We recently connected with Rich Hutchins and have shared our conversation below.
Rich, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard
When we first started brainstorming the idea for our show, we were in the middle of renovating our fifth-wheel RV. As we dove deeper into the RV world, we couldn’t help but wonder why our hometown of Ocean City, MD, had never hosted an RV show at its convention center. With Ocean City being a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts, beach lovers, and campers, we saw a unique opportunity to blend the RV lifestyle with the many other passions that make this lifestyle so special.
Our vision for the show wasn’t just about showcasing RVs for sale; it was about celebrating the entire RV lifestyle. From outdoor sports like fishing, golf, BMX, and skateboarding to activities like hiking, kayaking, and even e-biking, we wanted to create a place where enthusiasts could come together to explore everything that enhances the RV experience. Ocean City is surrounded by campgrounds, beaches, and endless outdoor activities, so it felt natural to bring together those who love to travel with their homes in tow, with those who are passionate about an active, adventure-filled life on the road.
In the traditional RV world, shows often focus primarily on selling RVs and related products. But we wanted to go further. Our show highlights not just RVs, but everything that connects people to the lifestyle — from custom van builders and off-road vehicles to accessories, e-bikes, and even motocross gear. We also incorporated hands-on experiences like BMX shows, skateboarding competitions, yoga classes, tiki bay cruises, and educational seminars on topics like RV maintenance and sustainable travel.
What makes our show different is that we’re not just selling a product — we’re selling an experience. Whether you’re a family looking for your first RV, a seasoned road-tripper, or someone simply curious about the outdoor lifestyle, we’ve created a space where everyone can explore, learn, and get inspired. It’s a place where people can come together, have fun, and discover new ways to enjoy the world while on the road.
This approach matters to us because we believe the RV lifestyle isn’t just about the vehicle itself, it’s about the freedom and adventure it brings. It’s about creating memories, whether you’re camping in the mountains, kayaking on the water, or just exploring the next town over. By bringing all these passions under one roof, we’re helping to foster a community that celebrates the diverse ways people live, explore, and connect with each other — and that’s what truly sets us apart.
Rich, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
We’re Rich Hutchins and Jennifer Evans, and together we’ve created an event and experience that blends our diverse backgrounds with our passion for the RV lifestyle and outdoor adventure.
Rich’s Background:
I’ve been immersed in the world of motorsports, RVs, and outdoor adventures for most of my life. In 1989, I was a KTM Factory Pro rider, but even before that, I was deeply involved in BMX freestyle — I was the designer, manufacturer, rider, and team manager for Hutch BMX, which became the largest BMX freestyle manufacturer in the world between 1983 and 1988. During those years, I was constantly traveling across the country in an RV to attend races — it became my way of life.
After selling Hutch BMX, I shifted gears into the marine industry, where I became a Yamaha-certified master technician and later owned a marina in Shadyside, MD. At the marina, I became the 6th largest dealer in the U.S. for Scout Boats and the 7th largest dealer worldwide for Monterey Boats. For 16 years, I traveled up and down the East Coast attending boat shows, but after selling my marina, I returned to my roots in Ocean City, MD. There, I started a mobile marine and RV repair business, which I still operate today.
Jennifer’s Background:
Jennifer brings 20 years of experience in advertising and marketing, working on major live events like the Oscars, Grammys, Kennedy Center Honors, and Super Bowl Halftime Shows. She also has a wealth of experience in destination marketing for tourism partners in and around Ocean City, MD. Jennifer’s passion for RVs developed through our shared love of renovating RVs together, which we now rent to others looking to explore Ocean City and the surrounding areas.
What Sets Us Apart:
Together, we’ve created an event that goes beyond traditional RV shows. We wanted to build a space that celebrates the entire RV lifestyle — from sports and outdoor activities to DIY projects, e-bikes, and everything in between. Our show is designed to bring adventurers together, offering them a one-of-a-kind opportunity to shop, learn, and connect with others who share their passions. Whether it’s RV enthusiasts, boaters, fishermen, skaters, or outdoor lovers, we strive to create an experience that fuels the spirit of exploration and community.
What sets us apart from other RV events is the way we integrate so many different aspects of the outdoor adventure lifestyle. We blend products, activities, and experiences into an interactive event that invites attendees to discover new ways to explore the world around them — whether that’s through RVing, hiking, BMX riding, kayaking, or simply connecting with like-minded people.
What We’re Most Proud Of:
We’re most proud of how our show gives back to the community. Not only does it bring people to Ocean City and support local businesses, but it also creates a platform for charitable giving. We’re proud to donate prizes to nonprofits and provide opportunities for local businesses to showcase their offerings. Our event generates tourism, supports the economy, and gives everyone involved — including attendees, exhibitors, and our team — the chance to be a part of something special. For us, it’s about creating a win for the community and fostering a sense of camaraderie, much like what you’d expect from a traveling community that looks out for one another.
We want our brand to be known for its commitment to innovation, community, and adventure. Our show isn’t just about products; it’s about creating lasting experiences that connect people, inspire new adventures, and celebrate the great outdoors. We want our attendees, followers, and partners to know that when they come to our event, they’re joining a community of explorers — a place where creativity, fun, and adventure meet.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When we first set out to launch our RV show, we thought it would be a straightforward process — but quickly learned just how complex it would be. Maryland has very specific laws that govern RV shows, and we soon discovered why Ocean City had never hosted one before.
