Attendance at the RVIA Show
Those in the RV industry have been speculating for weeks now about the RVIA show attendance numbers. I have heard every number ranging from 35 percent down to the same as last year.
The most recent person to comment on the show’s attendance was the President of the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jim Wood, who said the RVIA attendance “is a little soft.”
Unfortunately, I don’t have the exact attendance number, but I think the industry is missing the main purpose of this national show. It isn’t about those who aren’t going; it’s about those who are and what they do with their show experience.
The saying goes that “you have to spend money to make money,” and those who choose to spend a few extra dollars to attend the show will more than likely benefit next year.
One important adage that is held closely in marketing is that marketing should be held at the same level or even increased in a down economy. One can extrapolate this thought into trade show attendance. Spend wisely now to obtain a greater ROI in the future.
Additionally, simply attending the show without a carefully thought-out plan is fools folly. Participants need to make the most of their trade show experience by planning ahead and targeting the companies they need to communicate with before even getting on a plane.
What are your thoughts? Should the industry be worried that show attendance might be down or should we focus on ways to get the industry back on track?
April 3rd, 2010 at 3:09 pm
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November 14th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
In speaking with Bill Baker, senior director of communications and publications for RVIA, he informed me that in 2007 and years prior, they have had about 14,000 show attendees and that they are expecting it to be down about 26 percent in 2008. That would mean there will be an estimated 11,000 people attending this year. That said, registrations are still coming in and many people wait until the last minute, so it could be even more attendees going forward.
Last year RVIA had 924,000 square feet of dedicated exhibitor space for the show and this year’s show will be 893,000 sqaure feet. In 2007, 437 companies exhibited and in 2008 there will be 406 exhibitors. Ninety-three of those exhibitors will be RV manufacturers. Looking at the overall picture, there will be a ton of people attending and exhibiting at the show.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I just found out that the Gault House’s rooms are all sold out! That’s some positive news reflecting the show!