The RV industry is preparing for a series of events, training programs, and promotional initiatives scheduled throughout summer 2026, with organizations across the sector focusing on safety compliance, workforce development, aftermarket networking, and consumer outreach.
The RV Industry Association announced that registration is open through July 24 for its 2026 Regulatory & Safety Compliance Seminar, which will take place on July 29 at the Lerner Theatre in downtown Elkhart. The members-only event will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at noon, with breakfast provided for attendees.
The seminar will feature keynote speaker Will Godfrey, director of mobility, automation, and safety at Thompson Hine LLP, alongside a panel of compliance and safety professionals from major RV manufacturers and suppliers. Panelists include Mike Becker of Forest River, Dennis Carl of Brinkley RV, Troy Cornell of Winnebago Industries, David Mihalick of THOR Industries, David Stevenson of ATC Trailers, and Pamela VanderMel of Lippert.
Topics scheduled for discussion include identifying safety issues, maintaining a safety culture, collaboration with dealers on recall management, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in regulatory and safety compliance.
Three of the discussions will be moderated by Von Lindsey of Lindsey Research Services, while the AI-focused panel will be moderated by Nick Woolsey, Ph.D., scientist at Exponent. Sponsors for the event include Winnebago Industries, Forest River, THOR Industries, Lippert, and Dexter.
The emphasis on AI and compliance reflects a broader shift within the RV and outdoor hospitality sectors, where operators and manufacturers are increasingly evaluating how automation and digital tools can support risk management, maintenance documentation, and customer service processes while maintaining regulatory standards.
Meanwhile, Go RVing recently completed a national satellite media tour ahead of National Go RVing Day on June 13. Travel expert Emily Kaufman participated in interviews with broadcast outlets across several U.S. markets, promoting RV travel as consumers finalize summer vacation plans.
According to the association, interviews focused on the flexibility and affordability associated with RV travel during the summer season. The campaign comes as industry groups continue to position RV travel as an alternative to more traditional travel options amid ongoing demand for road trips and outdoor-focused vacations.
The RV Industry Association is also encouraging attendees of RVs Move America Week to download the EventMobi mobile application before the event. Organizers said the app will provide schedules, location details, networking tools, and live event notifications. Attendees are required to register for RVs Move America Week before accessing the platform.
In the aftermarket segment, sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2026 RV Aftermarket Conference, a three-day event designed to connect suppliers and distributors through one-on-one business meetings and networking activities. Available sponsorship categories include the Welcome Reception, RV Aftermarket Awards, Lunch Fireside Chat, and Closing Reception.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality and RV industries, such conferences continue to serve as important venues for product launches, supplier partnerships, and operational discussions at a time when customer expectations for connected technology, service responsiveness, and upgraded amenities are increasing across campgrounds, RV resorts, and dealerships.
Workforce development also remains a focus for the sector. The RV Technical Institute and Navarro College announced their Summer 2026 RV technician training schedule, offering two intensive two-week programs beginning June 8 and July 13, respectively.
The 80-hour program combines RVTI Level 1 certification training with workplace readiness instruction, including OSHA 10 certification, customer service, workplace communication, and repair order documentation.
Program participants will receive hands-on instruction involving propane systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and appliances while training with fifth wheels and travel trailers. The cost of the program is $1,200, and applications are due two weeks before each session begins.
Additional industry developments continue to highlight strong consumer interest in RV travel. The RV Industry Association’s recent summer travel intention survey found that 37 million Americans plan to go RVing this summer.
National parks, beaches, scenic routes, and other outdoor destinations remain among the most popular travel choices. The survey also indicated continued interest among younger travelers and pet owners seeking flexible and budget-conscious vacation options.
Travel and Tour World cited the survey in recent reporting, stating, “The surge in summer RV travel bookings reflects a wider shift in consumer behavior across the American travel industry.”
The publication added, “Younger travelers, including Millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly choosing RV vacations for greater control over budgets, schedules, accommodations, and pet-friendly travel options. Industry experts say the rise in road trip tourism, combined with ongoing airline operational uncertainty, is reshaping the future of domestic leisure travel.”
Elsewhere in the industry, Ray Citte RV marked its 80th anniversary in May with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by employees, local officials, and members of the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce. The dealership, founded in Roy, Utah, in 1946, has remained family-owned throughout its history.
In the campground sector, several Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park locations in Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Virginia were ranked among the top six RV parks in the United States in USA TODAY’s 10Best 2026 Readers’ Choice competition. The camp-resorts are known for family-oriented programming, water attractions, themed activities, and expanded pet-friendly amenities, reflecting continued demand for experience-driven outdoor accommodations.