The Renegades
National Board · Working Group

Shaping the next chapter of the Australian caravan industry.

Charter
Support the National Board in advancing the group's three strategic pillars and delivering on its long-term objectives.
Composition
Ten industry leaders spanning manufacturing, retail, technology, insurance, marketing and park management.
Established
May 2026

The Total RV Customer Experience

The end-to-end RV journey, from purchase to park to repeat purchase. Every touchpoint matters.

Industry Innovation

Anticipating the shifts in product, energy, technology and customer expectations.

Industry Leadership

Investing in the people who will lead the industry through the next decade.

01
Amanda Dempster
Agency Owner
Milk Creative (Create Milk)
10 years in the
caravan industry

Amanda is an international award-winning brand designer, tourism and AI marketing expert, and owner of Holiday Brands, a marketing and branding agency specialising in the caravan industry. With more than 20 years of experience, she helps businesses lift their exposure, strengthen their brands, and grow direct bookings and sales.

Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the Gerry Ryan OAM INNOVATION Award (2025) for her pioneering work in AI within the industry and the Future Leader Award (2025) from the Caravan Industry of Australia, as well as an A'Design International Design Award for Visual Communication (2022–23). Amanda also owns Stanthorpe Holiday Park and is a proud advocate for independent operators in the industry.

02
James Field
General Manager, Commercial & Product
Market Direct Group
20 years in the
caravan industry

James is General Manager of Commercial and Product at Market Direct Group (MDG), a leader in adventure-ready campers and caravans based in Coopers Plains, Queensland. With nearly 20 years of experience in the caravan and RV sector, James began his career in hands-on workshop roles before moving into technical training and compliance.

Prior to joining MDG in 2021, he served as Chief Technical Officer for the Caravan Industry Association of Australia. At MDG he leads commercial strategy, product development, and technical standards across the company's brands in Australia and the US. He was named an honouree in RV PRO magazine's '40 under 40' Class of 2024.

03
Blake Gray
Sales Manager
Viscount, Concept & Newlands Caravans
5 years in the
caravan industry

Blake Gray is the Sales Manager for Viscount, Concept and Newlands Caravans, based in Melbourne, Victoria.

After completing a degree in Journalism in 2014, Blake realised his future lay elsewhere and relocated to London in search of new opportunities and experiences. It was there that he discovered a passion for sales and quickly developed an appreciation for the customer journey and relationship-building aspects of the profession. After 18 months overseas, he returned to Australia and joined the retail side of the family business, the Concept Group, in 2017.

Today, Blake oversees most operational activities, supporting a national network of 17 dealerships across Australia and New Zealand. He is passionate about promoting the caravanning lifestyle and is committed to helping shape the next generation of leaders within the RV industry, with a focus on continually improving the customer experience.

In recognition of his contribution to the industry, Blake was nominated for the Future Leaders Award by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia in 2025. In 2026, the Concept Group was proudly recognised as the recipient of the RVMAP People's Choice Manufacturer of the Year Award, reflecting the company's commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

04
Jack Hillis
Managing Director & General Manager
Wagga Caravan Centre
10 years in the
caravan industry

Jack Hillis is the third-generation owner of Wagga Caravan Centre, continuing a family business legacy in Wagga Wagga that began in 1967 when the Hillis family established Hillis Ford. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Tom and father Mark, Jack leads a 25-strong team across three key areas: sales, service, and parts.

Since 2008, Wagga Caravan Centre sells quality Australian-made caravans and campers, backed by the expertise of a family that understands the road and the people who travel it. The service department is one of the largest caravan repair workshops in the country, with technicians completing more than 30 jobs every week. The parts division stocks one of the nation's most extensive ranges of caravan spare parts and accessories.

Jack's leadership and customer-first approach saw him named a Future Leader Finalist at the National Caravan Conference.

05
Ben Johnson
General Manager
K-Mac Powerheads
6 years in the
caravan industry

Ben is General Manager at K-Mac Powerheads, Australia's leading provider of powerheads and power solutions for caravan parks. An Australian manufacturer based in Geelong, Victoria, K-Mac has been designing and building power supply pillars for caravan parks for more than 60 years, with an enduring focus on electrical safety and compliance with Australian Standards. The company is a foundation contributor to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and a long-standing supporter of state park associations nationwide.

