RV Industry Association

TURN THE KEY TO START YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE. DISCOVER RV TRAVEL.
With offices in the Washington, D.C. area, and Elkhart, IN, the RV Industry Association is the leading trade voice of the $140 billion dollar RV industry, representing over 500 manufacturers and component and aftermarket suppliers who together produce 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States, and approximately 60 percent of RVs produced worldwide.

The association works with federal and state lawmakers and regulators to pursue a favorable business environment for its members, is the leading source of research, data, and analysis about the RV industry, and seeks to grow and expand the RV consumer market while cultivating a positive experience for current RVers through its Go RVing program.

The association also maintains an inspection program that audits the compliance of RV manufacturers to plumbing, heating, fire and life safety, and electrical systems codes and provides an ongoing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards education program for its members, as well as provides the only industry-backed training program for RV service technicians through the RV Technical Institute.

Americans, it seems, have been destined to be RVers since the earliest days that explorers set foot on this continent. Adventurers at heart, settlers came in search of freedom and opportunities to grow and discover. And discover they did – first by ship, then by horse, in groups by Conestoga wagon trains and, ultimately, by motorized vehicles that ushered in the RVs of today.

A century ago, the popularization of the automobile, improving roads and America’s passion for exploration gave rise to mass-produced, manufactured recreation vehicles, and the RV industry was born.

Through war and peace, booms and busts, fuel lines, fads and the cyber-revolution, the RV lifestyle has endured and is still going strong, even in today’s challenging economic times.

RV Industry: Numbers To Know

Economic Impact 140 Billion Dollars

The RVs Move America Economic Impact Study revealed the RV industry has an overall annual economic impact to the US economy of $140 billion.

32 Is The Median Age of a New Buyer

A new generation of RV owner. The RV Industry Association’s latest research into new RV buyers showed the median age has dropped to just 32 years old!

2 IN 5 People Want to Work Remote in an RV

Best of both worlds! 39% of new RV buyers purchased their RV because they wanted a place to stay and explore the outdoors while still having access to their work.

Vacation Cost Comparison Study
A new study conducted by an outside, independent firm has found that RV vacations cost much less than other types of vacation travel, even when factoring in fuel prices and the cost of RV ownership. According to the study, commissioned by Go RVing and the RV Industry Association, CBRE Hotels Advisory Group found there are average cost savings of up to 60% for a four-person travel party, while a two-person travel party saves up to an average of 46%, depending on factors such as the type of RV and type of vacation.

The RV Path to Purchase Journey
From demographics to sources of research to reasons for travel, the profile of prospective and current RV owners is constantly evolving. Go RVing partnered with Ipsos, the global leader in market research, to develop a comprehensive look at the buying process customers go through for their first-time and repeat purchases. Told through an easy-to-follow story about Dan and Rachel, a recently married couple in their late 20s, RV Industry Association members can use these critical insights on what elements of the journey are most impactful to furthering RV enthusiasm and some key recommendation on how companies can enhance the purchase experience and create greater brand loyalty.

Go RVing RV Owner Demographic Profile
The Go RVing RV Owner Demographic Profile is the most comprehensive study of RV ownership ever conducted, providing deep insights and perspectives on the demographics and ownership habits of RV Owners, Former RV Owners, and RV Intenders. It includes purchase motivations, travel and usage trends, and importance of specific features and accessories across meaningful demographic and generational breakouts. The report also features an RV Owner Segmentation report that identifies seven distinct clusters of RV ownership based on psychographics, hobbies, interests, and usage.

OUR IMPACT
Uniting the RV Industry to Build a Better Future
The RV industry is committed to promoting exploration, adventure, and responsible recreation, while advocating for innovation and conservation in our business practices. As an association, we encourage and promote sustainability, diversity, safety, and the many community activities of our member companies. Find out how the RV industry and our partners in the outdoor segment are working together to create accessible, inclusive, and lasting positive experiences for millions of Americans looking to enjoy the benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle.

Sustainability
Our country’s iconic lands are central to the RVing tradition—we must protect them for the enjoyment of future generations. That’s why the RV industry has partnered with local, state, and federal agencies on projects and policies that support America’s public lands and promote responsible visitor practices. In addition, RV industry brands have set ambitious sustainability goals that include net-zero emissions, sourcing of environmentally friendly materials, and promoting circular supply chains.

Inclusion
We all need nature. The outdoors has proven health benefits, including relieving anxiety, stress, and depression. Go RVing and the RV industry strongly emphasize that adventure and RVing are for everyone. For decades, we’ve partnered with community-led organizations to encourage diverse participation and promote equitable access. And RV brands are designing with inclusion in mind, creating accessibility-enhanced models to make sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors from an RV.

Community
Our people define us. And the RV industry invests in our workforce and communities to support those who support us. Together, we are continually working towards improving worker safety and providing a rewarding career across all segments of the industry. Our brands give back to their communities through volunteering and investment, helping to retain a strong workforce and recruit the next group of innovators into the RV industry.

MEMBERSHIP

The RV Industry Association is the national trade group representing the manufacturers and component suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs manufactured in North America. Our organization unites the diverse RV industry and forges alliances to form a strong, single voice. Working with our members, we advance the industry and drive growth and innovation across the outdoor business landscape.

Membership is available to companies and businesses actively engaged in manufacturing RVs and Park Model RVs as well as those providing a product or service, directly or indirectly, to an RV manufacturer, Park Model RV manufacturer, component supplier, aftermarket supplier, or other wholesale participant in the industry. The membership categories are RV Manufacturer, Park Model RV Manufacturer, Supplier, Manufacturer’s Representative, Finance Firm, and Associate.

