The annual Go RVing Media Summit in San Diego proved to be a successful event, drawing in journalists from various media outlets to experience the RV lifestyle firsthand. This year marked the third annual Media Summit, with ten journalists in attendance at the San Diego KOA from April 30 to May 2.
Monika Geracia, director of public relations and communications for Go RVing, highlighted the goal of the event as providing media members, many of whom have little to no prior RVing experience, with an introduction to the RV market. To immerse journalists in the RV lifestyle, Go RVing partnered with RVshare to provide trailer trailers for the journalists to camp in during the three-day, two-night event. The trailers were set up in advance, and media members received an “RV 101” lesson on the basics of using the RVs from KOA campground owner Clint Bell.
Throughout the event, journalists had the opportunity to engage with key executives from top RV manufacturers and tour a variety of RV models. Executives from Winnebago, THOR, and Forest River were present to showcase models such as the Jayco Jay Flight travel trailer, Keystone Montana fifth wheel, Entegra Class B motorhome, Forest River Dynamax Super C, Cherokee Wolf Pack fifth wheel, Winnebago Echo Class B+, and Newmar Dutch Star Class A motorhome.
Geracia emphasized the positive impact of the Media Summit on RV news coverage, citing examples such as the San Diego Fox TV affiliate filming three TV spots at the KOA campground during this year’s event. Previous Media Summits have garnered coverage from outlets like Bloomberg and Motor Week.
In addition to showcasing RV models and fostering media relationships, Go RVing organized a fun event for journalists at each Media Summit. This year, attendees could participate in a 10-mile bicycle ride with eBikes provided by Buzz Bikes. Past events included visits to a crocodile farm and white river rafting.
The selection process for journalists at the Media Summit involves consultation with event sponsors, including Forest River, THOR, Winnebago, KOA, RVshare, and Camco. Attendees have included reporters from publications like Men’s Health, Military Times, and MotorTrend, as well as freelancers covering various topics of interest to sponsors.
The Media Summit builds on the Go RVing campaign’s efforts to provide RV experiences to media members, with the goal of expanding awareness and interest in RV travel and camping. Geracia and Jeremy Greene, senior director of events and marketing for Go RVing, developed the Media Summit as a way to enhance these outreach efforts.
Overall, the Go RVing Media Summit in San Diego proved to be a valuable opportunity for journalists to learn about the RV lifestyle, connect with industry leaders, and experience the joys of RV travel firsthand. With positive coverage and engaging activities, the Media Summit continues to be a successful platform for promoting the RV industry to a wider audience.