Community Forums

Chuck&Pam · 02-22-2014, 08:18 AM

We spent Friday afternoon at the Charlotte RV Show. We had a good time, saw some cool new (to us) stuff, and met a few folks we had not seen in a while. All in all a good way to spend the afternoon. It was nice being there on Friday instead of dealing with the usual Saturday crowd.

Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed the show, but it felt kind of like we paid $20 to visit a Camping World lot. CW dominated with only one or two other minor RV dealers there. They also had a big retail store set up in the middle of the display area. Most of the small vendors that you used to see for RV services, campgrounds, etc were not there.

I don't really follow the business side of RVing that much, but obviously Camping World/Good Sam is running this set of shows and nearly all of the other dealers that used to display at these shows are no longer there. I'm not sure how good that will be for these RV shows long term.

Just my 2 cents.

Scottybdivin · 02-22-2014, 03:19 PM

I was going to start another topic but I had the same result at the Austin RV Show today. One RV dealer dominated the show with very few small vendors. I went there to look at new Class A DP's and there were probably only 2 or 3, a couple Tiffins and Winnebagos. No Fleetwood, Newmar, Entegra, Monaco, etc. Guess I'll have to go to Houston or Dallas to see a real show.

smiller · 02-22-2014, 04:47 PM

Yes, you have to be careful these days that the 'RV Show' you are considering attending is not in reality just a one-dealer sales event.

smlranger · 02-22-2014, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncbounder

We spent Friday afternoon at the Charlotte RV Show. We had a good time, saw some cool new (to us) stuff, and met a few folks we had not seen in a while. All in all a good way to spend the afternoon. It was nice being there on Friday instead of dealing with the usual Saturday crowd.

Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed the show, but it felt kind of like we paid $20 to visit a Camping World lot. CW dominated with only one or two other minor RV dealers there. They also had a big retail store set up in the middle of the display area. Most of the small vendors that you used to see for RV services, campgrounds, etc were not there.

I don't really follow the business side of RVing that much, but obviously Camping World/Good Sam is running this set of shows and nearly all of the other dealers that used to display at these shows are no longer there. I'm not sure how good that will be for these RV shows long term.

Just my 2 cents.

Was Tom Johnson's there?

Dave Leeper · 02-22-2014, 05:36 PM

Going to the RV show in Greensboro Sunday, I want to look for a new Class A

Chuck&Pam · 02-22-2014, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

Was Tom Johnson's there?

Nope. Tom Johnson is part of the competing NC RV Dealers Association.
This weeks show in Charlotte is put on by GS Events (Good Sam/Camping World subsidiary.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Leeper

Going to the RV show in Greensboro Sunday, I want to look for a new Class A

The Greensboro show this weekend is part of the above mentioned NCRV Dealers Association, so Tom Johnson, Plemmons, Howard and other members of that group will probably be there. By the way, this group held their show in Charlotte at a different venue three weeks ago, and will be in Raleigh next month.

SteveB2 · 02-22-2014, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Leeper

Going to the RV show in Greensboro Sunday, I want to look for a new Class A

You'll be disappointed. Tom Johnson was there with some newmars and entegras. A few gassers but nothing like the last show and only one tiffin, a 31a. They really need to have one huge show.

TonyDi · 02-22-2014, 08:48 PM

It's been my experience that the small regional RV shows are usually dominated by a couple of dealers and or CW. I find they are a waste of time. There's nothing to compare to. CW prices at shows are very similar to the prices in their stores. High to start with.

I much prefer to go to the large shows where there are lots of vendors, dealers and sponsors, like Tampa and Hershey on the east coast.