This January, more than 70,000 people will head for Tampa to attend the Florida RV SuperShow. One of the largest and longest running RV events in the country, the SuperShow celebrates its 35th year January 14-19, 2020.
The six-day event at the Florida State Fairgrounds is a favorite with snowbirds, many of whom come to the show every year to discover the latest accessories for their RVs, to scoop up discount offers from campgrounds across the country, and to enter the many drawings offering all sorts of prizes. The fairgrounds’ 2 million square feet of exhibit space host more than 450 booths where attendees can meet with representatives from destinations, campgrounds, and camping organizations, and shop for the latest aftermarket gadgets and accessories for RVing.
Every major RV manufacturer in the U.S. will be at the SuperShow, showing off their new models to potential customers with over 1500 different RVs on display. Manufacturer reps also welcome the opportunity to meet with people already driving their brand, get feedback on performance and share stories of memorable trips.
“We’ll have more RVs on display than ever before this year,” Dave Kelly, the SuperShow’s press representative tells MobileRVing.
In addition to booths and displays, the Florida RV SuperShow includes a full schedule of free educational seminars aimed at both experienced RVers and newbie or want-to-be RVers. The seminar schedule repeats daily so everyone can have a chance to catch topics of interest.
This year’s seminars include national RV writer Bob Marx’s popular RVing 101 - What You Need to Know, a seminar for newbies returning this year, as well as his Extended and Full Time RV Travel, aimed at more experienced RVers. Bob and his wife Cheryl have spent more than 45 years traveling in all 50 states and 11 Canadian provinces, territories and Mexico.
An aerial view of all the action at the Florida State Fairgrounds [Photo Credit: FRVTA]
Tara Sage, a professional life coach and consultant, will present a program on Nomadic Living - A Month, A Season, A Year or Forever, aimed at helping people build a life and business they don’t need a vacation from.
Walter Cannon, the executive director of the RV Safety & Education Foundation, will speak about the vital issue of RV Weight and Tire Safety. Mark Almeida, a tour guide for Fantasy RV Tours with tons of experience, presents Stress Free Travel-Guided RV Tours, an option many RVers consider one of the best and safest ways to travel.
Dave Kelly says the SuperShow is adding a new seminar this year on Maintenance for Lippert Components. Lippert produces a wide variety of items found in many RVs, either as original equipment or aftermarket add-ons, everything from doors, windows and stairs to jacks, bike racks and cleaning supplies. Solera awnings, Somnum mattresses and the EuroLoft Bed system are among other Lippert products changing the face of RVing.
But the Florida RV SuperShow is not just about education… it’s about fun. The show hosts a continuing stream of free entertainment throughout the fairgrounds, including strolling musicians, clowns, jugglers, magicians, mimes, living mannequins, barber shop quartets and more. This year, Dave Kelly says, the St. Andrews Bagpipe Band will be marching through the show each day.
Special activities for kids are planned, as well, and the show is “super” pet friendly. Attendees go to lengths to dress their dogs in costume and come up with unusual ways for them to travel through the show.
Free trams pick up guests in the parking lots and travel throughout the show, Kelly says. There’s plenty of parking at the fairgrounds, with daily fees ranging from $8 per car to $14 per RV. Overnight dry camping is available in the parking lot for $20, with no reservations required. This year the Florida State Fairgrounds will be accepting both cash and credit cards for parking.
The Super Rally, which includes camping on site for 850 RVs with unlimited admission to the SuperShow, electric hook-ups, coffee and donuts each morning and three evenings of entertainment, door prizes and snacks, is sold out again this year.
Tickets to the Florida RV Supershow, organized by the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA), are $12 per adult, which includes a second day admission. Children under 16 are admitted free. Advance discounted tickets are available online.
Wednesday is Senior Citizen Day, with seniors receiving a $2 discount. Military (retired and active) and First Responders receive $2 off every day with ID. Tuesday, Jan. 14, is industry day, with admission limited to representatives of RV related businesses or companies.
Hours for the Florida RV SuperShow are Wed. - Sat., Jan. 18, from 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday, Jan. 19, from 9 AM to 5 PM. For additional information, visit the FRVTA website.