When the Green Bay RV & Camping Expo cancelled its event three days before it began because of COVID-19, Kunes RV of Green Bay, one of the event’s premier sponsors, decided to host an expo at its own dealership.
The dealership made its announcement Jan. 26, the day the Green Bay RV & Camping Expo was cancelled. With some advanced notice, staff had ten days to put together the event.
“We marketed it as the largest RV show in Wisconsin, which, as of right now, it was,” said Melody Thompson, RV marketing manager at Kunes RV of Green Bay.
Kunes RV of Green Bay sold 77 travel trailers, motorhomes and fifth wheels out of 200 displayed units. The dealership exceeded its expectations so much so that it could not serve everyone who showed up Jan. 29-31.
“We could not get to everybody, so we extended certain deals for 1,000 units across all eight of our stores,” Thompson said. Show discounts and incentives are extended through Feb. 6.
The units mostly were outdoors under heated tents, on display at Kunes Country RV’s Suamico, Wisconsin, dealership. Thompson said the dealership followed CDC COVID-19 guidelines, encouraging social distancing and providing custodial staff to clean high-traffic areas.
Attendees included the company’s campground partners and the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO). WACO collected donations for the Gilbert Brown foundation, which supports Wisconsin children’s charities, and gave out prizes, including autographed Green Bay Packers prints.
Because of the success, Kunes RV of Green Bay will conduct additional events. The dealership on Monday announced tentative show dates at its other Wisconsin locations:
Kunes Country RV of La Crosse: Feb. 12-14
Kunes Country RV of Elkhorn: Feb. 26-28
Kunes Country Freedom RV: March 5-7
Kunes Country Destination RV: March 12-14
Kunes Country of Sheboygan: March 19-21
