Community Forums

Hgrace56 · 01-27-2018, 03:45 PM

Shows are expensive for smaller vendors. With online presence and YouTube the customer accusation cost is much lower.
This is true for nearly all trade type shows.
Look at COMDEX from the 80s and 90s.
Was the biggest show in the world.
Now it's gone.

ThePowells · 01-27-2018, 07:07 PM

The same as above for the Raleigh shows.

Honwing · 01-28-2018, 03:36 PM

Went to the Tampa RV show 10 days ago and camped on the fairgrounds for 4 days. Also went last year. Plenty of vendors to see and spent at least 16 hours at the show and still did not see everything. plan to go next year.

Arch Hoagland · 01-28-2018, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honwing

Went to the Tampa RV show 10 days ago and camped on the fairgrounds for 4 days. Also went last year. Plenty of vendors to see and spent at least 16 hours at the show and still did not see everything. plan to go next year.

Wow, wish I lived closer!

Honwing · 01-28-2018, 04:39 PM

Drove down from Seattle. Spend four months in the panhandle in Carrabelle and 8 months travelling the country.

Roger G · 01-28-2018, 04:56 PM

I was never involved with the RV industry but have been involved with the motorcycle industry for the past 15 years. I was involved in both the retail shows and the dealer only shows. Fifteen years ago it was a profitable adventure but as online sales increased, the show circuit became a liability. Nobody wanted to buy and carry products, they just want a web site so they can order when they get home and most changed their mind before clicking the button. The price of a booth increased to the point that retail shows became a losing proposition. Most of the dealer only shows died due to the fact that dealers no longer had to go to a show to see new products, they just had to search the Internet. Internet sales competition also forced stick and brick stores to cut expenses and going to shows was one of the first to go.

ThePowells · 01-28-2018, 05:02 PM

Yep, but look at all the miracle mop, copper top pans, time share, magic pillow, vacuum cleaner, wine tasting, home generator, and other vendors which have taken their place.

RockyMtnRide · 01-28-2018, 05:35 PM

I’ve come to the conclusion most of the RV Shows around the country are sponsored by Good Sams aka Camping World. Tampa and Hershey seem to be the exception. All have a common theme; lots of trailers, 5th wheels, a scattering of Class B and C’s, and a couple A’s. And very few independent vendors except Cutco knives, local insurance agents and maybe gutter guards for your S&B.

ThePowells · 01-28-2018, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyMtnRide

I’ve come to the conclusion most of the RV Shows around the country are sponsored by Good Sams aka Camping World. Tampa and Hershey seem to be the exception. All have a common theme; lots of trailers, 5th wheels, a scattering of Class B and C’s, and a couple A’s. And very few independent vendors except Cutco knives, local insurance agents and maybe gutter guards for your S&B.

Gutter guards and foundation repair. That's what I was missing.

LaSportsman · 01-28-2018, 06:48 PM

Quartzite was a disappointment. I knew there was only one RV dealer so I would be limited on seeing floorplans but at least half of the vendors in the big tent were unrelated to RVing. I doubt I will go back. At least it was free.

I was happy with Phoenix last year since my goal was walking floorplans. I couldn't go this weekend because of a work conflict.

Monacoach · 01-28-2018, 07:01 PM

went to an rv show on Friday in Mesa . They had rvs only.no venders but it was free with free parking

Arch Hoagland · 01-28-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger G

I was never involved with the RV industry but have been involved with the motorcycle industry for the past 15 years. I was involved in both the retail shows and the dealer only shows. Fifteen years ago it was a profitable adventure but as online sales increased, the show circuit became a liability. Nobody wanted to buy and carry products, they just want a web site so they can order when they get home and most changed their mind before clicking the button. The price of a booth increased to the point that retail shows became a losing proposition. Most of the dealer only shows died due to the fact that dealers no longer had to go to a show to see new products, they just had to search the Internet. Internet sales competition also forced stick and brick stores to cut expenses and going to shows was one of the first to go.

I think that pretty much covers what happened. Used to go to computer shows in San Jose where you could buy components and they died out too.

John Wayne · 01-29-2018, 04:39 PM

Go to an FMCA Rally if you want venders. And FMCA is now open to all self contained units.

dexters · 01-29-2018, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSBEH

Hi members, I need a sounding board...I'm very disappointed. At the Greater Phoenix RV show, we seen quite a few actual RVs, but very few other vendors. We expected to see many other vendors there with tow bars, lights, awnings, insurance, glass, mud flaps, fridges, blinds, etc, etc... But virtually none!
If it was a free show with free parking I wouldn't have been quite so disappointed. But we drove to downtown Phoenix, paid $12 for parking, and $10 each to get in. There now I feel a little better

You could have checked out the vendors here:
https://events.goodsamfamily.com/ieb...4&eventid=5514

I don't see the need for anyone to pay anything to get into one of those. It is like paying to get inside a mall. But, people pay it, so why not charge it.