10-Day California RV Show’s Opening Oct. 15

The 58th Annual California RV Show, kicking off Oct. 15 at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., offers consumers the chance to see the newest and best in RVs and RV products while also learning more about RV travel. Set to run through Oct. 24, the 10-day event is the largest consumer RV show on the West Coast, RVIA Today Express reported.

“With the rebound in the RV market and heavy demand for display space at this year’s event, we’re looking forward to having a very successful show,” said Richard Coon president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). “The Southern California area remains one of the top RV markets in the country and a strong show will be yet another boost for the industry.”

This year’s show will feature RV manufacturers and supplier exhibits stretching across 450,000 square feet of exhibit space. More than 25,000 consumers are expected to visit this year’s show to view the more than 800 RVs that will be on display.

In addition, show attendees will also be able to take advantage of popular daily seminars to boost their knowledge about RV travel and camping. Well-known RV driving school owner and instructor Dennis Hill will once again offer his popular seminar “Yes, You Can Drive an RV.” He will also lead a session on “Traveling to Alaska.”

There will also be seminars on “All About RVing” and “So, You Want to Full Time?” from Ron Jones. Jones is a long-time RVer and author who has contributed to several RV enthusiasts magazines.

“The show is a fabulous forum to learn about RVing,” said Coon. “It gives both experienced RVers and those just developing an interest the ability to see an incredible variety of vehicles and gather a lot of information about RV ownership.”

The California RV Show also features live music, appearances from well-known radio and entertainment personalities, and other attractions, including RV historian David Woodworth displaying a vintage 1931 RV during the opening weekend. The 2nd Annual Classic Car Show will also take place that weekend with over 100 classic autos on display along with the vehicle owners who travel in RVs to car competitions throughout the nation.

There will also be sweepstakes prize drawings, including a truck camper provided by Lance Camper Manufacturing Corp. and a travel trailer by MVP RV. Other prizes will include vacation packages to Catalina Island and Laughlin, Nev.

For more information on the 58th California RV Show visit www.carvshow.com or call RVIA’s Western Region Office at (951) 274-0696.

California Show Celebrates Century of RVing

California residents will be eligible to compete for up to $100 in prizes in conjunction with the 58th Annual California RV Show, scheduled for Oct. 15-24 at the Fairplex in Pomona, and the RV centennial.

Show sponsors are running a “Best RVing Memory” essay contest, inviting residents to write up to a 100-word essay on their most memorable or fun experience in an RV. Winners will be featured in the show’s program book  and will receive $100 each and a complimentary family admission to the show.

Entries must be received by Sept. 1 by the California RV Show, 6835 Aldea Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406 or by e-mail to PennyNicolai@aol.com,

Winners will be notified by mail and e-mail on September.

For more information, go to the California RV Show website at www.carvshow.com.

The show is sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).

RVIA: 2010 Show Space Demand Rebounding

As yet another sign that the RV industry appears to be recovering from a major slump, space reservations for the annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky., and the retail California RV Show in Pomona, Calif., are running well ahead of last year.

In fact, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), which owns both shows, reports that it will reserve 680,000 square feet of space at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) for the Louisville Show Nov. 29-Dec.1, up from 548,000 square feet last year but still down from the peak years.

”We already are 20% ahead of what we ended with last year,” said Mary ”Mike” Hutya, RVIA vice president of meetings and show, adding that 70 manufacturers have booked space.

The deadline for manufacturers’ requests for Louisville Show space was Friday (April 2), although RVIA will continue to take reservations as space allows. There will not be a space allocation draw because all manufacturers’ requests for space can be accommodated, Hutya reported.

The deadline to reserve space at a discounted rate at the Fairplex in Pomona for the Oct. 15-24 California RV Show was March 29 and Hutya said reservations were 30% ahead of last year.

Because of the demand for space in Louisville, RVIA will add supplier booths to Freedom Hall and manufacturer displays in the KEC’s West Wing. Neither locations was used for the 2009 show.

”We plan to be on both sides of the building and one exhibit hall,” Hutya said. ”If I get a floorplan for exhibits that is close to what the final plan will be, we probably will send another notice to members to tell them that some additional space may be available. There will be some changes by the time all is said and done.”

Recreational park trailer manufactures have been invited to display units at Louisville, all be in once adjacent area, probably in the KEC’s West Wing. ”We have no plans to use Broadbent Arena of the pavilion,” Hutya said, adding that 11 park model builders have already reserved space.

