If the first day of the Florida RV SuperShow is any indication, outdoor shows are in for a big winter season.
Organizers reported that opening-day attendance at the 2022 Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa set a new record of more than 20,000.
“Perfect weather and a pent-up demand resulted in a record opening day crowd,” said Florida RV Trade Association Executive Director Dave Kelly. “We had a number of concessions run out of items due to the record attendance and the seminars were standing room only. If the weather holds through the weekend, we expect to see huge crowds for four more day.”
Kelly said the opening day of the show had a sense of “normalcy” that hasn’t been seen for the past two years.
“It feels like the old shows,” Kelly said. “A handful of people have masks on, the rest are out enjoying the show. Life as usual, and it is refreshing.”
Kelly said there were many “newbies” at the show eager to learn more about the RVing lifestyle. Many exhibitors said sales were strong compared to the past two years.
High points of the show so far were the unveiling of e-RV concept vehicles by both Winnebago and Thor Industries. Manufacturer nuCamp was also finally able to show off its much-anticipated prototype Barefoot trailer.
The Florida RV SuperShow runs through Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
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Great picture quality….not.
Only 20,000 people? We left the campground at 9:15 AM and got off I-4 at 10:00 AM, right on schedule. It was two miles to the fairgrounds from there and we got parked at 11:30 AM. I thought I’d get there for brunch and it turned out to be lunch. We probably will not go on the first day again… 🙂
Agree Andy. Odd to include in the article and obviously a trigger for Kelly. Perhaps a mask has no relationship to others enjoyment. Poor Kelly.
Kelly – you don’t want to wear a mask cool. That’s for your enjoyment.
Others might want to wear one and they enjoy. Cool. Doesn’t mean they aren’t enjoying.
Trigger alert!! Quit reading into people comments. They were only telling that there were a few masked attendees. Florida does not require it, and the people are tired of having to wear them.
Yup.
Yes, SO much better to have another Covid Super Spreader event……
We attended Thursday and Friday and believe me, even a full day and a half was not near enough time to see it all. After Hershey, I would say that this has got to be the largest Show in the country! But the prices were absolutely ridiculously high!
On the PLUS SIDE, we were pleased to see that the RV industry (at least some of the Mfgs.) are now putting 4 Burner stoves with almost full sized Ovens below them in the new units! Kudos for that move.
On the negative side, there were many units that had wrap around paneling walls in the showers, instead of Fiberglass, one piece showers. They were caulked all the way around the bottom with a thin bead of caulk. I have a problem with this, as I believe that down the road there will be mold issues behind the paneling type material they are using. Also, you will be re-caulking it every year at least once. I go Rving to enjoy myself, not take on extra work. Anyone in the area, I encourage you to attend. We live an hour and a half away.