An aerial view of the 2022 Florida SuperShow. (Photo: Gary Gerard/RVBusiness)
FRVTA Director of Marketing Dave Kelly
If expectations are an indication of future success, the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow – slated today (Jan. 17) through Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa – will be a smash hit.
“It’s looking like a record breaker is what it’s looking like,” said Dave Kelly on Monday. Kelly, the executive director of the Florida RV Trade Association which hosts the event, added, “We have more people registered than we ever have. Tomorrow (Tuesday) should be a busy day.”
Tuesday is Industry Day at the show when OEMs, suppliers and dealers host meetings and press events and tidy up their displays for the show’s public run Wednesday through Sunday.
“No. 1, the weather has just been tremendous, so the setup went just as smooth as it could possibly go,” he said. “The grounds look great. We’re really anticipating a big show.”
Advance ticket sales also are indicating strong interest.
“We’re up 17% over last year,’ Kelly said. “It’s going crazy.”
More than 80,000 people attended the 2022 installment of the SuperShow, breaking the previous record attendance of 74,286 in pre-COVID 2019, which at the time had eked out a win over the 2018 show’s record by 1,200.
Nearly 40 dealers will be participating. OEMs pay for the space and appoint dealers to represent their products at the show, Kelly said, noting that virtually all major manufacturers will be represented. A quick look at an interactive map provided here at the SuperShow website shows more than 160 displays are on tap and the supplier portion of the show will see close to 400 booths this year.
The Super Rally, which celebrates its 36th year, is open to all RV clubs and the general public and includes a number of amenities including free admission to the SuperShow all five public days, meeting facilities for clubs, seminars and free coffee and donuts every morning.
“Of course, the rally sold out in 10 days,” Kelly said.
What many perceive as a softening in the RV market may only create more excitement for the show, with dealers eager to get a feel for the 2023 market and OEMs having plenty of inventory to showcase.
“We had in November, our smaller, Tampa dealer show and we had to cancel one day because of a storm that came through. But over three days we had over 6,400 people. So, if that’s any indication – even at a small show – it shows that people are still in the market,” Kelly told WOODALLSCM.com in December. “And there’s certainly going to be a heck of a selection this year, you know, with everything that’s out there.”
The only concern Kelly had a month ago was the weather and now it looks like even that is going to be spectacular.
“The weather for the rest of the week looks on the warm side,” he said. Forecasts for the rest of the week show highs in the mid-to high-70s and only a slight chance of rain (around 20%) on Friday and Saturday.
The theme of the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow is “Let’s Hit the Road!” according to information provided by the FRVTA in a previous press release. “The interest in outdoor recreation is at an all-time high and the phrase ‘Let’s Hit the Road’ reflects the attitude of the nation as it gets back on the road. You can bring your hunting gear, fishing equipment, bikes and anything else you have room for. And if you get tired of your view or your neighbors all you have to do is move on,” the release stated.
Aside from hundreds of RVs on display, hundreds of supplier booths and dozens of educational seminars, the SuperShow also is known for free entertainment as clowns, unicycle riders, stilt walkers, barbershop quartets and bagpipe bands, tour the grounds.
Admission to the SuperShow is $15 for adults and that includes a second-day admission for the cost of one day and children under 16 are free. The SuperShow hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday. Wednesday-Friday are Senior Citizens Days with seniors receiving $2 off the cost of admission (not valid with other discounts).
For more information on the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow contact visit the Florida RV Trade Association website at www.frvta.org.
