The California RV Show ran for more than 40 years, starting in Dodger Stadium, moving to the Fairplex in Pomona for several years, and then to the speedway in Fontana for a year.
The 10-day show was sponsored by the RV Industry Association (RVIA) and was a manufacturers’ show with RV manufacturers buying the space and bringing more than 1500 units for the local dealers.
Then COVID hit and shut everything down, at which time the RVIA board decided to not run the show at all. Even though the show was a huge financial success for RVIA, it only benefited a handful of local dealers. Other dealers across the country had been complaining about that.
Others have attempted to resurrect the show. However, RV sales were through the roof and dealers had no inventory and could not keep up with the demand, so there was no need for a show.
Current market
Fast forward to the current market. Dealer inventory is overflowing and sales are not necessarily stagnant, but they’re not skyrocketing. Enter RV Supershows and Rob Lynch, who runs more than 20 shows across the country. I have been doing seminars at their shows for the past several years and have been impressed with the professionalism and the promotion across the country.
Working very hard for the past two years, RV Supershows was able to sell out the space at the Fairplex across the street from the original parking lot promotion inside buildings and outside the pavilions. Although the show was not the overwhelming footprint the previous event had been, it was perfectly scaled for a new show in a questionable economy—and it was a home run.
Ford Towing Bootcamp
I conducted seminars for Ford and the Ford Towing Bootcamp—which had a display at the entrance for registration and technical support. Weigh Safe brought a driving/towing simulator demonstrating proper weight distribution and the effect it has on trailer swaying. There were two stations where attendees could look up actual towing capacity of their vehicles, and Ford representatives to answer question.
There were also six Ford trucks with trailers out in the demonstration parking lot for hands-on training of connecting, backing up, and a road course for driving and maneuvering that tough right hand turn—all conducted by CDL instructors. The seminar was free to anyone attending the show and was very well-attended. The hands-on modules included a demonstration of the Ford Pro technology of backup and hitch assist.
Paid modules included behind-the-wheel training of the Ford Pro Technology of backup and hitch assist in a one-hour course. The Ultimate Towing Experience included the first three modules as well as a two-hour closed-course driving experience.
Hot Friday at the show
Friday was a challenge with temperatures over 100 degrees and there was lots of traffic on the I-10 traffic. Attendance numbers were reported at 3,000. Traffic at the Bootcamp was better then expected for a first day at a new show.
Saturday was a home run
Saturday was a home run, as temperatures dropped and more than 10,000 attendees came to the show. All bootcamp modules were full the entire day. The demonstration and information booth was packed, even as the end of the day came.
Sunday was beautiful and busy
Sunday was a beautiful day and traffic was steady all day. The attendance report was more than 6,000. So the show most likely hit 20,000—which puts it as one of the top non-manufacturers shows in the industry.
And it will only get bigger. Hershey and Tampa report higher numbers, but space and product is provided by the RV manufacturers.
This hall is 600′ deep and there were wall-to-wall attendees all day.
Attendance prediction was blown out of the water!
Talking with the show promoter, the goal was to hit 10,000 attendees, with the possibility of getting to 15,000. The show blew that out of the water! Dealers I talked with were excited and optimistic about the future of the show, with sales being very good. Attendees were also grateful there was a show back in the area.
Even the vendor aisle was packed.
Happy Ford Towing Bootcampers
All the Ford Towing Bootcamp attendees were excited about the opportunity to learn more about the Ford technology, as most did not know how to operate it or get the most potential out of it.
Several Bootcamp attendees claimed it was “life changing.” Several more felt more comfortable and then walked into a dealer display and purchased a trailer, now they knew how to safely tow and back up.
Can’t wait for next year!
You might also enjoy these posts from Dave
- Ford Towing Bootcamp at NCRVDA Raleigh RV Show is a success
- RVtravel.com’s Dave Solberg teams with Ford on trailer towing class
- With different truck towing capacities listed online, which is correct?
- How do you determine proper truck towing capacity? Part 1
- How do you determine proper truck towing capacity, Part 2: Just the facts, Ma’am
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We went Friday at opening. While the show was no comparison to the RVIA shows, it was larger than I expected. I was very disappointed in the display units though. Only a handful of motorhomes and fifth wheels. The show was primarily entry level Forrest River stuff, and a few newer manufacturers. It was very discouraging to see the quality of new units. $70k-$80k trailers that were absolute junk. It’s too bad what the industry has turned into.
I agree Mark, two of the biggest dealers decided to wait and see how the show performed and actually called to reserve space for next year so hopefully it will get bigger. Another issue that is happening all over the country is Camping World doesn’t play well with anyone else so they don’t come to shows. I have been at shows where CW hires a plane to fly a banner stating they will beat any show price! The frustrating part of this is if CW has the market for a product like Winnebago or other quality RV and they don’t participate, no other dealer can bring that product into the show so it limits product offerings.
Thank you for the report, Dave. I hope that the seminar presenters were as good as you, as I presume your commitment to the Ford stuff precluded you also doing seminars. Sounds like a great event and rather different from the New Hampshire show in February. 😉 Have a great day and safe travels!