America s Largest RV Show Reports Record Attendance - prvca

America’s Largest RV Show Reports Record Attendance
America’s Largest RV Show, held in Hershey, PA reported record attendance at this year’s event with a
turnout of 43,131 people for the Retail Days alone. The event held September 10 th through 16 th saw a 29
percent increase in attendance from 2011 and set a new record for the history of the show. The show had
over 1,092 new units on display, 172 booth vendors and 45 manufacturers covering display space that
surpassed 2011 by over seven percent.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the increase in both show space and attendance,” Rebecca Lenington,
Executive Vice-President of the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association (PRVCA) states. “We sold
out of booth vendor space inside the Giant Center and extended the manufacturer space further into the
parking area. People coming to the show are always amazed at how many RVs and accessories the show
has and this year’s show definitely exceeded expectations.”
Industry Days were the focus of the first two days of the show allowing dealers one-on-one time with
manufacturers and the opportunity to see the debut of the 2013 products. “There’s a lot of value in
Hershey’s Industry Days,” Dan Saltzgiver, General Manager of Camping World of Hanover and Show
Chairman says. The Show allows dealers and campgrounds to have the first glimpse of the new product
and familiarize themselves with the models. Industry Days also included education clinics focusing on
F & I, Service Writers and advertising along with a Red Carpet Breakfast featuring NFL’s Marcus Allen
and the always-enjoyable party at Hersheypark.
This year PRVCA held a trip giveaway to the Dominican Republic for campground and RV dealership
owners attending Industry Days. The lucky winners were John and Linda Sosko, owners of Silver Valley
Campsites and RV Sales in Saylorsburg, PA. “I can’t believe we won,” Linda says. “I am going home and
packing my bags.”
Retail days brought consumers who were ready to shop. “We had our best show yet,” Saltzgiver says.
“Our sales were up over 20 percent and, from what I could tell, all segments of the industry did well at
Hershey.”
“Traffic has been up and sales have been steady,” Ed Lerch, owner of Lerch’s RV, says. “We are ahead of
last year.”

Jay Troyer, Director of Sales and Marketing for Forks RV, a first-time exhibitor says, “We were very
pleased with traffic and public reaction. This show will become a staple in our show schedule.”
The Show also provided hourly seminars for both new and experienced RVers. Industry experts such as
Bob Marx, Walter Cannon, John Holod and RV Doctor Gary Bunzer were on hand to share their know-
how. “America’s Largest RV Show this year, far exceeded all my expectations,” Bunzer states. “We
were blessed with glorious weather, outstanding sales and of course, enthusiastic crowds that attended in
record numbers each day of the show. In my 23 years of presenting seminars at this show, I cannot recall
any year where we had such perfect sunshine, moderate temperatures, low humidity and no rain for the
entire run of the show, every single day; including the two Industry Days on Monday and Tuesday! The
dealers and vendors I spoke with were ecstatic about the record attendance and how well their sales were
progressing as each day built towards the big weekend. I especially liked chatting with the first-time
vendors and attendees. Everybody wore smiles the entire week! That’s a great sign for the RV Industry!”
The universal appeal of RVing, as well as the ability to shop and compare so many manufacturers at one
place, continues to attract thousands of people to Hershey. “We are so happy to provide a place where
people can come together and share their passion for RVing,” Lenington states. “We are in planning mode
for next year’s show to make it even better.” The 2013 PA RV & Camping Show will be held on
September 9 th – 15 th . For more information, visit www.largestRVshow.com.