The first obstacle we faced was a state law that limits Maryland RV dealers to participating in only two shows per year. This was a big challenge because, by the time we launched our show, two other major RV shows in the state (in Timonium, MD) had already taken up those slots. One of the dealerships that believed in our vision was technically in violation of this rule, but they took the risk because they saw the potential of what we were building. It was a huge leap of faith, and it really showed us that we were onto something special.
The second challenge came with the law preventing out-of-state dealers from participating in Maryland RV shows. Since Ocean City is located on the Delmarva Peninsula, we had initially hoped to bring in dealerships from nearby Delaware (only 30-45 miles away). However, the law prohibited that, and we realized that the nearest Maryland dealership was over 90 miles away. This created a significant logistical and financial hurdle, as transporting RVs that far is costly. One of the dealerships that participated in our first show spent nearly $60,000 just on transport fees, plus another $25,000 on hotel expenses and additional costs.
Despite these challenges, we didn’t give up. Over the past two years, we’ve worked tirelessly with local lawmakers — including our House of Delegates and Senate representatives — to amend these laws. In 2024, we were able to increase the number of shows Maryland RV dealers can participate in, which allowed us to feature more Maryland-based dealerships at our event, adding greater diversity to the show.
But the resistance didn’t stop there. The Maryland RV Dealers Association was not supportive of the changes we were pushing for, arguing that the state’s dealers should have exclusive representation. This created tension, as many of the most popular RV brands, like Airstream, simply aren’t represented in Maryland. In fact, over 85 different RV manufacturers have no presence in the state. Ocean City, being a major tourist destination, is the perfect location for a show that can attract buyers from all over — but limiting the show to just what Maryland dealers offer would significantly reduce its appeal.
The pushback we faced was the reason why so many others before us had failed to launch an RV show in Maryland. We were told it couldn’t be done, that the obstacles were just too great. But we didn’t let that stop us. We pivoted and expanded our focus to not just showcase RVs, but to emphasize the lifestyle of RVing — bringing in outdoor sports, DIYers, and adventure enthusiasts. This shift helped us continue moving forward, even when we weren’t sure if we could get enough dealers on board.
When we held our first show, we were blown away by the turnout — 7,500 attendees, all qualified buyers. That’s when Maryland’s RV dealers finally began to recognize that we were tapping into an underserved market. While they may not fully support our approach, they can no longer ignore the potential of this show to change the landscape of RV events in the state.
In Year 2, even though it was an election year and there was still pushback from some quarters, we managed to pull off another successful show. And now, as we approach Year 3, we are once again going before the House and Senate to continue amending the laws. We never imagined we’d be in a position to influence state laws, but here we are, making significant strides.
The truth is, in the face of all the obstacles — from restrictive laws to financial challenges to resistance from industry players — we could have given up at any point. But we didn’t. We adjusted, adapted, and kept pushing forward. The fact that we are now the first to host an RV show in Ocean City after 30 years of it being a dream for the town is nothing short of miraculous.
We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and how far we’ve come. We’re creating something truly unique and shaking up the way RV shows are done. Our resilience has paid off, and we’re excited to continue this journey, knowing that each year we’re getting closer to our vision — a truly diverse, inclusive, and thriving event that celebrates the RV lifestyle and brings people together in a meaningful way.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building an audience from scratch, with zero followers and no imagery to work with, is definitely a challenge. At first, it felt like we were just putting out an idea into the void with nothing to sell but our vision. But over time, I learned that the key to growing an audience is telling a compelling story and providing value — not just trying to sell something.
Social media can be tricky. We often start sharing because we’re passionate about something, and maybe one post goes viral. Suddenly, there’s this pressure to keep creating viral content — and that can suck the fun out of it. It’s easy to get caught up in the chase for likes and views, but I’ve had to remind myself that the focus should always be on creating content that solves real problems and speaks to the people who need it.
For me, a big part of that has been leaning into my own journey. I was new to RV life, and Rich, with his decades of experience, became my teacher. I shared the things I was learning, answering my own questions and showing others how to navigate the challenges of RV living. It’s about being relatable and authentic — people want to connect with you on a personal level, not just buy tickets to a show. They want to see how they can solve problems, learn something new, or feel inspired.
I spent a lot of time thinking about the type of customer I wanted to attract — not just in terms of demographics, but also the questions or pain points they might have. I started considering how our show, exhibitors, and content could help answer those questions and provide inspiration. And I realized that I didn’t have to be perfect; I just had to be real and consistent. Social media is a journey, and I’m still learning every day. There are times when I feel burnt out or unfocused, but the key is to stay consistent and true to your brand’s voice.
One important piece of advice I’d give to anyone just starting out is to be authentic. You don’t have to show every “ugly” moment, but people appreciate vulnerability and honesty. They want to know the person behind the brand, and they want to connect with your brand’s personality. The last thing people want is a generic, robotic message from a chatbot. So, show up, be yourself, and engage with your audience in a way that adds value to their lives. It’s a process, and it takes time, but if you focus on solving problems and building genuine relationships, the followers will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ocrvshow.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocrvshow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ocrvshow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ocrvshow
