Indiana Governor Mike Braun to Headline 2026 RV Power Breakfast in Elkhart
ELKHART, Ind. — The 2026 RV Industry Power Breakfast, hosted annually by RVBusiness, is drawing significant early interest. Organizers confirmed that more than 1,200 tickets have already been snapped up for the May 21 morning event at the Northern Indiana Event Center, located on the grounds of the RV/MH Hall of Fame. The gathering, which has become a staple on the industry calendar, will be emceed by WNDU’s Gary Sieber.
Headlining this year’s program is Indiana Governor Mike Braun, whose ties to the RV and manufactured housing sectors run deep. Before entering politics, Braun served as an executive at Meyer Distributing, the family-owned logistics and parts company that supplies a wide swath of the RV industry. His appearance signals the continued political and economic importance of the sector to the state, which remains the nation’s undisputed hub for RV manufacturing.
“Having the governor here isn’t just ceremonial — it shows that the state recognizes how critical this industry is to Indiana’s economy,” said Tom Hensley, a longtime RV dealer from Goshen who plans to attend. “But I hope he’s ready for some tough questions about workforce development and supply chain issues. We’ve been patching things together for too long.”
The breakfast will also feature a Dealer Panel of five prominent RV retailers: Loren Baidas of General RV Center, Jon Gerrando of Blue Compass RV, Nathan Hart of Walnut Ridge RV, Ben Hirsch of Campers Inn RV and Jarrod McGhee of Fun Town RV. Each is expected to offer on-the-ground perspectives on consumer demand, inventory trends and the shifting landscape of RV sales.
Kampgrounds of America Inc. President & CEO Toby O’Rourke will return to present fresh research from the campground sector, offering insight into camping trends and site availability. Meanwhile, Baird Market Strategist Mike Antonelli will deliver an economic outlook, a session that many attendees say is especially critical given ongoing inflation concerns and interest rate volatility.
“I’m coming for the economics talk, honestly,” said Carla Mendez, a marketing director for a Midwest RV parts supplier. “We can all network over eggs and bacon, but what I really need to know is whether we’re looking at a soft landing or another rough patch. If Antonelli says recession, I’m going to need a second cup of coffee — or maybe something stronger.”
A joint panel featuring representatives from the RV Industry Association (RVIA) and the RV Dealers Association (RVDA) will provide updates on Go RVing, the national campaign promoting the RV lifestyle, and the RV Technical Institute, which focuses on recruiting and training technicians. Panelists include RVDA President Phil Ingrassia, THOR Industries Inc. Vice President of Marketing Renee Jones, RVIA President & CEO Craig Kirby, Crestview RV President Michael Regan and Newmar Corp. President Casey Tubman. Jones and Regan serve as co-chairs of the Go RVing Board of Directors, while Tubman chairs the RVTI board.
Rounding out the morning’s agenda, Michilah Grimes of Lippert Components Inc. and Mike Gaeddert of Coachmen RV will recap the annual RV Industry Park Improvement Project, scheduled for May 20 at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds. The volunteer-driven initiative brings together industry professionals to refurbish and upgrade public spaces, reinforcing the sector’s community ties.
The 2026 RV Industry Power Breakfast is hosted by RVBusiness and facilitated by B.J. Thompson Associates. Sponsors include Airxcel Inc., Cummins Inc., Dometic, Forest River Inc., Genesis Products, Kampgrounds of America Inc., RV Dealers Association, RV Industry Association, Spartan RV Chassis, THOR Industries Inc., Wells Fargo DF and Winnebago Industries.
Doors open at 6:45 a.m. for a breakfast buffet, with the main program beginning at 7:15 a.m. Tickets are priced at $80 per seat or $750 for a table sponsorship of 10 seats, available through RVBusiness.com. Organizers expect a sellout crowd, given the early ticket sales and the high-profile lineup.