Individual park model displays last year were distributed throughout the South and North wings and the East Hall along with displays of traditional RVs.

RVIA Offers Exhibit Space for California RV Show

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) is now offering manufacturer exhibit space for the 2010 California RV Trade Show, scheduled for Oct. 15 – 24 in Pomona, Calif., according to a story in the current issue of RVIA Today Express.

The California RV Show is one of the most important retail shows in the country, providing exhibitors unparalleled access to buyers in one of the top RV markets in the country. The event draws approximately 30,000 potential customers with 90% between the ages of 23-65 years old with an average household income of $60,000.

“Exhibitors can talk to more people face to face during the course of the 10-day show than they may see in months on their dealer lots,” said Mike Hutya, RVIA vice president of meetings and shows. “And, these are solid prospects who have an interest in owning an RV, have buying power, and plan to spend money.”

Hutya added that the association is hard at work to ensure the event continues to be a must-attend event for both exhibitors and attendees.

The California RV Show will have a comprehensive promotional plan targeting consumers, including:

• Commercials on network and cable television and radio.
• Advertising in top newspapers and magazines.
• An aggressive public relations outreach.
• A targeted direct mail campaign.

Members interested in exhibiting at the California RV Show should contact RVIA’s Western Region Office at (951) 274-0696.

RVIA: Strong Consumer Interest at California RV Show

Many RV dealers reported encouraging sales numbers and strong consumer interest at this year’s California RV Show, held Oct. 16 – 25 at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., according to a release from the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA)

Nearly 19,200 consumers attended the show this year, down 9% from last year’s 21,123. But Marsha McInnis, RVIA’s western regional show director, reported that while the crowds were smaller than in previous years, exhibitors and attendees at the 57th California RV Show were enthusiastic. “Consumer interest in the RV lifestyle remained high this year, and dealers reported strong sales despite the smaller show,” she said.

“What a great way to end a tough year,” said Coula Ringgold, owner of Banning RV Discount Center in Banning, Calif. “In spite of the economic conditions, we saw plenty of eager, qualified consumers and I’m happy to report we had a terrific show.” She added, “Although traffic count was down the optimism of the consumers was up, and the number of consumers still looking to purchase RVs makes me confident about the future of the industry.”

Steve Richardson of Richardson’s RV in Riverside, Calif., echoed Ringgold’s sentiments, saying, “We were pleasantly surprised by the number of serious consumers we saw at this year’s show. Though attendance was down, those consumers who came to this year’s show certainly came to buy.”

This year’s show theme was “It’s All About Fun” and promotions highlighted that theme. With many American families looking to save money on vacations in these tough economic times, show promoters worked to emphasize the fact that RVing is still less expensive than flying or driving, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants, and provides quality family time.

RVIA Vice President of Meetings and Shows Mike Hutya said, “Although it’s been a difficult year for consumer shows like the California RV Show, exhibitors reported they were seeing very qualified buyers at this year’s show.”

RVIA President Richard Coon said, “RVers are some of the most dedicated consumers out there – and I am pleased with the enthusiasm reported among attendees at this year’s show.”

RV Industry Encouraged by Business at Pomona Show

The crowds and exhibits were smaller than last year, but manufacturers reported brisk sales at the California RV Show that ended Sunday (Oct. 24) at the Fairplex in Pomona.

”We saw a definite upswing in retail traffic,” said Bryan Walczak, product manager for Heartland Recreational Vehicles LLC’s Elk Ridge and Big Country fifth-wheels. ”The biggest thing that we sensed this year over last is that there were more qualified buyers than people who were coming just to look and see.”

Walczak reported that Heartland’s dealer — McMahon’s RV, Los Angeles — sold a considerable number of the Elkhart, Ind.,-based manufacturer’s fifth-wheels during the show.

Attendance at the 11-day Pomona Show was 19,194, a drop of 9% from 2008. And spacewise, this year’s show booked 404,360 square feet of space compared to 857,904 last year, according to Mary ” Mike” Hutya, vice president of meetings and shows for the sponsoring Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).

And 21 dealer were represented at the show. ”I was pleased that the dealers started reporting right away that they were making sales and that they were seeing more qualified buyers,” Hutya said.

”We did well; we were up over last year,” said Mark Rosenbaum, sales director for Mike Thompson’s RV, Santa Fe Springs, which represented Keystone, Itasca, Tiffin, Forest River Georgetown and Fleetwood brands at Pomona.

