MOTORHOME & CARAVAN SHOW, NEC – RECORD BREAKER!
INDUSTRY’S NEW NATIONAL SHOW SETS HIGH STANDARDS FOR SALES AND VISITOR ATTENDANCE
Full report and pictures in the next edition of Caravan Cruise Ireland – out next month
The Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC Birmingham, last week, attracted a record-breaking 93,323* visitors (excluding exhibitors and press) and saw a significant increase in sales for many companies compared to similar exhibitions at the same time of year or venue.
The combination of a great value ticket price, starting at just £7, plus widespread support from the industry’s major manufacturers and dealerships, many of which chose the event to launch their 2012 product ranges, helped to drive in a total number of 83,401** paying visitors.
From the opening day (Tuesday 11th October), attendance was higher than anticipated with 13,811 people visiting the Show. The first day was also Caravan Club Day with Dallas actor and caravan enthusiast Patrick ‘Bobby Ewing’ Duffy officially opening the event and undertaking interviews with ITV breakfast show ‘Daybreak’, Radio 4, BBC West Midlands and Central News, the Midlands’ regional evening news programme, amongst others.
Attendance remained consistently high throughout the week culminating in a phenomenal 25,912 visitors flooding through the doors on Saturday (15th) and a further 18,238 on Sunday (16th).
Free show features also made a trip to the Show worthwhile for both experienced and new caravanners.
Italian chef Gino D’Acampo made special guest appearances in the Show’s AGA Rangemaster Cookery Theatre entertaining hoards of people with his cheeky banter and an impromptu book signing.
Another popular feature was the Experts’ Advice Centre offering twice daily presentations and Q&A sessions on useful topics such as ‘New to Caravanning’ and ‘Towing and the Law’. The Centre was run by the Caravan Writers’ Guild.
The Motorhome & Caravan Show has the support of both The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club. Both associations offered visitors the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a tow car and caravan or a motorhome under expert tuition.
This was the first Show run by NCC Events, the exhibitions arm of the National Caravan Council, and exhibitors have praised the smooth running and promotion of the event.
NCC Events was established at the request of the major manufacturers who wanted the UK’s National Show to be run by the Industry and for the good of the industry and its consumers; any profits from the event will be invested back into future shows and into initiatives such as subsidised dealer training.
Says John Lally, CEO NCC Events; “The Show is a success because of teamwork. Everyone in the Industry has pulled together and worked hard to deliver an exceptional national showcase that is packed with innovative products, good looking stands and helpful and welcoming staff.”
“The public now know they can come to shows and find an unrivalled range of products, information, advice and entertainment and all for a great value ticket price,” he added.
All eyes are now firmly fixed on the next big industry event The Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show, a new addition to the Show calendar taking place at London ExCeL from 14th – 19th February 2012.
Throughout the week, exhibitors have been snapping up their share of the 62,000 sqm Show, which is billed as the new ‘Spring Showcase’ and the only February show attended by the major manufacturers and dealers, such as Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Lunar, Swift, Trigano, ABI, Auto-Trail, CI, Chausson, Broadlane Leisure, Glossop Caravans, Rapido, Pilote, Lowdham Leisureworld, Pathfinder Park Homes, Prestige Park & Leisure Homes, Adria, Romahome, Hobby, Airstream Europe, Isabella Int., Wessex, Whale, Dometic, Fiamma, Towsure, Coleman, Vango and Outwell.
The Caravan Show is the Show’s official partner, with over 25% of its member households located within a 120 minute drive time of the ExCeL venue. The Camping and Caravanning Club is also a supporter of the Show.
The Show website is now live at www.motorhomecaravanandcamping.co.uk and tickets are on sale. Advance tickets are priced at £7 for seniors aged 60 years and over (£9 on the door) and £8 for adults (£10 on the door). Tickets include a comprehensive show guide and parking, subject to availability (a £1 transaction fee applies to all advance tickets).
