Under peaceful winter skies, Pete’s RV Center of Vermont held their first dealership show of the year January 20th-22nd.  Promoted as the “Cabin Fever Sale”, Pete’s RV reached out to their community of RVers through local television and radio ads, postcards, email and social media.

Based on the turnout, and where visitors traveled from, the community of Pete’s RVers is expanding quite a ways beyond northern Vermont.

“Over the past couple of years, I’ve noticed more and more people traveling from outside of Vermont to get to our dealership shows,” said marketing manager Phil LeClair.  “The Cabin Fever sale brought in folks from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Quebec, and across Lake Champlain in neighboring New York.”

He also noted that while Pete’s RV dealership shows are promoted as sales events, they’ve become socially inviting to visitors.  “I love the fact that a growing number of family and friends drop in to show their support for Pete’s RV.  They usually bring somebody new along, give them a tour of the place and all the campers.  Feeling more like an open house, it really puts our guests at ease and disengages thoughts that a sales pitch is lurking around every corner.  I had kids from the youth hockey team I coach show up this year with their parents.  They had a blast!”

Providing visitors with first looks at 2012 inventory, Pete’s RV showcased the new Vantage travel trailer line from Keystone RV Company as well as the Bullet Premier 29RTPR rear living room travel trailer, Cougar 28RBS family travel trailer, and revamped Outback 312BH bunkhouse travel trailer.

Pete’s RV treasurer and co-owner Dave McGinnis explained that a variety of new and used products were sold at the Cabin Fever sale.  “We’re always delighted with a good turnout and selling units so early in the year–especially in the middle of a Vermont winter.  This year’s January sale was interesting because we sold used pop-ups, luxury fifth wheels and everything in between.  From our perspective, this is a good indicator of being able to satisfy a broad range of shoppers looking for certain types of RVs.”

Pictures and comments can be found on the Pete’s RV 2012 VT Cabin Fever Sale Facebook Photo Album.

Coming off a successful 2011, Pete’s RV Center kicked off the new year as exhibitors at the 2012 Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show held January 12th -16th.  As first timers to this popular event at the mammoth McCormick Place convention center, it took a boatload (no pun intended) of planning and a sizable staff to work the five-day show.

“Consumer shows always involve intense preparation, but the Chicago RV Show was unique because it required us to combine personnel and resources from our Indiana and Vermont dealerships,” said Vice President of Sales Todd McGinnis.  “It’s a large show in an even larger metropolitan area, goes on for five days, and has long hours.  Therefore, it’s critical that we have plenty of new RVs on display and enough staff to represent them.”

Pete’s RV had fifteen recreation vehicles in their display manned by a dozen or so staff members.  Overall, McGinnis felt the show kicked off the year on a positive note.

“Even though the show is boat-heavy and only about thirty-five percent of the displays are RV dealers, the foot traffic was solid enough to keep us busy throughout the five days.  It provided excellent exposure for our dealership in nearby Schererville, Indiana, we sold some units, and met some great folks.”

Among all of positive feedback on new campers from Keystone RV Company, Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant Joe Vartuli pointed out a few of the attention-getters:  “People really liked the Montana High Country 343RL’s rear-living room, the Passport 3220BH’s bunkhouse and outdoor kitchen, and ultra-light Passport 190EXP expandable trailer.  We received lots of good feedback on the new Montana 3402RL fifth wheel floorplan, and especially the Airstream-like Vantage travel trailer line that was just launched by Keystone RV.”

Pictures and comments can be found on the Pete’s RV 2012 Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show Facebook Photo Album.

While the RVIA National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky is the official unveiling of what’s new and exciting for 2012, Pete’s RV actually works months in advance preparing for the new calendar year.  Louisville serves as a final tune-up in preparation for rolling out our 2012 inventory.

We huddle with the Keystone RV Company sales team to go over final details on recent floorplans, features, and to get a good look at what Pete’s RV Center dealerships will be showcasing to RV consumers in 2012.

Pete’s RV VP of Sales Todd McGinnis is pictured above at the 2011 RVIA National RV Trade Show with Outback RV District Sales Manager Nick Kaiser.

Cougar X-Lite 29REV V-Nose Bedroom	Mountaineer 375FLF Front Living Room	Cougar High Country Rear Kitchen

As highlighted in an earlier Pete’s RV Info Blog story about our attendance at RV Manufacturers Open House in Greater Elkhart, Indiana,  RV buyers can look forward to several new refinements.  Some changes are subtle such as Passport’s updated exterior graphics and all-white skirt, and Bullet Premier’s attractive Teak interior option. Others are more dramatic:  Springdale’s interior facelift centers around impressive dark wood cabinetry, and Sydney fifth wheels stepped up their game in a big way by finally capturing the popular appeal of their counterpart, Outback travel trailers.

Joining Keystone RV’s existing lines, Vantage offers RV buyers a refreshingly different and contemporary-looking travel trailer that is sure to raise eyebrows on roadways and campgrounds.  With it’s curved sidewalls, arched roof and Euro-style decor, Pete’s RV is excited to add Vantage to their already vast selection of Keystone RV Company products.

More pictures of our visit to Keystone RV Company’s display in Louisville can be viewed on the Pete’s RV Facebook page.

Regular updates and buyer information on new Cougar, Montana, Outback Sprinter, Passport, Springdale, Raptor, and Vantage RVs to follow.  In the meantime, our inventory of 2012 fifth wheels and travel trailers is primed and ready for North American RV buyers!

A small contingent from Pete’s RV made their annual pilgrimage to the RVIA’s 49th National RV Trade Show, held Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

According to an RVIA press release, 67 manufacturers and 230 suppliers displayed 2012’s newest and most innovative products across more than 730,000 square feet of exhibit space.