”We didn’t know what to expect. We had better buyers and we saw much better credit than we saw at Pomona last year. People came in with the intent to buy.”

”It was a tough crowd, but we were able to hold our own,” said David Middleton, Gulf Stream Coach Inc.’s national sales manager for motorized. ”We sold a few. It’s all about price right now.”

The Nappanee, Ind.-based manufacturer’s dealer — RV Peddler, Bakersfield, Calif. — displayed 10 Gulf Stream Conquest Class C and Montaj Class A motorhomes.

Sid Johnson, marketing director for Jayco Inc., Middlbury, Ind., said it was apparent that attendance was down.

Nonetheless, he said, Richardson’s RV Center, Los Angeles, sold more than twice the Jayco units than it did at the 2008 Pomona Show.

”The people who did attend the show were very interested in buying,” Johnson said. ”The interesting thing is that interest was across the board — from motorhomes to folding camping trailers. There didn’t seem to be any product type that was moving faster than any other. It was pretty encouraging.”

Pomona RV Show Showcases RV Industry Optimism

The largest RV show on the West Coast has shrunk in size, but the builders of trailers, toy haulers and motor homes who remain in business parked their homes-on-wheels in Pomona, Calif., optimistic that the worst may be in their rear view mirrors, according to the Riverside, Calif. Press-Enterprise.

On display until Oct. 25 during the California RV Show at the Fairplex in Pomona sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) are rows of recreational vehicles from towable trailers for $30,000 to veritable tour buses equipped with fold-out balconies and slide-out flat-screen TVs. Those, joked 61-year-old Jerry Presson of Fullerton, were for an RVer’s wife who wanted a hotel room, not a camping trip.

He takes two trips a month in his 1991 Winnebago motor home and plans to journey “a lot more” now that he’s retired. He was shopping for a Class A diesel motor home on Friday.

”I was going to buy one last year, but then the economy turned,” he said, so he stayed with his job as a technician for an aerospace firm until he was forced to retire this year.

The recession severely curtailed motor home sales as banks were skittish to lend to customers and RV dealers alike. Manufacturers went under; dealers closed.

Nonetheless, Bill Gibson, president of Jag Mobile Solutions based in Howe, Ind., decided to get into the RV business. With his first Galileo trailer model — a solitary vehicle parked next to the fence across from a wall of RVs — Gibson sees it as the perfect time to come into the RV market with something new. His 5,000-pound trailer starting at $30,000 has room for four adults to sleep, stereo surround-sound and a solar panel on the roof.

His company still makes custom-ordered portable restrooms, showers and trailers for films. As for RVs, “I only need a very small number of people to buy,” he said. “I have time to wait.”

Dick Graham, regional sales manager for Forest River Inc., Elkhart, Ind., sat surrounded by his company’s 2010 model motor homes.

“We’re eternal optimists,” he said. The economy that felled RV giants, most recently Riverside-based Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. (now owned by a New York equity firm and renamed Fleetwood RV Inc.), Weekend Warrior Trailers Inc. and National RV Inc.,  has left the market open to those remaining, Graham said.

Tom Powell, chief executive officer of Riverside-based Pacific Coachworks Inc., showed off his company’s use of plywood instead of particle board inside its brand of Tango trailers. After stopping production and laying off most of his workforce, Powell ramped up production again earlier this year.

He said his firm has an advantage being one of the few RV makers left in the Inland region — others include Skyline in Hemet and Eclipse Recreational Vehicles in Riverside — since local buyers can rest easy with a factory nearby if a fix is needed.

John Collins, 34, a feature film art director from La Crescenta, has been to the Pomona RV show before but hadn’t made a purchase.

This year he said he was willing to spend $75,000 to $125,000 for a motor home for his family that had bunk beds for his 2-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, and anything but easy-to-stain white carpeting.

“We have to find one we absolutely love to spend that much money,” he said.

California Show to Draw Budget-minded Consumers

The 57th Annual California RV Show, sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), will kick off Friday (Oct. 16) at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., offering consumers access to the newest and best in RVs and RV products.continues to be a popular place for RVers to visit and find show information as well as tips on how RVers are adjusting to higher fuel costs, how driving an RV is different but not difficult, how RVs have less of a carbon footprint than air/hotel travel, and more – all designed to support RV sales and show attendance.

