Tampa Super Show Impressions - Newmar Owner View

[GaryKD]

Hi Everyone,
My first impression of the Tampa Super Show is actually before the show starts.
1. Lazy Days CG is about 3/4 full.
2. There are 27 Newmar coaches at the CG.
3. Lazy Days pre-owned inventory lots are about 1/3 full. I've never seen their pre owned inventory so low.
4. Lazy Days new coach inventory (standard coach) is low. However, this may be due to moving inventory over to the fair grounds. No matter what, there are considerably fewer coaches in this area of their sales lot than in the past.
5. Lazy Days new coach inventory (high line or Crown Club) is about the same as it always has been.

I'll continue to post my impressions here. All are also welcome to post their impressions.

[GaryKD]

Three more Newmar coaches arrived today. That makes 30 Newmar coaches at the Lazy Days CG. This is the most I've ever seen.

Go to Newmar New Aire - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery to see a Newmar New Aire. It was parked at the CW at Lazy Days. There are 6 photos.

[GaryKD]

We are packed in at the show. Closer, with narrower roads than I have ever seen. I have been told the Super Show has been over booked for RVs staying on the fair grounds! In the past 6 years, this has never happened. Maybe, the economy has turned around and nobody told us. It will rain on Wednesday. The rest of the days will be partly cloudy. The Newmar rally has about 120 coaches in attendance. Quite a few organized events arrived today. Many more than in the past. With all the different groups' attendees moving to their assigned parking, it was quite a ballet. For the last 3 days, restaurants have been packed. We traveled about 12 miles from the fair grounds and the restaurants were still packed. Newmar has about 50 coaches on display. This is the same as last year. Let's see if they can sell more than 30. That is about what was sold last year. The assessable Canyon Star is on display. There are also a considerable number of King Aire coaches on display.

[slabman]

Thanks for the update, Gary. I can't get over there 'till Saturday, when all the tire kickers will come out of the woodwork. Hope there are a few coaches left!

[GaryKD]

Today, Thursday, it rained. This is good for the after market vendors (inside booths) but not the coach retailers. Overall the crowds were normal as in past years. Traffic at the North Trail (Newmar) display was surprisingly heavy, considering the weather. There are very few insurance and camp ground vendors. Now the CG vendors are still here in force, just fewer of them. For those who have attended the show in past years, you know the vendors are always in the same booths, year after year. A whole bunch of coaches we parked today. I think these are the coaches that arrived by themselves, not attached to any specific group.

This should be "interesting" when all of us try to leave on Sunday.

[GaryKD]

Post #5 is incorrect. It should read today is Wednesday.

[GaryKD]

My impressions of Thursday, are that traffic at the North Trail display (Newmar) was very heavy. People were standing in line to see some of the coaches. I did see a couple of sold signs and the coach door was locked. The handicap accessible Canyon Star is on display right on the main aisle. It is drawing continuous attention. Overall show attendance, judging from the crowd size, wherever I was is the show was crowded. This applies to the after market buildings, the aisles/roadways to get around and trying to get something to eat.

[OSP1268]

We went to the show yesterday (Thursday) & it was the first time we have ever been there. We live in Florida, so we just drove up. Traffic was backed up about 3 miles to get to the entrance gate, but it flowed along well. The people they have directing traffic are a little lost in what to do, but we did find a place to park. Inside, all the venders seemed to be very busy and we noticed peple were buying things. People traffic inside the show was very heavy, plan on getting pushed shoved and stepped on and ran into by someone pushing a baby carriage with dogs in it at least a few times. Lots of interest was noticed around all the RV's reguardless if what class the RV was. Definitly a good trip, we will probably go back next year.

[GaryKD]

Today, Friday, partly cloudy sky and wind brought a bit of a chill to the Tampa Show. For the PM hours the show was again crowed. The morning was a bit chilly (with the wind) and crowds were light. North Trail (Newmar) has sold about 10 coaches. This is really good for the first two days. Usually the hard negotiating and sales take place on Saturday and Sunday. I tried the carved turkey sandwich. It was quite good. Then just a few feet away was the strawberry shortcake vendor. Now, that is something I just can't pass up. After all, the show is only once a year. After market vendors selling products seem to be doing quite well. Many attendees can be seen carrying their purchases. I spent my share of $s and have my eye on some additional purchases on Saturday. There is a new coach that has caught my eye. However, that purchase may need to wait.

[NLOVNIT]

In your opinion, Gary, what RV's are displaying the SOLD signs....lower/mid-priced gassers or are diesels doing well too? I'm curious to know what the public is buying.

Lori-

[GaryKD]

Hi NLOVNIT,
From a Newmar view and at this time, the high end coaches are leading the sales. High end is defined as about 500K and up. 6 and 4 is the split.

[GaryKD]

Today, Saturday, it was cold. A North wind and partly cloudy sky kept the temp down and the wind chill had to remain in the low 50s. For me, I thought the crowd was a bit light today. Lighter than in the past and what I would expect for a Saturday. That being said, North Trail is now around 22 coaches sold. The High-line is moving better than the standard coaches. About 14 high-line to 8 standard coaches. I do not have a breakout by Model. The North Trail Reps are very busy. Not wanting to impede their sales I do not speak with them when they are with a customer. For the last few days that has been difficult. There is one coach reserved for closing a sale. Every time and I do mean every time I passed this coach the door was closed and a customer was in the coach with a North Trail Rep and other required individuals. So far the after market vendors selling products continue to do well. I see many attendees carrying their purchases. This will be my last report. I leave Sunday morning for the trip back to south Florida and warmer temps. I really enjoy this show. The new coaches, after marker vendors, food (yea, even me, Mr. organic healthy eater will make an exception for this show), the socials I host and the people attending the socials. It all makes for a great and very fast week. For those attending the socials that I did not get a chance to talk to, my apology is offered. It is not that I did not want to meet you, it's (as you saw) just that I am swamped with people meeting and speaking with me it has become impossible to meet everyone. Guess that means everyone will need to return next year and see what I can come up with for entertainment at the socials.

[slabman]

Good comments, Gary. I'd have to agree with you....not as busy todayas I feared, likely due to the cooler weather. Tomorrow will be warmer, so maybe they'll come out of the woodwork. I also talked with dealers and the buyers are out tere. Millenium is selling like hotcakes! Who'd a thunk it?

Lots of LED bulbs being sold...seems like everyone is getting into this movement.

The new Zephyr, I thought, was a bit of a disappointment and didn't do anything for me. Bob Tiffin was in the coach...wonder what kind of comments he was receiving? Was hoping the Entegra Cornerstone would show something new, but that, too, was a disappointment. Overall, we thought the Essex and King Aire were our favs. But then again, hard to fall too much in love with a coach stickering in the $700-800k area! Maybe that Newell isn't so unaffordable after all?

[GaryKD]

The numbers are in. There were 54,096 attendees at the Tampa RV Super Show. Details are at http://www.rvbusiness.com/2012/02/re...RV+Business%29