In December, the RV Technical Institute (RVTI) held its second annual Authorized Learning Partner Conference at its headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana.
The event brought together more than 38 managers representing over 573 dealership locations, two technical colleges, a correctional facility, and a high school, reflecting an increase from the 29 attendees and 393 partner locations reported last year.
The conference supports the RVTI’s “Hub and Spoke” model, which aims to build a nationwide network offering the institute’s gold standard curriculum. Authorized Learning Partners train and certify more than 85% of the institute’s students—over 15,000 learners annually.
Attendees received insights into the institute’s training structures, explored available resources, and toured the facility. Participants also collaborated on strategies to improve technician education and discussed new training approaches to attract more individuals to RV technician careers.
“I truly enjoyed the RV Technical Institute’s recent conference. The camaraderie among fellow professionals in our field was inspiring, as we all share a common goal of advancing training and development,” Erik Betz, training and development specialist at Alpin Haus, said in a News and Insights report of RVIA. “It was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices with one another.”
Betz said meeting the RVTI team in person was a highlight, as it strengthened connections and fostered collaboration. He emphasized the value of bringing professionals together to discuss improvement strategies, noting that the conference provided diverse perspectives critical for enhancing industry practices. Betz looks forward to seeing the positive impact of their discussions on the RV industry.
Erin Stover, training and communications manager at General RV Center, also noted that meeting colleagues and new institute team members was another benefit of the event.
“The RV Technical Institute’s Authorized Learning Partner Conference was a fantastic opportunity to meet people in person who I’d previously only interacted with virtually, and to experience the collaborative spirit of the group firsthand,” Stover said.
Stove added: “It was also great to connect with the new members who have joined the RV Technical Institute’s growing team, each bringing fresh perspectives and energy to our shared mission. Everyone is eager to help each other overcome roadblocks and share best practices, creating lasting connections that will continue to support the growth of our industry.”
This year’s conference emphasized how the institute’s learning partners support the ongoing development of RV technician education. Learning partners have access to the institute’s full technician curriculum, course materials, learning management system, and testing resources. They also receive ongoing training on curriculum delivery, lab procedures, and tracking student progress.
The annual subscription fee for becoming an Authorized Learning Partner is $3,150.
