At Jerry’s RV in New Minas, Nova Scotia, we take learning seriously — but we also have fun doing it. Every year, RV dealers from across North America gather in Las Vegas for the RVDA Convention to share ideas, compare notes, and work on becoming better at what we do. This year, Kristen attended for the first time, and this recap shares what we learned, who we met, and how the experience will help us serve our customers even better.
What Is the RVDA Convention in Las Vegas?
The RVDA Convention/Expo is a weeklong gathering of RV dealers, suppliers, and industry experts. It focuses on strengthening all areas of dealership operations, including:
- Sales
- Marketing
- F&I
- Fixed operations (parts and service)
- Rentals
- Leadership and management
- New technology
- Industry trends and best practices
Why Jerry’s RV Attends Every Year
Jerry’s RV began attending the RVDA Convention in 2022, and after that very first year, we quickly realized just how valuable this event is for our business. The training, networking, and industry insights have helped us continue growing as a family-owned dealership committed to serving our customers well.
Our connection to the Convention has also grown through our involvement with the RVDA of Canada. Chardell serves on the RVDA of Canada Board, representing the Atlantic Canada Region, and has chaired the National Education Committee since 2019. Her work, alongside many dedicated volunteers across the country, supports the development of education and training resources that benefit dealerships from coast to coast.
This year was Kristen’s first time attending, offering a fresh perspective on the Convention’s scale, energy, and value.
A Highlight of the Week: Canadian Dealer of the Year
Each year during the Convention, RVDA of Canada announces the Walter Paseska Memorial Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates a dealer who demonstrates:
- Long-term dedication to the RV industry and the RV lifestyle,
- Participation in provincial or national RVDA efforts,
- Integrity and credibility recognized by customers and peers, and
- Meaningful contributions to their local community.
This year, we were especially proud to see a fellow Maritimer — Jonathan Stone of Stone’s RV in New Glasgow — selected as the Canadian Dealer of the Year. A well-deserved honour for a strong Nova Scotia dealership.
We also want to acknowledge that Chardell was nominated for this award in 2021, something we remain proud of as a reflection of the values and dedication at the heart of Jerry’s RV.
Kristen’s Training Focus in Las Vegas
Because Kristen supports multiple areas of the business, her sessions covered a wide range of topics that directly impact our customer experience.
Sales Training
Modern, customer-centered approaches that align with our no-pressure, family-owned style.
Marketing
How to communicate clearly, support customer research, and make information easier to understand.
AI Tools
Ways to organize information, support staff, and improve communication across departments.
Fixed Operations
Training designed to strengthen systems, consistency, and workflow in our parts and service departments. Each session was practical, hands-on, and directly applicable to our day-to-day operations.
A Key Realization: We’re Growing in the Right Direction
One major takeaway was discovering that dealerships across Canada and the United States are working through many of the same growth areas we are, including:
- strengthening service teams
- improving communication
- supporting ongoing staff training
- balancing sales, service, and rentals
- adopting new technology
- keeping up with modern customer expectations
Learning that our growth aligns with industry trends was incredibly reassuring. It reinforced that we’re right where we should be — and continuing to move forward.
Building Partnerships and Exploring New Tools
The Expo Hall is always a highlight, providing opportunities to connect directly with companies that support dealership operations.
We spent time:
- reconnecting with trusted partners
- asking detailed questions
- comparing tools and systems
- evaluating potential new solutions
- and identifying opportunities for improvements in 2026
These conversations help us make thoughtful, informed decisions that ultimately benefit our customers.
Yes, We Managed to Fit in Some Fun
After full days of learning and walking the convention floors, we also made time to enjoy a little bit of Las Vegas.
The standout moment for both of us was The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere. The visuals wrap around you, the sound feels alive, and the entire experience feels like stepping right into a storybook powered by jaw-dropping technology. It was one of those rare “did that really just happen?” moments — we’re still talking about it.
(Wizard of Oz Witches feel under Sphere)
For fun, here is the link where you can explore the show:
Other memorable moments included:
- A hosted dinner with our warranty partner, Industrial Alliance
- Cheering our way through Tournament of Kings at Excalibur
- Wandering through the shops and strip lights
- And soaking up the energy of Fremont Street in the evening
These breaks gave us room to recharge between full days of training.
What We Brought Home to Nova Scotia
We returned with:
- new tools and ideas,
- improved communication strategies,
- updated approaches to supporting our staff,
- stronger partnerships,
- inspiration for better processes, and
- a clearer vision for continued growth.
Everything we learned ties back to our core goal:
To make owning, servicing, and buying an RV at Jerry’s RV easier, clearer, and more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
We’re excited to roll out new improvements over the coming months — and this blog, RV Smarts with Jerry’s, is part of that commitment.
Thank you for reading our very first post.
We’re excited to share more with you.
Kristen Lightfoot