The Tampa Bay Summer RV Show in early June opened to heavy rains. The show drew just under 7,000 people over the four days.
Dealers reported brisk sales at the first public RV show to take place in Tampa since the SuperShow in January, FRTVA said.
“The crowds have been incredible,” said Dennis Charon from Lazydays. “A lot of younger families are looking into RVing as a travel option which is great for the future. They have done their homework as they are coming in and asking for specific units. We are trying to accommodate this surge in interest the best we can.”
Lazydays RV Center, Gerzeny’s RV World, General RV Center, RV One Superstores and Clearwater Motorcoaches exhibited at the show.
More than 300 new RVs were on display. FRVTA said the show filled the grounds outside and the area inside the Expo and Entertainment Halls.
Dealers reported more people turning to RVs to travel. The majority are first-time buyers getting into the RV lifestyle for the first time. Because many buyers are coming in at entry-level price points, FRVTA said smaller travel trailers, single-axle and lighter-weight units sold quickly.
“Part of the drop in attendance from last year’s summer show is due to the weather, gas prices and the falling stock market,” FRVTA Show Director Patty Flanagan said. “The dealers and suppliers that I talked to were very happy with the show and would participate again next year. Having most of the show indoors in air conditioning made people stay at the show longer. It also helped to have some place for them to go when it did rain. Most of the attendees were local so the bad weather really did not slow them down much.”
