Year 2 of NIRVC Expo Sees Serious Buyers Still Interested – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
LEBANON, Tenn. – Whether it is a forecast of bright sunny days or an improving economic outlook or just that potential buyers had finally figured out the benefits of attending the show, the second edition of the National Indoor RV Centers Music City Motorhomes Expo is on pace to shatter the first year’s numbers.
“If you are serious about buying here at this event we can find a deal for you,” said NIRVC CEO Brett Davis. “At the same time, if you’re a tire kicker, you pay the price of a ticket and the cost of getting here – I think it’s too high for people to just come and eat the food. I look at the numbers from Canada, Washington and Oregon, when people are coming from that far here with that ticket price, they are serious about buying.”
Davis said another factor attracting shoppers is NIRVC’s promise that they won’t be facing elbow-to-elbow crowds like some other shows. NIRVC limits the number of tickets sold to two times the number of motorhomes on display at the show.
That offers shoppers the opportunity to test drive multiple vehicles if they wish and also to meet with representatives from the manufacturers on hand.
During Monday’s session, representatives from Tiffin, Newmar, Coachmen and REV Group all reported a good list of shoppers signed up for test drives and a number of deals were closed.
During Monday night’s concert by country artist Sarah Evans, those who had bought motorhomes were entered into a drawing to meet the musician backstage. There were enough entries to fill a small container.
Davis said that the show, which started Saturday, had exceeded his expectations to this point.
“Coming into this year with Class A diesel sales down 12% we had budgeted for ticket sales to be down, but we were pleasantly surprised,” he said. “Ticket sales were up about 43% from last year and we sold out. The sales activity is trending the same way.”
Diesel pushers dominated the lineup on display, with a scattering of Class B models and Class C’s and most of the larger manufacturers had either debut models or new floorplans on display.
American Coach showed its new American Eagle floorplan that so far is unit one of one. The 45 FW was designed with input from Internet influencers Fuel Your Wander. The first version will go to the influencers, but subsequent models are in the works and soon will be coming off the production lines.
Newmar also debuted new floorplans for the Supreme Aire and Summit Aire Super C and Coachmen unveiled a new Entourage Super C bunkhouse model built on an International CV Chassis and a stylish Coachmen Euro Class A model.
An indoor exhibit of vendors and campground groups also is open in a separate building on the fairgrounds. The expo continues through Wednesday at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, just east of Nashville.
Tuesday’s lineup includes a number of educational sessions and closes out with a concert by country artist Scotty McCreery. The displays close at 2 p.m. Wednesday, although test drives are available through 6 p.m.
For more information, visit https://musiccitymotorhomeexpo.com/.
