RV Shows and Sales Post Increases Again in 2011!

RV Shows & RV Dealers Report Continued Growth For Second Year!

According to the Ohio RV Super Show Terry Messersmith, the January show attendance was up over 32% from 2010! This is the second year in a row that the show has posted big increases in attendance. Additionally, the overall mood of the show seemed more positive! Becky Wineman of Kalyumet Camping and Cabins near Cook Forrest noted that the customers at the Ohio RV Super Show had a very upbeat attitude! She stated that, “The way people interacted with us this year was significantly different. They seemed much more positive and upbeat.”

According to the owner of Anderson’s Brochure Distributions Joe Tice, “In general, the RV Shows up and down the East Coast have experienced an increase in attendance and piece distributions over 2010. The exceptions were only marginally different than last year. The significant difference in 2011 is the number of pieces we’re putting out. We’re also getting requests for other states we don’t normally market, which would indicate to me that people are planning to travel to these destinations across the country.”

Randy Giancola of Clem’s RV & Trailer Sales in Ellwood City, RV reported an increase of 30% from 2010. In 2010, Giancola reported his sales had increased 45% from 2009. This year, according to Giancola, appromimately half of his sales were without a unit being traded in, indicating to him that again this year, many may be first time RV buyers!

We also asked Dick Bidwell of Fame RV Sales in Saegertown, PA if they had any similar experiences. Bidwell reported, “Our sales are about even with 2010 at this point, but given the weather we’ve had this year, the fact that we haven’t had the Erie RV Show yet, even that’s a great indication that it’s going to be a good year. He also reported an increase in younger families buying RV’s without a trade-in unit, saying that, “Our demographics in the last couple of years shows an increase of younger families purchasing RVs. It appears to be a growing trend.”

Both Bidwell and Gianola reported that they were seeing good results from the free camping offer that resulted from the Western PCOA Campgrounds partnering with RV Dealerships to provide new RV buyers up to $500.00 of free camping when they purchase a new RV from one of the participating dealerships in 2011! Bidwell went on to add that when they review the details of the free camping offer to the buyers, that they are thrilled with the added benefit of the program. (Details of the free camping giveaway offer can be found at: http://www.brookdalecampground.com/Discounts.html).

According to Tom Shearer of Erie Promotions, the Erie RV Show at the Bayfront convention Center posted an increase in attendance as well. According to reports from the dealers at the show, sales for some dealers were up 10% from 2010. Shearer said, “We believe that this show continues to grow because the setting is perfect for families. Parking is free, and the low entrance fee makes it affordable for people to attend and bring their children with them.”

Tim Chilson, PCOA Region 1 Director and Owner of Brookdale Family Campground, in Meadville stated, “The increase in brochures we handed out at Cleveland Ohio RV Super Show this year was very noticeable increase over last season and was at about the same percentage increase as the show attendance was up! In addition, there were more RV Dealers and RV’s there. The Cleveland RV Super Show continues to grow and expand.”

When asked about why the attendance at RV Shows and sales of RV’s appearing to be up over the last couple of years, Chilson added, “People are getting the message that family camping experiences are both fun and affordable. The second factor is that many families are increasingly trying cabin camping. As the number of people renting camping cabins increases, they quickly realize that they can afford camping, and that it doesn’t require “roughing it”. Many campgrounds are now offering full service cabins which provide luxury living at an affordable price, and going camping includes all the fun at the campground! It sells people on owning an RV. It may also be that people are realizing that camping provides a higher quality family experience then lodging at a motel or hotel because it includes all the fun events at the campground. Finally, it is possible that these people have done tent camping or pop-up camping previously, and have decided to move up to an RV.”

Whatever the reason may be, RV sales were up in 2010 and it appears that they are the same or even better in 2011! That’s a good sign for the economy, RV dealers, Campgrounds, and the families we serve.

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Brookdale Family Campground in Meadville, PA. Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251 or at robyn@brookdalecampground.com