New Jersey Park Operators Tour RV Manufacturing Facilities in Elkhart, Indiana

Staff and board members of the New Jersey Campground Owners Association (NJCOA) traveled to Elkhart, Indiana for tours of RV manufacturers and affiliated industries, hosted by the RV Industry Association. The tours took place October 24th and 25th.

According to Joann DelVescio, NJCOA executive director, she and six New Jersey-based campground operators were accompanied on their tour by Chris Bornemann, RV Industry Association Senior Director of Government Relations. “We visited a mix of RV manufacturers, the RV Technical Institute, and the RV/MH Hall of Fame. It was very educational. I found out that over 80 percent of RVs manufactured in the world are made here, and I was impressed with the manufacturing methods and the local training institute.”

Tour stops included Grand Design Factory Service Center, the R/MH Hall of Fame, the RV Technical Institute, Brinkley RV, Forest River RV, and Newmar RV.  

Attendee Justin Crane of South Jersey Jellystone in Williamstown, NJ, and NJCOA President remarked, “I really enjoyed coming out to Indiana and seeing the manufacturing of units from the ground up and the processes in place for quality controls. Also, I appreciate the incredible communication between the different departments from design conception through delivery to the customer.”

Attendee Anita Pfefferkorn of Indian Rock RV Park and Campground in Jackson Township, NJ, and NJCOA Past President said, “I really enjoyed learning about the opportunities at the RV Technical Institute. They are filling a very necessary niche in the RVing community.”

The group tour came about after DelVescio attended a similar tour in 2022 and felt it would be beneficial for her association’s campground operators to see the production process firsthand. In addition to DelVescio, Crane, and Pfefferkorn, other NJCOA attendees on this year’s tour included Karen Kymer of Kymer’s Camping Resort in Branchville, NJ, Judy LaPorta of Little Oaks Campground in Cape May Courthouse, NJ, and Randy and Noah Prisckett of Sleepy Hollow Family Campground in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

At the RV/MA Hall of Fame Museum. Left to right: Justin Crane, Mike Greene of the RV/MA Hall of Fame, Noah Prisckett, Judy LaPorta, Randy Prisckett, Joann DelVescio, Karen Kymer, Chris Bornemann.

Touring the Newmar RV manufacturing plant. Left to right: Chris Bornemann, Randy Prisckett, Justin Crane, Judy LaPorta, Karen Kymer, Joann DelVescio, Noah Prisckett, and the tour guide from Newmar.