The 2017 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo was a tremendous success. Thanks in part to the RVDA of Quebec, who brought a large contingent down to the convention. We were excited to have them participate in the convention and were pleased that the RVDA of Quebec along with the translation sponsors iA-SAL and iA-VAG invested in simultaneous translation to assist members in gaining access to the education.

We were very pleased with the Canadian delegation present this year. We had almost 160 Canadian delegates participating in this premier educational event, representing 44 dealerships. It is one of our larger delegations in recent times.

Convention attendees could download a new and improved app to gain access to participant lists, full schedule details, workshop descriptions, speaker bios, and maps of the meeting rooms and expo halls. This helped us minimize the amount of paper evaluations needs and allowed delegates to get real-time convention updates.

Opening General Session Keynote speaker, Chris Helder, shared his tools of persuasion, teaching attendees how to choose the right kind of communication techniques for any situation. People identified their personality types and came to understand the best ways to interact based on identified traits.

The RVDA of Canada Annual Meeting was held during the convention on November 8th.

This year we featured speaker Michelle Dagnino, Generation Y Engagement Expert.

Michelle spoke about working with Millennials, how to manage a multi-generation Workforce as well as engaging the Millennial customer. This presentation delved into ideas and innovations to handle the attitudes, meld the differences, and help the generations understand each other a bit better.

We once again showcased speakers in 7 different educational Tracks: Dealer/GM; Sales, Social Media; F & I; Parts: Service; and Rentals.

December 2017

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The Dealer/GM track featured a combination of RV industry experts and newcomers to the convention. For example, Michael Rees of A World of Training returned this year to discuss techniques to avoid hiring other dealers’ underachievers while recruiting and training top performers. And ever popular Jody Urquhart entertained and informed the audience about “The Nerve to Serve, Say Hello to Humor and Goodbye to Burnout!” and “This Would be Funny if it Wasn’t Happening to Me! Navigate the Future with Enthusiasm & Vigor.”

The Expo Hall was jam packed with industry suppliers and supporters. Out of the 147 companies that are exhibiting this year, we had 30 new exhibitors.

Also new this year was the Retail Tech and Idea Center by NTP-STAG. It was an interactive learning and resource area where dealers could experience how new technologies could be integrated into retail environments to improve customer engagement, store management, and sales. It featured a new model store as well as a display area showcasing three technology solutions that were interactive, entertaining, and informative.

Evaluations are still available in the event’s mobile app.

We look forward to seeing you next year at the 2018 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo which will be held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas from November 5-9.

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RVDA of Canada Endorsements CREDITOR INSURANCE / WARRANTY / APPEARANCE PROTECTION / ANTI-THEFT

GROUP EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

iA-SAL

Federated Insurance

iA-SAL supplies innovative after-market products to the RV market. An industry leader since 1963, iA-SAL's RVDA- endorsed products include:  Creditors' Group Insurance: Life, Disability & Critical Illness  Extended Warranty Program (SPP: SAL Protection Plan)  Diamond-Kote Appearance Protection Products  Silent Sentinel Anti-Theft Etch Program Check your member directory, or member listings at www.rvda.ca, for your provincial contact. http://www.iasa.ca/

COMMERCIAL FINANCING Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance RV Inventory Finance Contact : Carlos Lobo 1290 Central Parkway W, Ste. 1100 Mississauga, ON,. L5C 4R3 (905) 361-3837; Cell: (416) 573-1520 www.wellsfargo.com/cdf RVDA / SPADER 20 GROUPS www.spader.com Spader Business Management RVDA/Spader 20 Groups, managed by the Spader Companies, help dealers improve management skills, recognize market trends and solve problems.

1.800.772.3377 (US and Canada) info@spader.com | www.spader.com WEB AND ONLINE SERVICES RVHotline Canada SynergyProSolutions.com 1-866-642-2343 RVHotline Canada provides New and Used RV online classified and inventory services exclusive to members of the RVDA. Every month, tens of thousands of RVers select this web site to look for RVs. RVHotline Canada also promotes the RV industry by providing additional online resources to the RV community. Affordable quality web design and free web hosting for participants complement the offering.

