Expectations Running High on Eve of Florida RV SuperShow – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
TAMPA, Fla. – Expectations are running high for the 2025 edition of the Florida RV SuperShow, an annual event that has historically served as a bellwether for the RV industry’s prospects in the upcoming model year.
Held each January, the event – in its 40th year – is sponsored and organized by the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) and takes place at the Florida State Fairgrounds on I-4 northeast of Tampa.
The public portion of what has become the nation’s largest consumer-facing retail show, runs Wednesday through Sunday, with Tuesday earmarked as Industry Day – a time for credentialed RV Industry personnel to put finishing touches on their exhibits and have a look around the show grounds.
Dave Kelly, FRVTA executive director, said Monday the show was just about ready to go.
“We’re about 95% moved in and just doing come cleanup and some last-minute details today and we’ll be ready to open for tomorrow.”
He said the show will play host to approximately 1,300 RVs – from teardrop travel trailers to luxury Class A motorhomes and everything in between – along with 27 dealerships.
The weather mostly likely will not cause any problems, with high temperatures predicted from the mid-60s to low-70s under partly cloudy skies, with only a couple of slight chances for rain during the show’s six-day run.
“The whole week looks like it’s going to be fantastic. A little on the cool side, which is never a problem out here,” Kelly said.
Another precursor for a solid show is the level of supplier interest, which Kelly said is strong, with space sold out well in advance.
“I wish I had another a hundred thousand square feet I could sell. Everything’s sold out from the booths to the manufacturer space,” he said.
And while Kelly hadn’t yet spent a great deal of time talking to OEMs, dealers and suppliers, he noted an overall positive vibe so far around the show grounds.
“To me, I just feel like there’s just an air of optimism about opening,” he said. “The uncertainty over the election is behind us. We’re starting a new year with a new administration coming in and I get a feeling of maybe cautious optimism. It’s definitely better than what we’ve seen in the last couple of years going into the show.”
He also is anticipating robust attendance.
“I really think we are going to have a good crowd. I mean, we’ve had more of our social media influencers participating this year than ever before,” Kelly said. “I think we’re close to 200 of them. We got our meet-and-greet schedule all lined up for them and they’ve been out promoting. I mean, every time you turn around someone’s posted something about being at the SuperShow and coming to meet them. And we’re getting a lot of inquiries, a lot of advanced ticket sales. So yeah, everything’s pointing to a big week.”
Show hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is $15 per person for a two-day pass. Children under age 16 are free. Senior citizens get $2 off Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. First responders and military get $2 off every day.
