Official 2024 Tampa Show Attendance Dips 5% to 75,123 – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
TAMPA, Fla. – Despite chilly temps, intermittent rain, high interest rates, inflation, a soft RV market and election year uncertainty, 75,123 people still chose to visit last week’s Florida RV SuperShow at the Florida State Fairgrounds east of Tampa, hosted annually in January by the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA).
That was just 5% fewer than the 79,813 people who attended last year’s event and many of those who attended this year were in consumer mode, with OEMs and dealers reporting strong sales.
“Even though the numbers were just a little down, just about everyone was very pleased with it,” said Dave Kelly, FRVTA executive director. “I think the majority of manufacturers and dealers were very happy with the show.”
Pre-show, Kelly and his team were “cautiously optimistic” about turnout, “but we are very, very pleased with the way the show turned out,” he said. “Election years are always squirrelly and interest rates haven’t been all that favorable. There are so many things that go into a purchase decision – confidence more than anything else.”
The only complaint came from suppliers and campground people who told Kelly the aisles were too crowded inside the exhibit buildings.
“When it did rain a little bit on Wednesday and Thursday, and again a little on Friday afternoon, it just drove everybody inside,” Kelly said. “So they were just mobbed. I know a lot of them sent for more product and more brochures and I know the Florida Campground Association said they almost ran out of magazines. They were going through them that fast.”
The 2025 edition of the Florida RV SuperShow is scheduled for Jan. 15-19.
