What's In Store For "The Greatest RV Show In The Country"
The Florida SuperShow Will Highlight The Latest and Greatest In RV Travel For The Novice Camper All The Way To Experienced RV Travelers
The Florida RV Trade Association's annual SuperShow gets underway at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, January 18 - 21, 2018. Among the largest in the nation, the show will include more than 2 million square feet of show space, with close to 1600 RVs on display, according to show director, Lesa Colvin.
Guests can visit some 450 booths representing 370 different companies. “We’ll have the latest camping accessories and all sorts of things to make RVing easier,” Lesa says. “Also, many places to go RVing will have booths, including tourism representatives from as far away as Alaska.”
This is the 33rd annual Florida SuperShow, and this year’s theme is “Wherever You Roam, You’re Always At Home.” Dave Kelly, marketing director for the show, explains that when you travel by RV, you can bring all your favorite things with you. “You don’t have to leave the things you are familiar with behind,” he says. “Bring your favorite pots and pans, your favorite pillows, everything that makes you comfortable.”
Lesa adds, “You can bring your pets, your favorite foods, sleep in your own bed. And I love that you don’t have to pack and unpack when you travel by RV.”
During the five days of the show, Dave says the fairgrounds may see up to 70,000 visitors, ranging in age from their 20s up to their 90s. “Our aim is to expose people to the RV lifestyle,” Dave says. “We are seeing a lot of younger families who are interested in RVing. We have a generation or two who have grown up with RVs and now want to share those experiences with their own families.”
“We get a great cross section of people at our show,” Lesa says. “In addition to retirees and people looking to retire soon, we get all ages wanting to spend quality time with their families. We are seeing many women whose husbands have passed away, who are going on the road alone now that cell phones have made it possible for them to keep in touch. Young families see RVing as an excellent way to travel with kids, to get off the interstates and see the country. It’s a lifestyle that is open to everyone.”
The SuperShow has something to offer for novice campers all the way to experienced RV travelers. A schedule of free seminars range from basic RV maintenance to more detailed information such as generator care and choosing the safest tires. Lucius Herrmann will beon hand to talk about Habitat for Humanity’s Care-A-Vanners program. The show’s keynote speaker is noted RV writer Bob Marx, who will give several seminars during the show.
“Bob will give one seminar called ‘RVing 101-What You Will Need to Know’ letting people know what to expect as an RV owner and helping folks decide which RV is right for their particular lifestyle,” Dave Kelly says. “In another seminar, ‘Full Time and Extended RV Travel,’ he’ll explain how to deal with banking, paying bills, telephone communications, e-mail, forwarding mail, medical care and other concerns for those who plan to be on the road for extended periods of time.”
Lesa says one reason people like to come to the SuperShow is to see all the latest innovations in RVs and camping accessories. Some of the highlights this year range from awning rooms, electric or gas fireplaces that fit in an RV and new mattresses sized to fit RV beds, to new designs in camping chairs and satellite TV antennas. Dave says new technology allows campers to regulate electronics remotely from their RVs, keeping an eye on security and other systems back at home.
“The coolest thing I’ve seen so far is an RV back window that was actually a TV,” Lesa says. “How perfect for tailgating!”
Lesa and Dave expect one of the show’s biggest talking points to be a new concept coach from Furrion equipped for the ultimate luxury traveler. In addition to futuristic kitchen, bath and entertainment areas, the 45-foot Elysium is topped with an entertainment deck complete with a hot tub and a helicopter pad, home to a Robinson R22 chopper, which lowers into the coach for travel.
Beyond the new RVs from every major manufacturer and loads of great information, the Florida RV SuperShow promises lots of fun for all. “We’ve got roving entertainers throughout the fairgrounds,” Dave says. “This year we’ve got a big robot, and a guy who does amazing things with kites, plus clowns, jugglers, living statues, steel drum bands. We have a parade where we throw beads to the crowd. A big favorite is our bagpipe band that marches through the fairgrounds every day. Everyone loves the entertainment, and the kids who come are in awe.”
Lesa says that over 90 percent of their exhibitors come back every year. “We want this to be the best RV show in terms of quality, the most helpful, the most fun,” she explains. “We have the right combination of factors. We are in the right place, Florida, at the right time of year.”
Camping is available at the State Fairgrounds, and tickets to the show are good for two days. “We want everyone to experience all the SuperShow has to offer,” Dave Kelly says. “We use every bit of the fairgrounds. Many RV clubs come to the rally held every year, and they get free access to the show. Other RVers just overnight in the parking lot.”
For Lesa Colvin, the show is a great opportunity to meet people, from newbies to the last of the rugged individualists. “I love to ride people around in my golf cart and get to know why they are going on the road,” she says.
Renee Wright
A graduate of Franconia College in Social Psychology, Renee has worked as Travel Editor for Charlotte Magazine and has written three travel guidebooks for Countryman Press among other writing assignments. She enjoys food and camping.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Florida State Fairgrounds, at 4800 US Hwy 301 North in Tampa 33610. This is where the supershow will take place and overnight parking/camping is allowed and handled by the fairgrounds. Visit FRVTA.org for more instructions on how to get your spot!