 Set to run through Oct. 25, the California RV Show is the largest consumer show on the West Coast, according to RVIA Express.

This year’s show theme is “It’s All About Fun” and highlights that with an RV you take your resort with you. With many American families looking to save money on vacations, show promoters have been working to highlight the fact that RVing is still less expensive than flying or driving, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. RVing also provides quality family time.

Seminars at the show will help attendees select the right RV and provide tips for full timing and extended RV travel.

One of the most popular seminars from previous shows that will be continued this year is ”Yes, You Can Drive an RV,” while ”green” RVer and RVIA media spokesman Brian Brawdy also will be featured in a special green camping display at the center of the show.

“Despite the tough economic conditions, I think we are going to have a wonderful show,” said Marsha McInnis, RVIA’s Western Region show director. “Enthusiasm is high among exhibitors and consumers alike.”

The show’s website, www.carshow.com,

RVIA Adds Incentives to Display at California Show

California RV Show scene

 

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) 57th Annual California RV Show, the largest consumer RV show on the West Coast, is just around the corner.  The “Fairplex,” Los Angeles County’s Fair and Exposition building in Pomona, Calif., will once again host manufacturers and suppliers displaying the latest in RVs, products, and accessories during the 10-day event Oct. 16-25.

Occurring just as the nation’s economy is expected to begin a recovery, the California RV Show could usher in a strong start to 2010 for exhibitors, according to an RVIA release.

Mike Hutya, RVIA vice president of meetings and shows, said, “There is no better way for RV manufacturers to kick off a strong 2010 than by exhibiting at the California RV Show, one of the most important retail shows in the country. California is one of the nation’s top RV markets and each year the California RV Show draws thousands of potential consumers to see the latest in RV products.”

The show generally draws approximately 30,000 consumers – 90% of whom are between the ages of 23-65 years old with an average household income of $60,000.

At its June 11 meeting, RVIA’s board of directors voted to add incentives to manufacturers who exhibit at this year’s show.  Those manufacturers that purchased space at the California RV Show by March 30 now have the ability to purchase up to 50% more space at a rate of $2 per square foot on a first-come, first-served basis.

To give manufacturers flexibility while ensuring that the products on display represent the newest in RV innovation, the board voted that vehicles to be displayed at this year’s show are limited to each manufacturer’s current and previous model year, not including 2008 models, and the previous model year may only consist of up to 50% of the total number of units.

The board also voted to increase the availability of “be-back” tickets to manufacturers and dealers exhibiting at the show and added an additional dollar admission day to the event, bringing the total number of “dollar days” to four.

Hutya continued, “RVIA is working very hard to ensure that the California RV Show continues to be a must-attend event for both exhibitors and attendees.  This year’s show will have an updated look and feel that will energize our exhibitors while targeting consumers who might be new to RVing.”

For more information on the California show, visit www.carvshow.com or call RVIA’s Western Region Office at (951) 274-0696.

Accessory Segment Airs on ‘RV Buddies Online’

New “RV Buddies Online” content this week includes a segment starring Robert where he discovers a number of accessories at a California RV show.

While Mark and Elise continue to walk the show, Robert disappears and discovers some cool, fun and practical accessories ideal for every RVer.

Robert stumbles upon the Hobie Kayak, CordPro cord and hose reels, and X-Treme Scooters – ECO friendly gas and battery powered scooters.

This is the first of two accessory segments scheduled to air on “RV Buddies.” The next segment is planned to air the first week in July.

Additional content on the site include a news section with topical RV reporting, and a tech section with reviews of products of interest to the RV community.

Meanwhile, “RV Buddies” is soliciting content from OEMs and related companies and for inclusion on the site. Reach the show via e-mails Mark@RVBuddiesonline.com, or call at (818) 823-6160 for special coverage to support product launch and marketing schedules.

“RV Buddies” is an RV adventure-lifestyle show featuring reviews of RVs, accessories and gear. The show chronicles Mark, Elise, Robert, and their two RV Buddies, Toby and Alex, as they visit America’s most beautiful campgrounds and resorts. The program is distributed as an Internet Television production on its own website, on Apple iTunes and through other distribution channels.

For more information, advertising, reviews or other marketing opportunities, contact Summers at Mark@RVBuddiesOnline.com. Be our friend on www.Facebook.com - search: RV Buddies.  Tweet them at www.Twitter.com/RVBuddiesOnline.

« Previous Page — Next Page »