caravancruise.ie – Record Attendance of 100,179 at The Motorhome & Caravan Show 2013

Record Attendance of 100,179 at The Motorhome & Caravan Show 2013

Oct 26, 2013 News 0

The Motorhome & Caravan Show, the national showcase for the motorhome and caravan industry, delivered a record breaking audience of 100,179* visitors last week and record sales, signalling a potential upturn for the industry.

The six day annual event, which is staged at the NEC Birmingham and ran from Tuesday 15^th October until Sunday 20^th October, is timed to coincide with the launch of the forthcoming season’s new model range and allows buyers the opportunity to place orders in time for delivery at the start of the new holiday season.

This is the third Motorhome & Caravan Show delivered for the industry by NCC Events, the exhibitions arm of NCC (National Caravan Council); attendance at each event has increased year-on-year**.

Over 400 companies chose to attend the Show, which occupied 11 halls (a massive 83,400 sq m). Exhibitors included major manufacturers, dealers and independents including Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Lunar, Swift, Chausson, Rollerteam, Auto-Trail, Trigano, Eterniti, Hymer, Hobby, Dethleffs, Knaus, Airstream, Burstner, Fifth Wheel, Carthago, Auto-Sleepers, Danbury, IH Motorhomes, Wellhouse Leisure, Isabella, Wild-ax, Reimo, Tripbuddy, Zone, Vanmaster and Adria – to name but a few.

Model and TV presenter Melanie Sykes officially opened the Show from The Experts’ Advice & Cookery Theatre on the first day (Tuesday 15^th October) where she shared her own love of family caravan holidays and memories from trips to Deganwy Beach in North Wales during her childhood.

Melanie was joined on stage by TV chef, author and restaurateur Ed Baines who treated a packed out Theatre audience to live campsite style cookery demonstrations every week day. Demos were also provided by ‘The Grill Academy Chefs’ from BBQ brand and Show Theatre sponsor Weber®.

The first three days of the Show attracted record attendance with a higher number of walk ups than achieved on previous years. Attendance culminated in a phenomenal 26,632 visitors on Saturday (19^th) with some companies reporting sales of over 200 units. A further 19,996 visitors attended the Show on Sunday (20^th).

Says John Lally; “We’re obviously very pleased to have achieved another record breaking attendance, but our real measure of success is the quality of the customers we are able to attract to the Show and the experience those customers have when they get here.

“The display of product in the halls was unrivalled. They were the lightest, most innovative, well designed and well specified models we have seen for many years and this is reflected in the volume of sales.

“For the industry, the sales success of this Show is about more than just reaping a return on investment; it signals a potential upturn for the industry which we have been working towards since the recession hit. That is the real reason to celebrate,” he added.

The Motorhome & Caravan Show will return to the NEC from 14^th – 19^th October 2014. The industry’s start of season event – The Caravan & Camping Show – will return to the NEC Birmingham from 18^th – 23^rd February 2014.