Federated Insurance provides customizable Group Employee Benefit coverage. Contact: Western Canada: Wayne Budge at 1-800-665-1934 Eastern Canada: Mauro Di Tullio at 1-800-361-0790 www.federated.ca

PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE

Federated Insurance Federated

Insurance Company of Canada provides direct underwriting of Property and Casualty Insurance for RV dealerships. In addition, the Inventory Floor Plan Advantage is available from Federated Insurance for Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF) customers.

Burnaby, BC – 1-800-939-7788 Edmonton, AB

– 1-800-661-8617

Calgary, AB

–1-800-342-9157

Regina / Saskatoon, SK –1-866-291-0523 Winnipeg, MB

–1-800-665-1934

London, ON

–1-800-461-3117

Mississauga, ON

–1-800-387-5953

Laval, QC & Atlantic Region

–1-800-361-0790

PAYMENT SOLUTIONS Baseline Processing looks forward to providing great group-rates to all RVDA of Canada members.

Baseline provides payment solutions and expertise to more than 1,000 merchants across North America. With their large network of processors and industry leading technology for every payment environment, Baseline can meet your needs with aggressive rates that are easy to understand.

Their commitment to Cost-Plus pricing means complete transparency and significant savings for merchants of all sizes. No teaser rates. No hidden fees. No cancellation fees.

Just Baseline’s exceptional service and dedication to building long-term relationships.

Ask about unique solutions for B2B recurring billing and about upcoming rate decreases for the Canadian Travel and Entertainment Industry.

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/ Benefits on select Exclusive discounts up to 35% off select FedEx services when shipping within Canada, to the US, or internationally.

on hotel – access to Choice Hotels program discounts of 15-20% at over 325 hotels in Canada & 6,300 hotels worldwide, & some complimentary services at select hotels. Aeroplan or Choice Privileges points can be earned. Book travel be online, on your mobile device or via a toll-free number.

on 3

If you have a FedEx account, simply enroll in this program through the dedicated FedEx webpage that can be found at the member link If not, see the member benefit page for a link to do so. View FedEx services at www.fedex.ca.

on tools

&

– an exclusive 20% discount on 3 of their publications: and HR & free trials of information services. The constantly-updated information will help you understand employer obligations & legal requirements, & stay updated with Canadian federal, provincial & territorial employment legislation.

on UPS Preferred pricing with UPS for Canada-wide, USA and other destinations for expedited and standard services via Wholesale International Couriers and Freight Forwarders through UPS’ website. Visit the member link above for contact information to set up an account.

Card with use of the Petro-Canada credit card, members of Explorer RV Club & RVDA of Canada can realize significant savings, convenience, control & security.

Click here for an information / application form & contact

on and First Preferential pricing for First Aid Certification with AED (defibrillation), & many more courses; and a 10% discount on all First Aid products and supplies, where applicable. eck c ss availability online. Find contact information for registration and links to classes / programs at the member benefit page.

An array of products at very competitive prices in over a dozen Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) categories, with two discount structures – based on national volume and on catalogue prices. Inventory at each branch location is tailored to the local market. For a complete list of products available, a credit application form to sign up for an account, & a contact for complete details on this program, click here.

on Volume-based preferred pricing on a wide range of products in over 700 categories. Imago Marketing is able to distribute to all locations across Canada Visit the member link above for the member code. For more information, contact Jessie Lo at or 604.304.6246.

Discounts and offers for top attractions, shows and other entertainment! .Now you’ll have access to exclusive discounts, special offers and access to preferred seating and tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets, hotels and much more. Be sure to visit often as new products and discounts are constantly being added!

Discounts on Dale Carnegie Training programs 10% discount off local pricing for any Dale Carnegie Training program. Contact your local training office for class details / dates, or find an office near you. Download & present this offer to them to qualify for the discount.

Marks: select 10% discount on the numerous items listed on our member program card, including work clothing, gloves, belts, winter and safety accessories and CSA-Approved Footwear. Show your card at the check-out counter

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Newsletter

RV Service Technicians deserve to be in the spotlight!

