RVBusiness, March/April 2020

NEWS inFOCUS L to R Hope Zenda U S accounts fulfillment manager for NTP STAG and events chair for RVWA Tracy Anglemeyer director of aftermarket at Furrion Kelly Robertson Thetford marketing manager Jordyn Foos media consultant for RV Pro as well as co founder and vice president of RVWA Jennet Lewis director of sales for the West Coast for NTP STAG and also chair for the membership committee for RVWA With an Eye Toward Greater Expansion RV Womens Alliance Gaining Visibility Support Since its Formation a Year Ago So in RVWA weve found a group where we get support from others to remind us that yes theres plenty of opportunity for us and yes were worth it said Jennet Lewis sales director for NTP STAG and membership committee chair for RVWA 48 RVBusiness M A R C H A P R I L 2 0 2 0 BY SHERMAN GOLDENBERG The RV Womens Alliance RVWA continues to gain ground within the North American recreation vehicle arena nearly a year after its launch having thus far attracted as many as 400 members from a wide spectrum of companies according to the fledgling organizations leadership And looking ahead they say RVWA is looking to secure a total membership of up to a thousand industry people both men and women by the end of the year as it reaches out to prospective RVWA members on an almost monthly basis through a series of scheduled business social soirees held in conjunction with various industry events from the Elkhart RV Open House to the RV Industry Associations RVIA erstwhile RVX show That includes receptions that took place in January during shows hosted by distributors Northern Wholesale Supply in Red Wing Minn and NTP STAG in Grapevine Texas So whats so compelling about this new womens alliance considering that its an outgrowth of an industry that might generally be considered a rather stereotypical male dominated manufacturing based American business sector First of all RVWA spokesmen are quick to point out dont jump to conclusions regarding the mission of RVWA in that this start up organization has little or nothing to do with the so called Me Too movement and all that On the contrary as RVWA President Susan Carpenter and others point out its chief goal is to create a supportive atmosphere and an expanded role for women across the board in the RV sector while providing plenty of educational opportunities for its members as well RVWA spokesmen say theyre doing a good job of that through member webinars addressing topics such as the development of RV service technicians and the RV Technical Institute Webinars also focus on honing business skills dealing with subjects like negotiating and handling financial matters such as F I One of the latest twists for RVWA involves members giving back by spending time all on the same days on Habitat for Humanity builds in various locations around the country What we are hearing from members is that RVWA provides a place for them to belong and support one another explained Carpenter aftermarket manager for B B Molders in Mishawaka Ind These connections and opportunities to learn from women and men from across the RV industry are something unique and very valuable that RVWA brings to our members And it is something that we are looking to really expand upon in the new year RVBusiness interviewed several RVWA members during a continued on page 78