For Immediate Release:
CONTACT: Mike Wilbraham, Show Producer (616) 447-2860
Robin Luymes, Luymes Public Relations (616) 550-6585
Record Attendance at Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show
Signals upturn in overall economy
Fourth annual show draws 16 percent more than previous best show
and RV dealers report sales up over 2009 show
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 19, 2010 – The RV industry’s 100th Anniversary isn’t the only reason for area RV dealers to celebrate. They’re also celebrating a recovery in consumer interest in and sales of RVs, as indicated by record attendance and strong sales at the Fourth Annual Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show in DeVos Place this past weekend.
“We were a little nervous coming into this show because we didn’t know what to expect,” said ShowSpan Vice President and Show Producer Mike Wilbraham. “We knew sales of RVs were beginning to recover as early as last summer, but this show really demonstrates that the economy is strengthening. The RV industry typically is among the first to feel the effects of a recession, but they’re also among the first to experience an upswing.”
Attendance was strong throughout the show, with overall attendance topping the previous best by more than 16 percent and topping last year’s RV show by more than 45 percent. More important, of course, was that dealers were reporting strong sales that far exceeded last year’s results.
“Everyone was expecting sales to be good for smaller camper trailers, but the real surprise was that motor home sales were strong, too,” said Wilbraham.
Area RV dealers, including All Seasons RV, American RV, Camp America RV Centre, Caswell Company, EggCamper Inc., General RV Center, Holland Motor Homes, Midway RV Center, RV World, TerryTown Travel Center, Vacationland Sales, Veurink’s RV Center, and Woodland Travel Center, were showing 250 units representing dozens of RV manufacturers and brands.
“This was one of the best shows we’ve had in the past four or five years,” said Ron Neff, owner of American RV.
Loren Baidas, President of General RV, agrees. “There was a great mix of younger couples, families, and retirees … it feels like a business again,” he said. “We had a lot of question marks coming in, but this show has given us a lot of confidence that 2010 is going to be a great year both for the RV industry and for other industries.”
About ShowSpan
ShowSpan has more than 60 years experience producing successful consumer shows. Other shows produced by ShowSpan include: Michigan International Auto Show, West Michigan Golf Show, the Grand Rapids and Milwaukee Boat Shows, the Ultimate Sport Show – Grand Rapids, Outdoorama in Novi, the Ultimate Fishing Show – Detroit, the West Michigan and Lansing Home & Garden Shows, the Novi Backyard, Pool & Spa Show, and the Milwaukee, the Detroit and Grand Rapids Cottage & Lakefront Living Shows, and the Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival.
For more information, call 800-328-6550 or visit the http://www.showspan.com.
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