The Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) completed its fourth and final regional RV consumer show to start 2023 with the association calling attendance numbers “phenomenal.”
FRVTA said snowbirds and Canadians flocked to Florida shows in Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, West Palm and Ocala.
The Tampa show led the way in attendance with over 79,000 consumers passing through the turnstiles. At the Ft. Meyers RV Show, over 9,000 attendance during the four-day event.
“We did very well even with the smaller crowd,” FRVTA Region 1 President Everett Henkel said. “Once the area recovers more over the next year, I think the show will be back to setting attendance records.”
The Jacksonville RV MegaShow set an opening-day record of just under 2,000 attendees. Although rain hampered Saturday attendance the show totaled more than 7,400 attendees.
“I thought we had a great shot at a new record,” FRVTA Region 6 President Greg Stachacz said. “Even with a rainy Saturday we were able to recover nicely on Sunday and still had a great show.”
Regional Director Vince Ponciano said the crowd appeared filled with first-time buyers.
“Dealers were not only pleased with the crowds,” Ponciano said, “but also reported very strong sales.”
One week later, the West Palm RV Show totaled more than 6,000 attendees over four days, with 4,300 passing through the gates over the weekend.
“We really had no idea what to expect with the SuperShow numbers being down, but this was a pleasant surprise,” Regional President Craig Waits said. “We had fantastic weather and all dealers I talked to were very pleased.”
Patty Flanagan, FRVTA’s regional show coordinator, was at the show’s final three days and credited the good weather for the strong weekend turnout.
The Ocala RV Show was the final winter regional show, which again registered near-record crowds.
“We did need to call in more help with the parking lot as the people just kept pouring in,” Flanagan said. “Fortunately, the weather held up over the weekend and we had the third-best show we have ever held.”