Ben is highly regarded across the sector and was awarded the David Pratt Unsung Hero Award by Caravan & Residential Parks Victoria, which recognises individuals who go above and beyond to positively impact the industry. He was also a finalist for the 2026 Caravan Industry Awards.

A frequent speaker at industry events, Ben shares his expertise on the emerging power challenges facing caravan and holiday parks — including EV and e-bike charging requirements and the practicalities of delivering safe, future-ready infrastructure. His willingness to share knowledge and support operators has made him a trusted voice as the industry navigates a period of rapid change.

06
Ben McInnes
Managing Director
MHIA Insurance
11 years in the
caravan industry

Ben is the Managing Director of MHIA Insurance, a specialist home and contents insurer based in Tuggerah, NSW. MHIA provides bespoke insurance solutions for residents of land lease communities, manufactured home estates, permanent cabins, and on-site caravans across Australia.

Ben brings over 16 years of experience in the insurance industry to his role. Under his leadership, the company has continued to thrive and strengthen its position as a leading insurer within the land lease and residential park sector. Ben's professional achievements have been widely recognised, including being named ANZIIF's Young Insurance Professional of the Year in 2025 and receiving the Industry Leader Award (Under 40) from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia in 2024.

07
Amber-Jane Pinner
Dealer Principal
Snowy River Caravans Launceston
15 years in the
caravan industry

Amber-Jane brings more than 15 years' experience in the caravan industry, having begun her career as a receptionist and progressed through a broad range of roles including customer service, warranty management, purchasing, sales, business development and dealership management. She is currently Dealer Principal in Launceston, Tasmania.

Her experience spans both manufacturing and dealership environments, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the industry from build through to handover. Amber-Jane is a strong advocate for collaboration between businesses and industry stakeholders, and is focused on contributing to the future growth and professionalism of the caravan industry, particularly in Tasmania.

She was awarded the 2025 George Pantazopoulos Young Achiever Award, presented by Caravan Industry Victoria, and serves as Treasurer of Caravanning Tasmania.

08
Sam Reynolds
Founder, Owner & Director
Offline Campers
5 years in the
caravan industry

Sam is the Founder, Owner and Director of Offline Campers, an Australian manufacturer of premium off-road camper trailers and hybrid caravans based in Elizabeth, South Australia. With a background in engineering, Sam started the company with his wife Jenna after finding that existing camper trailers didn't meet their family's needs for simple comforts and luxury.

He used his skills to design and build his own camper trailers, launching his first product, the RAKER, in 2018 after two years of research and development. The company's innovative designs have been highly successful, with the DOMINO model winning Most Innovative and Best Hybrid Camper at the 2021 Brisbane Camper Trailer of the Year awards.

09
Erin Stevenson
VP Growth & Client Experience
Newbook
13 years in the
caravan industry

Erin is the VP of Growth and Client Experience at Newbook, a global hospitality technology platform supporting more than 3,000 properties worldwide. Having joined the business over 13 years ago as one of its earliest team members, Erin has played a key role in scaling the company from a startup into an international market leader across the caravan, camping, and accommodation sectors. Her leadership has spanned customer experience, operational strategy, international expansion, and two major acquisitions, including helping grow the business from a ~$50M acquisition to a $250M global exit within 2 years.

Recognised as one of the leading voices in the caravan and camping industry, Erin was awarded the 2026 Industry Leadership Award by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia. She is passionate about innovation, digital transformation, and developing future talent through initiatives such as the Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program, while regularly contributing to industry conferences, panels, and leadership discussions across the sector.

10
Michael Valentino
Managing Director
Crusader Caravans Melbourne
13 years in the
caravan industry

Michael is the Managing Director and driving force behind Crusader Caravans Melbourne, a multi-award winning dealership and manufacturer of fully insulated, Australian-made composite caravans based in Campbellfield, Victoria.

A passionate caravan expert, Michael is actively involved in all aspects of the business, from assisting customers with their dream vans to representing the company at major events like the Melbourne Caravan & Camping Leisurefest. He is frequently featured in promotional videos and podcasts, including the TOW & TELL Podcast and the Crusader Caravans Melbourne Podcast. Michael works alongside his sister, Paris, in the family business.