NRVTA Leaders Participate in Three Texas RV Shows

ATHENS, Texas – Two leaders from the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) will participate in three Texas RV shows in January and February, the school announced this week. 

Terry “Cooper” Cooper and his wife, Evada, participated in the South Texas RV Supersale in San Antonio from Jan. 5 to 8. Sponsored by the Texas RV Association, the event included displays by five regional RV dealers as well as six seminars offered each day by various speakers. 

Evada Cooper, author of The RV Centennial Cookbook and executive director of NRVTA, led a daily session to help people get the most out of their RV kitchens. She wanted to take the mystery out of using RV appliances, such as an absorption refrigerator, convection microwave and induction cooktop.

Terry “Cooper” Cooper, president of NRVTA and also known as the “Texas RV Professor,” led three seminars at the San Antonio show, including:

• Five Things You Need to Know Before You Buy an RV. The session guided participants through several questions to help determine which type of RV would be best for their particular lifestyle. 
• Volts, Amps and Purple Monkeys, which described the three electrical systems onboard every RV, as well as common problems that could disrupt a vacation or RV trip. Cooper also provided tips to resolve often-simple problems. 
• Career Opportunities in the RV Industry, during which he outlined ways people can improve their skills and knowledge in order to help others as a dealership technician, mobile RV service technician or an RV inspector. 

In addition to leading seminars, the Coopers staffed a booth in the expo hall where they provided information about NRVTA as well as the National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA) and RV Technician Association of America (RVTAA).

The couple will also participate in the Austin RV Expo, which takes place Feb. 16 to 19 at the Austin Convention Center. They will be staffing a booth at that event and leading three seminars every day. Beside seminars on RV kitchens and electrical systems, other topics discussed at that show include:

• Towing and Safety Basics, which will describe the types of equipment needed to tow different types of RVs. Special attention will be given to towing weights and problems caused by exceeding those limits. 
• RV Propane Systems will describe where propane is used in an RV, how to safely use it, and ways to test for leaks. 
• 15-Minute Makeover for an RV Air Conditioner. This session discusses things RVers can do to ensure their air conditioner is operating at peak efficiency. 

Managed by TRVA Austin RV Shows, six regional dealers will have displays at that event. There is musical entertainment planned each day as well. For more information about the Austin show, visit www.austinrvexpo.com.

From Feb. 23 to 26, the Coopers will participate in the Dallas RV Supersale at Dallas Market Hall where they will again offer the same type of classes. 

The Dallas show will also feature a session on RV Technical Training for Today’s Economy. In that seminar, Terry Cooper will address ways educated RV owners can help themselves and others wherever they travel, in addition to promoting ways people can become professional service technicians and inspectors. 

Sponsored by Main Events Production and coordinated by Wheeler Advertising, more information about the Dallas show can be found at www.dallasrvsupersale.com. NRVTA will also staff an exhibit booth at that event. 

“If attendance at the San Antonio RV show is any indicator, the other shows will be very busy as well,” Terry Cooper explained. “I was very impressed not just by attendance at that show, but by the number of people who were either completely new to RVing or who were investigating the RV lifestyle.

“Shows like these are very helpful to new RVers because they get connected to RV dealers, and learn more about products that can enhance their RV experience,” he added. “They also get to participate in seminars to learn more about RVs in general and the lifestyle, whether they want to become full-time RVers or weekend users.

“Evada and I saw that people remain hungry for useful, practical information about RVing and even about potential careers in the RV industry,” he explained. “We fielded a lot of questions at our seminars and spoke with a number of people interested in becoming professional RV technicians and inspectors. We’re looking forward to meeting even more people at the other RV shows.”

For more information about NRVTA and classes to become a certified RV technician or inspector, visit www.nrvta.com, email [email protected] or call (903) 386-0444 to speak with a student advisor.