RV Industry Association (RVIA) has appointed Mindy Smith as its new senior manager of public relations, bolstering the marketing and communications team’s efforts to promote the RV lifestyle to a growing and diverse consumer base.
Smith began her professional journey in communications after earning a master’s degree in Public Affairs in 2012. She accepted a role with the Girl Scouts, an organization she was deeply connected to since childhood.
“I was a lifelong Girl Scout K-12 and then I was a Girl Scout volunteer, so my natural next step was to work for the organization because they’d recruited me,” Smith said in a News and Insights report of RVIA on May 20.
During her eight-year tenure with the Girl Scouts, Smith led marketing and public relations efforts and contributed to curriculum development.
She also fostered partnerships with outdoor brands such as The North Face to expand outdoor opportunities for Girl Scouts and their families.
Following her work with the Girl Scouts, Smith transitioned to Darby Communications, a public relations agency focused on the outdoor industry.
At Darby, she managed media strategy for six outdoor gear brands, gaining expertise in areas like backpacking, paddling, and climbing. It was there she encountered the RV sector while working with SylvanSport, a member of the RV Industry Association.
“I really enjoy it,” Smith said of her experience in the RV space. “I love that people can take road trips with their family and friends and have those shared experiences. So, here I am!” Now in her new role, Smith is responsible for public relations strategy, media monitoring, campaign development, and agency coordination.
Smith said she is focused on aligning PR efforts with organizational goals. “I follow the trends and media cycles, maintain a PR calendar, provide support when we are presented with media opportunities, utilize our website resources to help answer media questions, and support our public relations agencies,” she said.
She added that collaboration with senior director of public relations and communications Monika Geraci has been a highlight of her work so far.