Caravan industry celebrates leaders at CIV awards
600-plus gather at glittery Hall of Fame caravan awards night at Melbourne's Crown CasinoThe 2026 Caravan Industry Victoria Hall of Fame Industry Awards brought the sector together in Melbourne, highlighting top-performing brands such as Mountain Trail RV against the backdrop of an industry facing pressure.
More than 620 attendees gathered at Crown Palladium for the annual event in late-June, not only for the awards and celebration but also to raise funds in support of MND Victoria.
As a first-time attendee, the event felt like more than a night of celebration, but rather a night to come together as an industry, knowing you are not alone.
Dealers, founders, advertisers and suppliers from across the caravan and camping trade filled the room, and there was a genuine sense of connection throughout the evening. Conversations flowed easily and revolved around the passion for caravanning and the lifestyle it supports.
The party atmosphere stood in contrast to the challenges currently facing the sector. Recent events, including the administration of major Melbourne-based group Network RV, point to declining demand driven by cost-of-living pressures and broader economic uncertainty.
Future focussed
Inside the ballroom, awardees spoke of a focus on the future for the caravanning industry.
There was strong energy around attracting younger Australians and first-time buyers, with many in the room discussing how to make caravanning more accessible.
That shift feels well placed, with the freedom and flexibility of the lifestyle continuing to resonate as more travellers look for alternative ways to explore Australia, with international travel still out of reach for some younger Australians.
On the awards front, Mountain Trail RV (although its headquarters are located in Albury, NSW, its product is listed in Victorian markets) emerged as the headline winner in manufacturing (its second major award in the space of a few weeks).
The winners are...
Mountain Trail led a broad group of businesses and individuals recognised across the industry, including:
- Employee of the Year – Scott Dudley, Nova Caravans
- Manager of the Year – Christopher Valentino, A Grade Caravan Repairs
- Young Achiever Award – Ethan Pole, Caravan HQ
- Col Parrot Media Award – Ezytrail Group
- Charlie Tebb Service to Industry Award – Bill Deralas, Royal Flair
- Hall of Fame Inductee (Individual) – Peter Ennals
- Hall of Fame Inductee (Business) – Cobram Caravans
- Excellence in Retail – Award RV Superstore
- Excellence in Industry Supplier – Australian RV Accessories
- Excellence in Component Manufacturing – Arizon Off-Grid
- Excellence in Dealership – Southern Design RV Ballarat
- Excellence in Caravan Manufacturing – Mountain Trail RV
The evening also paid tribute to former CIV president Tony Briant, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in early-2025 and passed away in November, by holding silent auctions and a stage auction for rare artworks to raise funds to support MND Victoria and its ongoing work.
Also recognised on the night were Melbourne manufacturers Lotus Caravans and Urban Caravans, which recently joined a handful of other local brands in the exclusive RV Master Manufacturer club.
The road ahead
Despite a challenging market, the mood at the awards suggests an industry intent on evolving rather than slowing down.
With a mix of established names and emerging players recognised on the night, the focus now shifts to sustaining that momentum and turning strong industry connection into long-term growth.
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