RV Open House displays the pride and work of Elkhart County workforce

Annual event started small but has become an industry touchstone

Bob Martin, president and CEO of Thor Industries Inc., talks about the RV Open House as he sits in a newly designed Venetian RV unit Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. The show brings thousands of dealers to Elkhart from all over North America. (Jennifer Shephard/The Elkhart Truth) (Buy this photo)

For many years the RV industry — and our area — struggled in a sluggish economy.

You can argue that the economy still needs work, but things have clearly changed for RV manufacturing. A resurgence of popularity in the vehicles and their lifestyle has brought about an industry-wide turnaround. And with many of those vehicles being built in our part of Indiana, the positive shock wave has reverberated through every corner of Elkhart's business climate.

Elkhart’s RV Open House event has become a major draw for dealers and consumers. In a special two-day look at the RV Open House,

Truth Radio spoke with Kyle Hannon, president of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday's Newsmakers segment about what the RV show brings to our community.

Bob Martin, the president and CEO of Thor Industries, was able to give us some time Thursday morning to talk about the impact the show has had on the local community, as well as his company's business. He also looked ahead to what he expects to be the bright future of the industry. The RV Open House saw a number of orders from distributors who have come to embrace the Elkhart show, and in doing so, have found themselves welcomed by the people and businesses of Elkhart with open arms.

Newsmakers is heard at 8:30 Wednesday mornings on the Truth Radio Early Edition.