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This Just In

After One-Year Hiatus, Former Gold 100 Show Set to Re-launch With Sold-Out Exhibit Space

DANICA TORMOHLEN, EDITOR-AT-LARGE

RESTON, Va. — After the RV Industry Association (RVIA) RVX.org  shuttered its 2018 National RV Trade Show, the trade group representing the $50 billion RV industry reported (https://tinyurl.com/RVX-TSE-Feb-2019) it sold out exhibit space for the launch of its dealer-focused event called RVX: The RV Experience.  The revamped B2B trade show shifted the venue and timing from November in Louisville, Ken., to March 12-14 in Salt Lake City — strategically placed at the beginning of camping season.

Established in 1962, The National RV Trade Show ranked No. 14 on the Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Class of 2017, with 784,111 net square feet of paid exhibit space, 332 exhibiting companies and 7,847 exhibitors. Held in its long-time home —the Kentucky Exposition Center — the 2017 show was held Nov. 27-30.

About one month later, RVIA announced in a press release: “The RVIA Board of Directors unanimously determined that a completely new approach was needed for the industry’s national event. Over the past decade, the Open House has firmly established itself as the premier buying event, while at the same time the National RV Trade Show has not successfully redefined its purpose.  It is clear the industry no longer needs multiple buying-focused shows, and the time to redefine RVIA’s event has come.”

In 2019, RVIA told Trade Show Executive the re-launch will feature more than 350 exhibitors covering nearly 500,000 square feet of space — using all the available floor space at Salt Palace. Confirmed exhibitors include major RV manufacturers like Airstream, Forest River, Thor and Winnebago, as well as suppliers such as Airxcel, ASA, Blue Ox, Carefree of Colorado and Coach-Net.

“We couldn’t be happier with the response from industry brands to participate in the first-ever RVX,” said RVIA Senior Vice President of Trade Shows & Events Liz Crawford, who joined the association in August 2016 after 31 years on the for-profit side. “The entire industry has come together to use this amazing platform to show off their best new products, write orders, and kick off camping season across the country.”

RVX provides the first spring opportunity for dealers to write new model orders and ensure that their lots remain full of the products for today’s consumer. RVX will also provide education about emerging consumer trends, growing consumer segments, and promoting new products to new customers. According to marketing materials, it’s all about showing consumers the benefits of the RV lifestyle.

At RVX’s re-imagined opening session, the association is partnering with DISH Network to present “The Reveal,” where they will unveil the best of the best RVs chosen by a consumer-focused panel. It will also be streamed online to thousands of consumers through Go RVing.

“There are growing numbers of younger consumers interested in outdoor experiences,” said RVIA President Frank Hugelmeyer. “Dealers who attend RVX will leave with a better understanding of what products offer the right fit for them. Additionally, dealers attending RVX will get access to a revolutionary new RVX Sales Navigator toolkit specifically designed to help them identify and market to these new consumers.”

RVIA represents approximately 400 manufacturers and component and aftermarket suppliers producing 98% of all RVs made in the United States.

Reach Liz Crawford at (571) 665-5889 or lcrawford@rvia.org.

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