After the release of the English video in June, we’re very excited to release the French video! Here are the two promo videos! Click on the images below to view

As you know, the RV service technician’s work is highly diverse with endless possibilities. We want everyone to know just how diverse it is! You know that the RV technology is constantly changing and the trade combines 14 major trades. But, most people do not know that!

This video conveys the passion technicians have toward their work and hope to inspire many more to become RV Service Technicians.

Help us broaden the reach by liking, sharing these videos and adding to your playlist.

The RV Careers videos were developed with assistance from the following:

December 2017

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A website for everything RV Careers!

It’s been 2 years since we launched the RV Careers site! But, have you heard about it?

As the name suggests, “RV Careers” site contains information about career opportunities in the RV industry. This site contains trade-related and education/training opportunities for those already working in the industry as well as information for those looking to learn more about the RV service technician trade and how to participate in an apprenticeship.

When you visit the site, the first thing that should jump out at you or anyone is “jobs.” And, the call-to-action would be to see what jobs are available and to look deeper for the job and training requirements.

Newly added event and news listing will keep you and your staff up to date on training and industry events and the latest RVDA and industry news.

You have full control of your job postings! You can add, edit or remove your job posting whenever you like. You will be able to receive job applications via e-mail. Before this listing expires (in 45 days), you will be notified to either update or delete the posting.

To post a job, simply go to the employers tab and log in using your RVDA of Canada user name and password. Contact RVDA of Canada at 604-718-6325 or e-mail if you do not have this information.

If you currently work in sales, parts, or service, you will want to visit the Education page. There are training and educational programs for technicians, parts/service management programs, sales, marketing and F&I programs, administration/accounting programs and awards available.

For apprentices and anyone wishing to become an apprentice, detailed information can be found on the Become an apprentice page.

There are many programs such as youth and pre-apprenticeship where high school students can get practical work experience. If there isn’t one in your area, there’s information available under the Employer page on how to start and implement your own apprenticeship program.

There are many financial incentives for both apprentices and employers to participate in an apprenticeship as well as assistance from Provincial and Federal governments and your local RVDA. On the financial incentive page, it lists numerous benefits for apprentices to participate in an apprenticeship and for employers to hire apprentices. There are numerous Federal, Provincial and RVDA Financial assistance programs such as bursaries and grants.

If you have any suggestions or comments about how we can improve the site, please e-mail us or comment on the RV Careers Facebook page

News from RVDA Canada

RVDA of Canada Mission Statement: The RVDA of Canada is a national federation which exists to protect and promote the interests and welfare of RV Dealers across Canada in order to enable the industry to maximize its potential.

Newsletter Editorial Staff The RVDA of Canada Member Newsletter is produced and distributed through the national association office : RVDA of Canada, Richmond BC For Inquiries please contact us at: #145 – Coppersmith Way Richmond, BC V7A 5J9 Ph: (604) 718-6325 Fax: (604) 204-0154 www.rvda.ca powered by rvhotlinecanada.com Emails : Eleonore Hamm, eleonore_hamm@rvda.ca Anita Lien, anital@rvda.ca Amee Inocencio, ainocencio@rvda.ca

Post your Positions at

www.RVCareers.ca

To post a job, simply go to the employers tab and log in using your RVDA of Canada user name and password.

Contact RVDA of Canada at 604-718-6325 or e-mail if you do not have this information.

WWW.BUYLOCALRV.CA RVDA of Canada’s “BUY LOCAL” campaign promotes “Buy your RV close to home.

It’s better in the long haul, to consumers.

We encourage you to download a copy of brochure available at the member’s website.

Board of Directors Executive Committee Chairman, Jean-Francois Lussier, Horizon Lussier, Marieville, QC Vice-Chairman, Herb Cowen Pike Lake Golf Centre, Pike Lake, ON Treasurer, Gord Bragg, Hub City RV, Lantzville, BC Past Chairman, Sam Parks, Camp-Out RV, Stratford, ON Directors Darcy Turgeon Carefree RV Ltd

Trevor Moase Vacationer RV Sales And Services

Jim Gorrie GNR Camping World

Kyle Kehoe Kehoe RV

Bruno Tombari Bellavista RV

Bruce Marsh

Josée Bédard Ruolottes Chaudière

Cape Breton Trailer Sales