The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada (RVDA of Canada) will host an Aug. 11 webinar focused on helping RV dealerships improve the profitability and efficiency of their parts departments, featuring fixed operations consultant Sara Clements-Hey, president of Bob Clements International.
The one-hour session is designed for RVDA of Canada members and industry professionals and will also serve as a preview of Clements-Hey’s presentations at the 2026 RV Dealers Convention/Expo.
The webinar, titled “7 Things You Can Do to Get Control of Your Parts Department Today,” will provide strategies for strengthening fixed operations, an area the association said is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to dealership performance and customer satisfaction.
Clements-Hey said many parts managers enter leadership positions without formal management training despite being responsible for inventory accuracy, staffing, marketing and operational performance.
“Most parts managers I meet got the job because they were the best person in the parts department,” Clements-Hey said. “Somebody handed them inventory accuracy, obsolescence, hiring, and marketing, and told them good luck. No one ever taught them how to run a department. And a parts department that’s run right is one of the most profitable, most consistent things in a dealership. That’s why we’re doing this webinar. It’s an hour, and it’s the place to start.”
According to RVDA of Canada, dealership executives have historically given limited attention to parts departments despite their potential to generate consistent profits. The association said the webinar will focus on providing practical tools to help parts leaders improve operational performance.
“Sales might drive the initial deal, but the parts department is the operational hub that keeps the entire dealership moving,” Anita Lien, director of marketing and communications for RVDA of Canada, said.
“While a technician’s role is highly technical, managing parts requires an equally specialized skill set. An accomplished Parts Manager must balance inventory precision, regulatory compliance, and market trends with strategic pricing and sourcing. Fixed operations is finally receiving the strategic focus it deserves, and Sara Clements-Hey will show our dealers exactly how to transform their parts departments into high-performing profit centers,” Lien added.
Clements-Hey brings more than a decade of leadership experience working with family-owned dealerships, manufacturers and fixed operations teams. The association said her background combines dealership operations experience with a degree in psychology to help organizations improve internal processes and performance.
The webinar is scheduled for Aug. 11 at noon Central time. Clements-Hey is also slated to lead two fixed operations sessions at the 2026 RV Dealers Convention/Expo: “Amazon Isn’t Your Problem. Your Parts Strategy Is” and “Why Your Best Technicians Are Leaving, Why Pizza Won’t Fix It, and What Actually Will.”