RV Leadership Conference Key Takeaways

The 2026 Leadership Conference was a success, beginning with a warm Texas welcome on the evening of Tuesday, March 10. Attendees had the opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting through several creative activities, including a vintage record tie-dye station—where participants spun paint onto vinyl to create a unique souvenir, and a virtual photo booth that transported guests into western landscapes, downtown Austin scenes, and even their own rock band moments.

The conference began with a leadership panel that provided thoughtful insight into the evolving nature of leadership within the RV industry. Patrick Industries’ Jeff Rodino, KOA’s Toby O’Rourke, and Camping World’s Matt Wagner shared how their leadership perspectives have grown over time to better serve today’s customers, the role company culture plays in long-term success, and how their individual company vision contributes to the health of the industry overall. The discussion also explored how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are being thoughtfully integrated into day-to-day operations.

Keynote speaker Mitch Mitchem encouraged attendees to view AI not as a replacement for people, but as a powerful tool to assist teams solve problems faster and automate certain tasks, opening the door for professionals to focus on higher-value work and new opportunities. 

Captain David Marquet delivered an engaging presentation, blending humor with leadership insights. He emphasized the importance of challenging traditional work system models and avoiding the mindset of doing things simply because “that’s how they’ve always been done.” Additionally, David also highlighted the value of shifting from a “they” mindset to a “we” mindset within teams and encouraged leaders to empower their teams by allowing individuals to express their intentions, improving decision-making, trust, and communication. By inviting input, valuing different perspectives, and building genuine relationships with their team, this allows people to feel heard, and that is the foundation of a strong and successful team. This also helps create organizations that are faster, more accountable, and more competent. 

Tuesday evening’s Texas-themed reception truly lived up to the phrase “everything is bigger in Texas!” The branded cowboy hat station was a standout experience, with nearly every attendee proudly sporting their customized hat by the end of the evening, creating an incredible visual moment and a fun shared memory across the event.

Kicking off the Conference's second day, Rohit Bhargava shared ways to practice "non-obvious thinking," because true innovation isn't about predicting the future; it’s about being observant enough to see the hidden patterns in the world today that others are too busy to notice. One way to do this is to create space for new ideas by changing your rituals.

The Park Perspectives sessions once again proved to be a highlight of the conference. These presentations provided valuable insight into areas of the RV industry that many attendees may not interact with regularly, including finance, compliance, PAC engagement, and other critical functions that support the industry’s success.

Blake Michelle Morgan challenged attendees to rethink traditional business models by incorporating hospitality-driven thinking into their operations. Her workshop encouraged participants to examine customer touchpoints and consider how ideas from other industries could help elevate the customer experience across the RV space.

The Worldwide Trends panel offered a valuable perspective on the RV market’s global performance. Attendees gained insight into trends across regions, including the challenges currently facing the European market, and were able to compare those conditions with the continued strength and opportunities within the American market.

Todd Gongwer’s keynote brought a powerful and emotional close to the conference. His message encouraged attendees to reflect deeply on how their leadership impacts the lives of the people they lead, and to reconnect with the core purpose behind their work by asking an important question: “Why do you do what you do?”

Finally, the outdoor activities provided attendees with an opportunity to network in a more casual environment. By stepping outside the traditional conference setting, participants were able to connect and build relationships while enjoying shared experiences in Austin, TX.