The 40th Annual General Meeting of the Ontario RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) was held in the conference centre at beautiful Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, Ont.
The breakfast session convened at 8:30 AM and following the various committee reports, the election of the 2019 ORVDA Board was conducted.
The ORVDA Executive Board members serving the second year of a two-year term include:
- President – Bruno Tombari
- Vice President – Roland Goreski
- Treasurer – John Krohnert
Directors serving the second year of a two-year term include:
- Carolyn Vos
- Dominique Tan
- Stacy Robinson
- Rob Edwards
Directors – elected to a two-year term:
- Harry Patel
- Kymberley Clark-Allen
RVDA of Canada Report to ORVDA members
Josée Bédard delivered a special report on the achievements and ongoing projects of the RVDA of Canada, outlining the many elements of the national association that are of critical importance to the daily operation of RV dealerships throughout Canada, including several new RVDA of Canada partners who offer unique services to the association and the members.
Go RVing Canada Report
Cyrus Irani from Go RVing Canada delivered a presentation on the new concepts being explored and developed by the association, introducing the new Agnostic internal PR team, which will now bring extensive social media expertise in-house. Goals include leveraging actionable strategies and tactics for short and long term projects. These SWOT priorities include developing opportunities arising from the sharing economy and peer-to-peer renting, and promotions geared toward new Canadians. The association will also work to counter critical threats arising from the peer-to-peer competitors; the fragmentation of media and the cost of promoting in a cluttered media environment, and lapsed users who have lost their interest in RV activities.
RBC Group Advantage Retirement Plan
Doug Leech from RBC presented the new RBC Group Advantage Retirement plan program, which would enable RV dealers to offer this benefit to their staff.
ORVDA Dealer of the Year Award
The highlight of the evening session was the presentation of the 2019 ORVDA Dealer of the Year Award. President Bruno Tombari introduced this segment of the evening with a tribute to the ORVDA Dealers of the Year who have made a significant contribution to the association, their communities and the industry at large.
Bruno introduced the 2019 honouree with the following presentation: “I am very pleased to present this year’s ORVDA Dealer of the Year Award to a very well-deserving individual who has dedicated her career to serving the RV industry. At the age of 10, she started working Saturday mornings at the dealership. Her duties included, but were not limited to, sweeping the floors, dusting the desks, emptying the ashtrays and garbage cans, and even scraping the putty off the shop floor – now that’s dedication – and for no pay…
By the time she reached high school, she was working summers at the dealership, in the parts department. The staff built her a platform so she could reach the cash register.
After graduating University with a BA in communication, she immediately went to work at the dealership, managing the parts department, which she has subsequently grown to be one of the best parts stores in Eastern Ontario. She currently not only continues to manage the parts department, she is an integral part of the day-to-day operation of her family-owned RV dealership.
Serving on the ORVDA board for several years in the capacity of Director at Large, and on the Executive Board as Treasurer, she has played a lead role in supporting the development of the Ottawa RV Expo, working vigorously to attract and encourage participation from RV dealers in Eastern Ontario.
Her work ethic is admirable, conducting business with honesty and integrity, putting the interests of customers and dealership staff first.
Born in Toronto, the first child of Ernie and Rosalie Vos, it is my honour to present the 2019 Ontario RV Dealer of the Year to Carolyn Vos, of Vos Trailers.”
In accepting the Award, Carolyn had the following comments: “I am very overwhelmed and completely caught off guard. If it wasn’t for my work as a member and as a Director of ORVDA, I would not have had the opportunity to get to know so many of the members and associate members of the Ontario RV Dealers Association. You are my peers, and my friends and I would like to especially thank my father, Ernie Vos, for starting the dealership – I am very proud of the Ottawa RV Show, and I am very proud of our board, and our industry.”
ORVDA Associate of the Year Award
At the AGM dinner following the golf tournament at Blue Mountain, in Collingwood, Ontario, ORVDA President Bruno Tombari stepped up to the podium to present another prestigious honour.
Here is an excerpt from President Tombari’s presentation:
“After starting her career with CIBC Finance, this year’s ORVDA Associate of the Year jumped into the recreational finance industry. She founded, and is a partner with Dealer Plan Peterborough, and is proudly enjoying her 20th year in business. During her tenure, her dedication, work ethic, and conservative nature have grown Dealer Plan to become a leader in the offsite finance industry.
Never one to announce her success, she prefers to stay humble and reserved. She is very active in her community and is a proud supporter and volunteer in many community initiatives.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to present the 2019 ORVDA Associate of the Year Award to Paula Joore, from Dealer Plan Peterborough.”
ORVDA Golf Highlights – please take a few minutes to view the video of the ORVDA 2019 Golf Presentation –
