ELKHART COUNTY ― They came from all corners of the United States and Canada. Hundreds of RV dealers are in Goshen with a new sense of optimism.

Dutchmen Manufacturing, Inc. is giving them a look at the new direction the company is taking. Everyone hopes the worst of the economic storm is over.

“We've refocused our whole entire company,” said Don Clark, Dutchmen president.

Dutchmen has rewritten its playbook. On Wednesday, hundreds of dealers got their first chance to see it.

“We have to build a better mousetrap,” Clark said. “We have to put more value and innovate features in our products.”

Some of those innovations include a built-in outdoor kitchen, lights on the steps, and even a simulated fireplace. But the biggest change is that Dutchman has narrowed the amount of brands they make in order to be more cost effective.

“We went from 18 different brands to 7 brands,” said Clark, “and what we've done is, we've channeled all of our different resources into these 7 brands. We've changed our entire company, the internal structure, as well as every single brand. We have changed from the frame up.

Dealers from around the country in attendance at the open house say they are faring as well as could be expected in this current economy, and are hoping that the show is a sign of good things to come .

“I think our area, the Seattle area, hasn't been hit as hard by the unemployment and the housing market,” said Seattle, Washington dealer Deborah Grover. “And I think that next year we're going to see a little bit of an upturn.

“The east coast has been very tough over the last year,” said New York dealer Dave McMann. “Business has picked up from January on. It’s exciting to see the business coming back.”

“In Florida we have a lot of snow birds come down, so our season actually starts now,” said dealer Frank Crum. “So between now and April is really a great time for us. So with having a new fresh product, the right season, the right time, it’s going to be a great year I think.”

Dealers saw 25 of the company's new towables and fifth wheels. Dutchmen hired 50 workers earlier this year to ramp up production.