2nd Annual My RV Resource Meetup
The My RV Resource Meetup is a great way for RV service providers to network and share experiences. It is an excellent venue for companies in the RV industry to gather and learn about new products and services on the market in an effort to expand cross-selling and upselling opportunities to their customers. This practice can increase revenue and inform the RV service provider’s customers about additional product options they may not already know about. During the meetup, attendees are introduced to potential marketing opportunities to raise brand awareness as well as participate in diverse educational sessions.
It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday in January near Tampa, FL for the 2nd Annual My RV Resource Meetup for RV Service Providers. There were over 40 RV service companies in attendance who each received a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes and products from meetup presenters. Additionally, each attendee received promotional gifts like backpacks, flashlights, pens, and coasters.
Initial Networking Session
For the RV Service Provider Meetup, My RV Resource supplied 40 lbs of pulled pork BBQ, baked beans, soda, and water. The attendees were informed ahead of time this would be a potluck-style menu. There were two 10ft tables full of food for everyone to enjoy.
The meeting opened with everyone filling their plates and enjoying a great meal while spending time talking to other RV service pros at their tables. Between each session, there were breaks to allow everyone to network and meet other service pros currently in Florida.
Presenters During My RV Resource Meetup
The first presenter of the day was Lee Blackwell with Blackwell’s Speed and Sport Consulting, who presented The HubSaver. A relatively new product to the RV market, The HubSaver can save consumers thousands of dollars, massive headaches, and potentially save lives while traveling down the road. This terrific product will protect a trailer’s hub in case of a bearing failure and keep the wheel from coming off the axle.
After his presentation, Lee generously raffled one full set to outfit on their trailer or install on a customer’s trailer. Congratulations to Joel and Susan Ramsey with Ramsey RV Services who were the lucky winners this year. Click Here to watch a video of My RV Resource Featured VIP, Andrew Nakhla with Faithful Journey RV Services installing The HubSaver and packing bearings on his own fifth wheel to protect his family while they travel.
The second presentation was brought to everyone by Kenny Blackmon of Cody Talbert Distribution and One Source RV. Kenny and Sonny, who together have over 60 years experience in the RV service and parts industry, introduced an innovative concept for helping mobile RV technicians find and purchase parts. Being a smaller, regional company, mobile RV techs can rest assured CTD and OneSource RV are prepared to assist much more than larger distributors.
Kenny reinforced that between Cody Talbert Distribution (wholesale division) and One Source RV (retail division), they intend to do everything that they can to support the RV service industry and in particular, small businesses that are primarily mobile. Mobile RV techs can call for help finding parts as well as buy from them without being set up as wholesale. However, being a wholesale customer will afford RV techs the ability to be tax exempt as well as obtain a net 30 account with available discounts for early pre-pay.
Rather than calling the bigger distributors and waiting on hold to find parts, Kenny, Sonny Munter and the team provide stellar customer support while keeping their prices low, and if they can’t beat Amazon or a competitor’s price, they are honest and truthful and point technicians in the right direction.
After his presentation, Kenny introduced a representative from Southwire, also named Kenny, to the group. He introduced Southwire testing and measurement tools and together, the two Kenny’s and Sonny raffled many Southwire products and other items like folding camp chairs and the like.
The final presentation from Lisa and Jason Carletti, founders of My RV Resource, who explained the importance of having a complete company listing and best practices to utilize the online directory and reach the most potential customers.
Jason and Lisa discussed the hard work and hours spent “behind the scenes” that includes working with developers to offer new and exciting benefits from having a Featured VIP Membership Subscription as well as the upcoming My RV Resource mobile app.
The Carletti’s informed meetup attendees that My RV Resource is being utilized by Alliance RV, Coach-Net, Dometic, Lippert, Diamond-Shield and other manufacturers to locate and hire RV repair companies. My RV Resource is also being shared in newsletters and forums including Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA), Passport America, Workamper News, Grand Design, Newmar, among others.
As Master Certified RV inspectors, the Carletti’s continue to provide consultations, mentorships, and their proprietary HomeGauge Done-With-You Setup service, specifically for RV inspectors certified through the National RV Inspector Association (NRVIA).
My RV Resource recently implemented an affiliate program and the Carletti’s continue to form relationships with outside vendors to secure discounts and access to industry-specific programs which are constantly evolving.
The couple are actively pursuing government contracts for disaster relief projects, a cause they hold near and dear to their hearts after being involved in efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys (2017) and Hurricane Florence (2018) which ravaged the eastern shore of the US.
The Importance of Certifications
During the My RV Resource Meetup networking session, concerns about becoming certified and maintaining certifications surfaced and Lisa and Jason asked meetup attendee (and long-time friend) Renee Wynsma, Director of Administration at Recreational Vehicle Technician Association of America (RVTAA) and National RV Inspector Association (NRVIA), to discuss the importance of acquiring and keeping RV inspector and RV technician registrations and certifications.
Renee shared a perfect example of the legalities for RV service pros who let their certification lapse, but still advertise and represent themselves as certified RV professionals. It was evident that Renee’s comments were eye-openers, especially when Lee Blackwell chimed in to agree and elaborate. Lee has an extensive service background and a variety of corporate experiences in the service industry in general as well as the RV industry specifically. Together, Renee and Lee positively reinforced why it is vital to keep certifications up-to-date and help keep RV service providers out of the courtroom.
At the end of this session, Renee raffled NRVIA hats plus Lisa and Jason Carletti drew names and presented restaurant gift cards.
Final Networking Session
After all of the educational sessions were complete at the My RV Resource Meetup, the RV service pros were given time to network with everyone, including the presenters.
Competition is fierce and the RV industry has faced many changes over the years, especially during and following the pandemic. A lot of business professionals are reluctant to come together and promote each other.
The My RV Resource community thrives on fostering relationships between RV industry professionals. This concept affords RV service pros the ability to call on other companies, lean on people with varied backgrounds and experiences instead of seeing them as direct competition.
The result is a diverse community of people who know and respect each other as well as having allies and an open channel in which to refer customers. This practice ultimately raises each company’s customer service status and helps deter negative feedback.
Many Thanks!
Lisa and I are thankful for everyone who showed up and took part in the 2nd Annual My RV Resource Meetup. The support that was shown was overwhelming and we hope that everyone walked away having learned something. Because of the increasing number of service pros that attended, we already have interest from other manufacturers, product and service providers willing to present in future meetups which we hope will continue to get bigger and better each time.
In fact, we are considering adding a meetup each summer as well as continuing the tradition of the annual My RV Resource Meetup during snowbird season when RV service pros flock to Florida.
We would like to send a huge shoutout to our dearest friend, Joe Elser Jr., who provided impromptu parking attendant duties and documented the meetup with candid photography. Joe recently became a full-time RVer and is broadening his RV skills while attending the hybrid RV Technical Institute (RVTI) program. He is also learning on-the-job at Boondocks Mobile RV Service and local RV repair shop.
Closing Remarks
If there are products or services that you might like to see included in the next My RV Resource Meetup, or you would like to present your product or service to meetup participants, please email lisa@myrvresource.com with ideas. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well.
Photos From The Meetup