In joining the RV Industry Association, you are becoming part of our collective work to promote the health, growth and expansion of the RV industry. Your annual membership investment helps directly fund the signature programs and initiatives to accomplish this vital goal.

WHO WE SERVE
Membership is available to companies and businesses actively engaged in manufacturing RVs and Park Model RVs as well as those providing a product or service, directly or indirectly, to an RV manufacturer, Park Model RV manufacturer, component supplier, aftermarket supplier, or other wholesale participant in the industry. The membership categories are RV Manufacturer, Park Model RV Manufacturer, Supplier, Manufacturer’s Representative, Finance Firm, and Associate.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
The RV Industry Association represents over 500 manufacturers and component and aftermarket suppliers who together produce 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States. When you join the RV Industry Association you become a valued member and a stakeholder in growing the RV industry and boosting your business by taking advantage of association resources and benefits.

Unite as a Single Voice
The RV Industry Association is the voice for the industry at the federal and state level, working with officials across the country to advocate on a wide range of issues that create a favorable business environment, protect against onerous legislation and regulations, and make it easier for consumers to buy, drive, and own an RV. We forge strong alliances with industry partners across the outdoor industry to amplify our voices and present a united message to lawmakers.

Influence the Standards that Define the Industry
The Standards team maintains and contributes to the creation of 500 safety-related industry standards regulating traditional and park model RVs. Our inspectors travel across the country to all member facilities for unannounced inspections every 6-8 weeks to audit the manufacturer’s compliance with the industry’s universally adopted standards, including NFPA 1192 standards, ANSI standards and others. The inspectors also educate manufacturers on certain existing, future and updated regulations that affect the RV industry to ensure that members have the most up-to-date information. The Association regularly interacts with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and hosts technical training through webinars, seminars and at events, providing opportunities for members to interact with and receive updated information from administration officials.

Make Connections to Drive Business
The RV Industry Association connects you with and gives you visibility among the manufacturers who produce 98% of America’s RVs. There are nearly thirty RV Industry Association committees made up of industry volunteers who, together with the board of directors, set the direction of the Association. In addition, The RV Industry Association provides members with several virtual and in-person events and trainings every year. Participation in association committees, events and advocacy provide opportunities to contribute to the advancement of the RV industry, learn the latest on issues impacting RV businesses, showcase innovative products, forge new relationships and provide actionable insights to grow your business.

Stay Informed with Market Data and Trends
The RV Industry Association is the leader in producing research into industry trends and consumer behaviors which allow members to tailor products to the demands of the market. We drive research on future consumer markets and provide shipment data tracking and trends that better assist member companies in the production of RVs, parts, internal systems, and accessories to meet business demand. RV Industry Association members have access to this research and data to assist in making informed, data-driven business decisions in an evolving RV market.

Promote and Grow the Industry
In 1994, a forward-thinking group of RV industry thought leaders conceived the idea of creating an all-industry marketing campaign that united the three branches of the industry (RV manufacturers, dealers and campgrounds) necessary for a positive consumer experience. Today, in addition to our highly impactful public relations efforts that drive a cohesive and positive industry message across the media landscape, the Go RVing program introduces millions of Americans to the freedom of RV travel, building a desire and passion for the adventures that await. The award-winning Go RVing program continues to be a marketing and consumer awareness thought-leader, focusing recent efforts on recruiting, diversifying, and retaining RVers through a broad media mix and partnerships that target high value audiences primed to be your future customer. In addition to its consumer-focused marketing efforts, Go RVing provides manufacturers, dealers, campground operators, state associations, show promoters, and their agencies with access to sales leads, an image and video library, industry best practices, and other marketing tools.

Recruit and Train RV Technicians
While RV sales have skyrocketed in the past few years, the number of well-trained RV technicians has been steady or declining. In June 2018, the RV Industry Association launched a comprehensive strategic plan with a multi-million-dollar investment, creating the RV Technical Institute, to solve the RV industry’s shortage of trained technicians and to implement metrics to track the RV customer experience. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization provides the gold-standard of training for RV maintenance and repair, working directly with manufacturers, suppliers, and leading RV experts to deliver the only RV technician training program built by the industry, training over 10,000 techs since inception, and recruiting over 1,000 new techs into the industry in 2022 alone.

JOIN THE RV INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
Joining the RV Industry Association is an easy three-step process! Create your account and submit an application along with the applicable initiation fee. Membership staff will review the application, contact you with questions or need for clarification and guide you through the membership approval process. Initial membership dues and the special assessment fee for the Go RVing national advertising campaign are due upon approval. Once approved, new members are able to access the members-only portion of the website and enjoy full membership benefits and privileges.

We look forward to welcoming you into our ranks. Our voices are stronger together as we continue to promote and protect the RV industry!

CONTACT RVIA:

Washington, D.C. Office:
13221 Woodland Park Rd.
Herndon, VA 20171
703-620-6003

Washington, D.C. Shipping:
2465 J-17 Centreville Rd. #801
Herndon, VA 20171

Elkhart, Indiana Office / RV Technical Institute:
3333 Middlebury St.
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-549-9080

Media Inquiries:
Monika Geraci: 571-665-5852
Jeremy Greene: 571-665-5871

VIEW OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM:
https://www.rvia.org/about-us/leadership-team