With nearly 13 football fields of floorspace to cover, it is always a challenge to see everything the show has on display. However, Pete’s RV VP of Sales Todd McGinnis explains that a little strategy goes a long way in helping you to tackle the abominable task.

“We’ve been attending the RVIA Trade Show for quite a few years now. With so many innovators in the RV industry, it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to see every new floorplan or feature. So we always do a wide reconnaissance sweep of the show first. This allows us enough time to meet with our vendors plus circle back on the things that really piqued our interest.”

Some of those points of interest included the bullet-shaped Aviator travel trailer by Forest River, impressive body paint and styling on the Sesmic toy hauler by Jayco, and consistent themes across multiple makers such as extra-large showers and multi-functional family rooms.

These innovations plus more pictures from the RVIA’s 49th National RV Trade Show are available for viewing on Pete’s RV Facebook page.

After nearly six months of prepping the facility and training staff, Pete’s RV Center held their first weekend sale 11/4-6 at the Schererville, Indiana dealership they acquired in May.

While it was promoted as a Fall Liquidation Sale, the event also served as an open house to Northern Indiana and nearby suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

“The timing was right for us to put out the welcome mat and make it official that Pete’s RV Center is here to serve Greater Schererville and surrounding communities,” said vice president of sales Todd McGinnis.  “Thousands of people drive by this dealership each day on U.S. 30.  They’re our livelihood.  So it’s in our best interest to have as many of them as possible know exactly who Pete’s RV is and what we do behind this storefront.”

Throughout the weekend, steady foot traffic flowed through the spruced-up showroom, service center, and new parts and accessories store.  Visitors also wandered in and out of hundreds of new and used RVs on the dealership’s eighteen-acre lot.  Multiple units were sold, including a new Passport 3220BH travel trailer to a couple who drove nearly two hours from Earlsville, Illinois.

According to the Pete’s RV sales staff, they received many positive comments about the dealership and inventory.  Montana High Country’s 313RE and 343RL lightweight fifth wheels were the weekend favorites along with the Cougar X-lite 28RBS bunkhouse travel trailer.  Both brands are manufactured by Keystone RV Company.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of our first sales event.  Especially at this time of year when most people have stored their campers away for the season,” said the dealership’s general manger Kris Craven.  “We sold units, showcased our dealership, and met a bunch of great people this weekend.  Mission accomplished!”

Additional pictures from the sales event can be viewed on the Pete’s RV Facebook page.

Internet Marketing Manager Phil LeClair attended the 11th Annual Digital Dealer Conference and Exposition October 5-7 in Las Vegas, NV.

Digital Dealer is a premier event for auto dealerships wanting to learn how to keep pace with today’s rapidly growing number of internet shoppers.  Speakers at the conference are leading authorities in their respective fields.

Collectively they provide a well-rounded look into what is required to attract and provide online customers with the best possible experience on dealer websites and other digital outlets.

While primarily attended by auto dealers, RV dealer personnel like LeClair are quickly growing in numbers.  He shared, “First and foremost for Pete’s RV is ensuring our reputation for excellent customer service translates seamlessly across all mediums.  Be it in the showroom or on the internet, RV dealers follow a similar sales and marketing model.  Therefore it’s extremely important that we also understand how to apply our techniques in a virtual space.”

The attention-grabbing session titles like “Shut Up and Listen to Your Customers!”, “It’s a People Driven Economy, Stupid!” and “There’s an App for That, But It Sucks! came as advertised.  While speakers made it quite clear that the digital age is here and dealers need to participate to stay competitive, they stressed not executing their internet initiatives with haste, inefficiency or inconsistency.

Digital Dealer enjoyed record attendance this year with standing room only in most of the sessions.  There were nearly one hundred exhibitors displaying an array of technology tools and consulting services for website optimization, lead management and social network integration.

One of LeClair’s key takeaways was “Mobile first”.  “More consumers are choosing smartphones and tablets over laptops and desk computers to search and shop for products, so the unofficial theme of the conference was to think mobile devices.  With such a small window for visitors to peer into our dealership and expansive services, it is essential we promote Pete’s RV clearly and concisely in a mobile-friendly environment.”

Pete’s RV Info Blog Editor’s Note:  We received this very nice recap of the September 2011 Montana Owners Club (MOC) Fall Rally in Elkhart, IN.  If you are not familiar with MOC, I highly recommend checking out their website and becoming a registered member.  Dedicated to Montana, Montana High Country and Mountaineer fifth wheel owners, they have an incredibly active member forum and excellent RV resource sections!

As reported by Rich and Pat Labbe from Westford, MA:

We just attended the last event of the annual 2011 Montana Owners Club (MOC) Fall Rally–the ice cream social–hosted by the wagon masters.  For twenty-nine couples, it was their first national rally. There were ninety-three rigs in attendance–a new MOC record!   The weather brought lots of rain but that didn’t dampen attendee spirits at all.

As usual, Keystone Montana was very involved in the planning and execution of MOC events. They ran a driving school women and once again, no trucks or Montanas were damaged! Three new RVs were hooked up and the women drove, backed-up, hitched and unhitched the fifth wheels.  While the driving school was being held, factory tours were also being conducted.  There was lots of positive feedback on the new Montana 3402RL.

Seminars were held by RV vendors Norcold, Dexter Axel, Lippert, Dometic, Tredit, and MorRyde.  They provided a bunch of information, Rally Specials, and “good will” items.

The last of the raffle prizes were won tonight. Many items were donated by dealers and MOC members. The winner of the Pete’s RV Parts and Accessories Store gift certificate was Bob S. of Holly Springs, NC.

Thanks again to Pete’s RV for your contribution.