After two years of not being able to host its annual weekend of educational RV events, the RVDA of Alberta has set dates for the eighth annual RV Learning Weekend.
The event is scheduled for May 13-15 at Ol’ MacDonalds Resort, located near Buffalo Lake. Registration will open in mid-February.
The weekend features seminars from Canadian RV experts on a range of topics such as batteries, end and beginning of season maintenance, RVing Canada and RV-adjacent topics, like outdoor cooking. The weekend enables RVers to connect with others who share their enthusiasm about the lifestyle with food, campfires and other events.
Early registrations were initially going to be available at both the 52nd Annual Calgary RV Expo and Sale and the 41st Annual Edmonton RV Expo and Sale, but with the continuation of high Covid rates across Alberta and Canada, and continuing restrictions from provincial governments, RVDA of Alberta decided to cancel the events for 2022.
Gerry Haracsi, RVDA of Alberta executive vice president, said the association is sad to cancel the events, but is hoping for better conditions in May for the learning weekend. He said the two-year cancelation of both the Edmonton and Calgary expos has not hurt RV sales in the province but limited the community and interactivity usually present in the industry.
Haracsi said the RV industry of Alberta is strong, but the biggest issue for Canadian dealers remains low inventory on dealership lots.
“We are hoping that rectifies itself,” Haracsi said. “Some dealers have good inventory levels, just fewer floor models. But many are loading up their lots — the light is showing at the end of the tunnel.”
The association hosts its learning weekend each spring, with between 250-400 guests enjoying a weekend of education sessions designed for RV experts and newbies alike. Registration costs include food, entertainment, camping space and also helps the association pay for its expert seminar leaders.
“It is a fun weekend for everyone,” Haracsi said.
