ORVDA AGM 2023
Lead photo: ORVDA President John Krohnert delivers the opening address at the ORVDA AGM on August 23, 2023, at Nottawasaga Resort and Conference Centre.
Left to Right: John Krohnert, Edward Raymond, Rob Edwards, Harry Patel, Natalie Conway, Aaron Langille, Chris McKee, Mike Roberts, Richard Tache.
The Ontario RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) held its 2023 AGM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at the beautiful Nottawasaga Resort and conference Centre, nestled in the quiet countryside of the Nottawasaga Valley, just 45 minutes north of Toronto.
(Click on the blue links to read the bios of the ORVDA team, and visit their dealership websites)
The meeting was called to order by ORVDA President John Krohnert, of Platinum RV Sales, who delivered a report on the state of the industry in the Province of Ontario.
On the dais were the 2023 board members: Vice-President Harry Patel, Motor Home Travel Canada; Treasurer Rob Edwards, Leisure Days Group; and the Directors: Edward Raymond, Leisure Trailer Sales; Mike Roberts, Timmin’s RV; Richard Tache, Earlton RV Centre; and Chris McKee, The Hitch House.
Following the annual financial report, Josee Bedard, Chairperson of the Board of RVDA of Canada, presented a very informative synopsis of the current state of the RV industry, from a Canadian perspective. Josee’s extensive background in the RV and automotive business has been a very valuable addition to the RVDA of Canada as well as to her home RVDA chapter, the ACVRQ.
Chris Mahony, of Go RVing Canada, presented a very informative session, updating ORVDA members on the many projects that Go RVing Canada has created during the past 12 months. Chris has steered Go RVing Canada through some of the most challenging years in the history of the industry, and the remarkable growth of the Canadian industry is a byproduct of Go RVing Canada’s innovative approach to the promotion of the industry, and the lifestyle.
The morning session of the AGM concluded with the addition of a new member of the Board of Directors, Aaron Langille, Camp-Out RV.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. as the program proceeded to the annual ORVDA golf tournament…
Following a very entertaining opportunity for the participants to play golf on one of the more scenic courses in the area, the day’s events continued with a cocktail reception and dinner.
The ORVDA group reconvened for a cocktail party and dinner, where Ashley Dykun, of Campfire Circle addressed the group, with a heartwarming description of the activities of Campfire Circle, a privately funded, nonprofit oncology camp that supports kids and families affected by childhood cancer or serious illness. This is the charity of choice for ORVDA, and members have supported the cause with their donations…
On behalf of ORVDA, Natalie Conway presented a cheque for $2,500 to Campfire Circle. ORVDA members and the industry at large are encouraged to support this very worthwhile charity – for more information, please visit the website: https://campfirecircle.org/
The formal portion of the evening continued with the presentation of the ORVDA Dealer of the Year Award to Keith Barrick, of Keith’s Trailer Sales, Orton, Ontario. Please see the special feature here: https://rvldealernews.com/orvda-dealer-of-the-year-keith-barrick/
Every year, ORVDA presents a very special award to the Associate Member of the Year – this year’s honour went to Amy Bradley of Wayfarer Insurance, one of the top personalities in the industry. Please follow this link to read Amy’s story: https://rvldealernews.com/orvda-associate-member-of-the-year-amy-bradley/
Winding up the day’s events, the golfers took centre stage for the presentation of the ORVDA Golf Tournament trophies, highlighted by the entertaining MC skills of Henry Ninaber and Amy Bradley.
For additional information on ORVDA, please visit: https://www.ontariorvda.ca/
