Agenda Set for Upcoming California RV Show

The California RV Show, hosted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), is set to open at the Pomona Fairplex Oct. 14-23.

According to a press release, the event will feature over 800 RVs, 40 manufacturers, 16 California RV dealers, 150 RVs ready for test drive, 40 factory reps giving demos, 60 RV seminars, 45 RV travel seminars, 18 camping cooking shows and two cooking contests. There will also be several new services and promotions at this year’s show.

“Show-goers told us what they wanted and we are delivering it all this year: Our new entrance policy allows unlimited admission for the entire 10-day length of the show for only $10 for adults,” said Tom Gaither, California RV Show director. “Just pay once at the gate and receive your show wristband. Also new is our ‘Drive Your RV to the Show’ and ‘Park for Free’ promotions. This show is your once-a-year, one-stop shopping destination for everything RV.”

Highlights of the show include appearances by Mike Faverman and Pat Mac, stars of “Ultimate Camp Cooking,” a combination comedy and cooking show. They’ll share some favorite recipes and laughs as well as emceeing the Dutch Oven Cook-Off on Monday and Wednesday. Also on tap is award-winning film maker, cinematographer and travel expert John Holod as he discusses the ins and outs of life on the road each day of the show.

The 59th Annual California RV Show runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information visit http://www.CaRVShow.com for discount admission coupons and complete event details.

 

Pomona Show to Offer RV Factory Showcase

One of the exciting new additions to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) 59th California RV Show is the RV Factory Showcase where RV manufacturer representatives will go head-to-head as they give comprehensive feature-and-benefit presentations to show attendees.

According to a press release, these demonstrations will take place in the RV Factory Showcase, a specially-designed 10,000-square-foot area where products from each RV type will be featured Oct. 16-22.

“I think attendees at this year’s show will have a keen interest in what these factory reps have to say. You can research RVs 24/7 on thousands of websites, but meeting directly with an RV factory rep will give buyers insight they’ve never had before – anywhere,” said RVIA Western Show Director Tom Gaither. “This is comparison shopping at its finest, where interested consumers have access to tremendously helpful information as they decide what brand to buy.”

The RV Factory Showcase schedule:

Class A Diesel Motorhomes (Sunday, Oct. 16) – Representatives from Entegra, Fleetwood RV, Itasca, Jayco, Monaco RV, and Winnebago Industries will give 45-minute presentations describing their products in detail. There are also plans to have Spartan and Freightliner Custom Chassis on hand to start off these demonstrations.

Class A Motorhomes (Monday, Oct. 17) – Representatives from Itasca, Fleetwood RV, Monaco RV, Tiffin Motor Homes, and Winnebago Industries will discuss the advantages of their respective gas-powered units and examine reasons for selecting gas versus diesel.

Toy Haulers (Tuesday, Oct. 18) – Toy Hauler trailers are the most popular type of trailer sold in the west, and brands such as Eclipse RV’s Attitude and Stellar; Keystone Fusion; MVP RV Impact; and Northwood Manufacturing Desert Fox will be showcased.

Fifth-wheel Travel Trailers (Wednesday, Oct. 19) – Products on display will include a high-end unit from Carriage; Milan from Eclipse RV; Montana by Keystone; Destiny from MVP RV; Arctic Fox by Northwood Manufacturing; and Lexion from Starcraft RV.

Class B and Class C Motorhomes (Thursday, Oct. 20) – Airstream, Itasca, Jayco, Fleetwood RV, MVP RV, Roadtrek and Winnebago Industries will highlight their products in the type B and type C markets.

Lightweight Travel Trailers (Friday, Oct. 21) – Smaller, lighter, and more fuel-friendly vehicles will be featured, including the Airstream Bambi; MVP RV Sonoma; Skyline Aljo; Starcraft RV Evolution; and, for the first-time ever to show, a new Winnebago-branded trailer.

Folding Camping Trailers and Truck Campers (Saturday, Oct. 22) – Products on display will include the Columbia Northwest Aliner, truck campers from Lance Manufacturing, and the Northwood Arctic Fox. To top the week off, a lightweight Lance 1575 trailer will be given away as the sweepstakes prize.

“This will be an exciting and challenging part of the show,” said Bill Toy, a former Fleetwood executive who will be on-site to coordinate the RV Factory Showcase area. “It will surely be exciting for the customers to see RV factory reps giving these demonstrations but it will be challenging for the reps to convince these guests to buy their brands. They will have to be on their game.”

For a current listing of RV factory representatives and the brands they will be demonstrating go to www.CaRvShow.com and click on “Meet Factory Reps” button. To see RV factory reps discussing their upcoming demonstrations, go to the California RV Show Facebook page.

The 59th California RV Show takes place Oct. 14–23 at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. For more information about the show, contact Tom Gaither, RVIA’s western RV show director, at (951) 274-0696; cell – (951) 567-3608; email – tgaither@rvia.org, or Twitter – rvexpert.

 

RVIA Names Gaither Western Show Director

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) has announced that Tom Gaither has been named as Western Show Director. He will be responsible for producing RVIA’s California RV Show, the largest and longest-running RV show in the state.

In his previous position with the Affinity Group Inc. (AGI), Gaither launched and directed the Affinity Events show division that grew from one consumer show to 35 events across the country.  He has also held marketing and sales positions with several RV companies, prior to joining Affinity in 2005.

“We are excited to add Tom to our team,” said RVIA President Richard Coon. “His RV industry experience and expertise in producing RV retail shows will be an asset to RVIA’s efforts to make the California RV Show the best that it can be,”

“I’m really looking forward to using my show background at the upcoming 59th Annual California RV Show and to find ways to improve the event each year,” said Gaither. “I’ve admired this show from a distance and am now pleased to be a part of its future.”

Gaither replaces Marsha McInnis, who retired from the association at the end of 2010.

The 59th Annual California RV Show is scheduled for Oct. 14 – 23 at the LA County Fair, Hotel & Exposition Complex in Pomona, Calif.