RV is in our blood since 1949

RVing is in Robert Remillard’s blood, which comes as no surprise considering he was practically born into the industry. He was perfectly bilingual at age five, thanks to his father’s insistence that he play with the kids at Hollywood Beach Trailer Park while on family Florida trips. He remembers dad’s dealership in St-Luc, Quebec. Even as a young boy, he loved the business, and would stick around the sales office until tolerance levels were tested, and he was finally sent out to play. “A farmer once showed up there, dressed scraggily, and with mud all over his boots,” he recalls. “The other sales people said he didn’t have a nickel, and avoided him. My dad came right out and sold him the biggest trailer on the lot.”

Behind every man...

While it’s evident that Robert’s ambitious drive has been inspired by his father, and brother Larry, who passed away last summer, he also credits much of his success to his wife, Carole, who holds up the administrative end of Centre du camping Remillard Inc. in St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. “Some people say it’s hard to work with their counterpart, but it can be done successfully. Open communication is a key factor, and so is the ability to separate business from the rest of your life. When we’re going home, we don’t talk about the office.” Married for 23 of the 28 years they’ve been together, the couple launched the dealership, and have worked as a strong team throughout the years. Although dedicated to his career, Robert is very much a family man, and supports his children in their endeavours. His son Marc has followed in his football steps; he’s been drafted by the University of Laval in Quebec City, as an all-star wide receiver. Daughter Julie is working on her Masters degree of Business Intelligence at the University of Montreal – and is, her father says, a ‘gazelle’ in flag football, representing Canada in world competitions.

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Nerves of steel

What really sets Robert apart is his nerves of steel. “I’ve listened and grown with the demand of the public,” he explains. “I give more constructive criticism to the industry than anyone. I get people to tell me what’s wrong with an RV, and I in turn tell the manufacturer, for example, to send its engineering people camping instead of to hotels. Then they can come out with new, innovative ideas on inside constructions.” Part of Robert’s mission is to give back, not only to industry, but also to society. “This wonderful business of RVing is very profitable for all of us. Time should be given back to society. People should get involved.” Involved with fundraising he is, from his early football initiatives to the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus and various associations. He raised $25,000 for the St-Justine Children’s Hospital a few years ago, and has recently matched that amount for a Meals for Kids campaign. With the RVDA, he collected $14,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation; this is an annual project for him. Considering he began fundraising just five years ago, the fact that’s he’s summoned up more than $80,000, is impressive.

One of the industry's finest

Tout en aidant le premier président de la RVDA du Québec, Pierre Jutras, et Eleanor Powers (RVDA du Canada), Robert a joué un rôle crucial dans le démarrage de l'ACVRQ du Québec. Au cours des deux premières années, il a recruté 60 membres. «Le moteur», dit-il, «est d'amener les concessionnaires à travailler ensemble pour résoudre de nombreux problèmes. Nous sommes certainement plus puissants en tant que groupe. » Nommé pour représenter le Conseil RVDA du Canada, il a apporté de nombreuses questions à la table, contribuant à divers projets, dont la création du Salon des véhicules récréatifs de Montréal. «Son grand succès est entre autre en raison de la RVDA du Canada et la RVDA du Québec», dit-il en parlant du Salon.  Après toutes ses années de leadership et de détermination, Robert s’est vu recevoir le prix du concessionnaire de l’année au Canada en 2005 ! Un honneur qu’il se rappellera longtemps…

Towards the future

Along with helping the first president of the RVDA of Quebec, Pierre Jutras, and Eleanor Powers (RVDA of Canada), Robert was instrumental in the start of the ACVRQ of Quebec. Within the first two years, he recruited 60 members. “The driving force,” he says, “is to get the dealers to work together to solve many problems. You’re definitely more powerful as a group.” Then, appointed to represent the RVDA board of Canada, he brought numerous issues to the table, contributing to various projects including the establishment of the Montreal RV Show. “It went on to become a great success because of the RVDA of Canada and RVDA of Quebec,” he offers.