12 March, 2015

RV experts drive it home with world conference

Caravan kings of Australia gathered recently for a successful World RV Conference in Melbourne.

From Feb 25 to 27, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia hosted the event, focusing on the global challenges to the RV industry, as well as solutions that could be applied.

The three-day event proved a good opportunity for international networking and the passing down of wisdom to the benefit of all global RV enthusiasts.

With 332 delegates from 16 countries in attendance, the third-ever World RV Conference has grown from strength to strength since its inauguration in Dusseldorf in 2008.

“We are very proud to have hosted such a breakthrough event for the industry globally,” Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said.

“The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive, with all delegates enjoying the depth and breadth of discussion that took place. We had presenters covering the industry from several vantage points – and the analysis and description served to highlight emerging opportunities and challenges that I think all delegates will take home with them.”

With an ever evolving global RV industry and a rise in product importation, presentations on World Product Standards from Bill Thiel (Australia), Bruce Hopkins (USA) and Jost Krüger (Germany) offered valuable insight for products on a global scale.

Delegates were also happy to hear the perspectives of other countries, as a way of understanding how international markets operate.

Japan, for example, noted that most RVing is done on weekends, and are short trips, while the ‘Lap of the Map’ is still achievable in many Western countries.

There were 35 Chinese delegates, and An Qingheng’s presentation showed that while China’s industry is small time now, it has big plans for the future, both in manufacturing and in fostering a strong domestic industry.

Qingheng revealed that China is planning to build 10,000 caravan holiday parks by 2020.

“The aim of the World RV Conference was to create an environment for dialogue and knowledge-sharing among leaders of the RV Industry internationally, and to highlight Australia’s strong position both domestically and internationally. We have certainly done that,” Lamont said.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia looks forward to participating in the next World RV Conference, to be held in China in 2018.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

caravan industry association of australia world rv conference