Attending an RV show will allow you to learn about the RV lifestyle in general as well as how to travel or live in one. It can also be a fun day full of resources from the industry’s top experts where you learn something new or something that could save you cash down the road.
Sharee Collier, formerly of Live, Camp, Work commented, “My favorite RV show so far is the Hershey RV Show- ‘America’s Largest RV Show’ which happens every September in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Not only did I attend the RV show, but I also gave seminars to fellow RV enthusiasts about the work camping lifestyle and how you can work and travel while out seeing the country. Everything turned out wonderful and the room was packed each time with groups of folks having to stand around the outer edge trying to squeeze in! Prior to this experience, I had only attended small RV shows just to get an idea of what type of RV we wanted to buy and I don’t remember ever sitting through a seminar just for information. That was a big mistake!”
Read on to learn what to expect from RV shows, some tips for while you’re there, and a list of 2024 RV Shows. Let’s get started!
Easy RV Shopping
If you’re in the planning stages of RV life and are in the market for a new RV, RV shows can be an invaluable resource. They are a great way to view a variety of different models and floorplans from a large selection of manufacturers all in one easy location.
When you’re looking for that perfect RV, it’s always best to look at as many options as you can find. While browsing online from the comfort of your couch is both easy and convenient, being submerged into one of these shows will allow you to touch and feel the RV features and help you get a true sense of what it would be like to actually live in it.
DIY Inspiration
We all need a little inspiration sometimes and looking at RV models and floorplans can help you decide if making modifications to your current RV is the best course of action.
Walking through several different layouts at an RV show can help you decide if you want to change some things up in your RV, which might include new curtains and blinds, trading your dining chairs for a booth or bench seating, new storage and organization ideas, as well as bigger options like adding residential refrigerators and convection ovens.
RVs have come a long way since the 1970’s so there are tons of options. But, for more ideas to look for when you’re at the RV shows, read this article on DIY upgrades from one of our members.
Bring Your Questions
When you have questions regarding anything RV related, an RV show is the place to be!
With a variety of manufacturers, company representatives, and fellow RVers, these RV shows are the perfect events to help you quickly obtain the information you need. From RV seminars, RV products, and service booths with live vendors, even those who already own an RV will find something new and interesting if you look in the right place. Make sure to bring and direct your questions to company representatives who are staffing booths so you can get your answers quickly without having to call the 1-800 number or deal with the web chat.
Finding the right person or company to provide insight and get the details on what matters most to you is the perfect way to get the information you need for all those questions you’ve been thinking about.
To get you started on what questions to ask, here are 10 Tips to Know Before Buying an RV.
RV Lifestyle Seminars
Thousands of people flood the doors of the RV shows each year with the intention of attending at least one seminar.
RV seminars allow you to grab new information on specific topics from industry or lifestyle experts who know their stuff! The 30- to 90-minute sessions are very informative and helpful to those who are just looking into topics as well as those who may need more specific details.
Topics will vary at each show, but for the most part, you can expect a wide range including (but not limited to) basic RV setup techniques, RV maintenance and RV inspection, RV trip planning, even camping and RV club memberships. Sometimes RV seminars will also include a small upsell or promotional offer which could help you save on a product or service you were already interested in!
RV Show Products & Services
You will love the variety of RV products and services available at RV shows across North America. Companies with new offerings as well as classics and staple items flood the RV show floors with their best deals to attract as many sales as possible. This is a great time to stock up on necessary items as well as some things you just find interesting. Attendees have seen everything from flat-folding wallets, camping chairs, firepits, tow hitches, and even a full Camping World store!
RV Show Tips
Now that you know what to expect from an RV show, here are some tips we think will help make your visit productive and even more enjoyable.
Get a map of the show and find RVs you are looking for. Make sure to hit those first!
- Keep a running list of your top 3 RVs. Constantly update the list as you find RVs that are better suited for you than the ones in your top 3.
- Remember what type of camping you want to do. The RV lifestyle is different than living in a house. For instance, features that may make sense in a house, like a residential fridge, can make it a bit more difficult to boondock if the RV isn’t set up with an adequate power source.
- Take a picture of the sales sheet or model sticker on the RV before you start taking pictures of the RV. This will help you keep track of which pictures go with which RVs. After a while, the RVs all start to blur together.
- Look at the layout of the RV to see if the living spaces are still accessible with the slides in. Can you get to the bathroom, refrigerator, bedroom, etc.?
- Unless you’re here to see the million-dollar RVs, save them for the end of the RV show after you have seen your prospects.
- Print out multiple copies of our RV Show Cheat Sheet so you can take notes while you walk through the RVs. It will also help remind you to check for the features that are important to you and to make sure you look beyond the couches, countertops, and tv.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Comfortable shoes
- A notebook and pen
- Your phone or camera to photograph RVs in which you are interested.
- Water and snacks – There’s always food at the shows, but it’s usually overpriced.
- A bag to carry brochures
- Copies of the RV Show Tips and Shopping Cheat Sheets
Upcoming RV Shows: 2024
Indy RV Expo
- January 6-7 & 10-14, 2024
- Indiana State Fairgrounds
- Indianapolis, IN
- January 17-21, 2024
- Florida State Fairgrounds
- Tampa, FL
Tacoma RV Show
- January 18-21, 2024
- Tacoma Dome
- Tacoma, WA
Quartzsite Sports, Vacation, & RV Show
- January 20-28, 2024
- Central Blvd.
- Quartzsite, AZ
Boston RV & Camping Expo
- January 25-28, 2024
- Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
- Boston, MA
35th Annual Manufacturer’s RV Show and Sale
- January 27 – February 4, 2024
- Alameda County Fairgrounds
- Pleasanton, CA
Oregon State Salem Spring RV Show
- February 1-4, 2024
- Oregon State Fair & Expo Center
- Salem, OR
- February 8-11, 2024
- Jacksonville Equestrian Center
- Jacksonville, FL
- February 9-11, 2024
- North Charleston Convention Center
- Charleston, SC
The Annual Chicago RV & Camping Show
- February 15-18, 2024
- Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
- Rosemont, IL
- February 16-19, 2024
- Rockland Community College Field House
- Suffern, NY
- February 22-25, 2024
- Dallas Market Hall
- Dallas, TX
- February 29 – March 3, 2024
- State Fair Park Wisconsin Exposition Center
- West Allis, WI
- February 29 – March 3, 2024
- Florida Horse Park
- Ocala, FL
- March 14-17, 2024
- Osceola Heritage Park
- Kissimmee, FL
- April 2024 (TBD)
- AT&T Stadium
- Arlington, TX
Washington State Evergreen Spring RV Show
- April 5-7, 2024
- Evergreen State Fairgrounds
- Monroe, WA
19th Annual Vacationland RV & Camping Show
- April 6-7, 2024
- Norway Savings Bank Arena
- Auburn, ME
- TBD
- RV/MH Hall of Fame
- Elkhart, IN
- May 2-5, 2024
- Washington State Fair Events Center
- Puyallup, WA
- June 6-9, 2024
- Florida State Fairgrounds
- Tampa, FL
- TBD
- RV/MH Hall of Fame
- Elkhart, IN
Hershey America’s Largest RV Show
- September 11-15, 2024
- Giant Center
- Hershey, PA
- September 12-15, 2024
- Portland Expo Center
- Portland, OR
Washington State Evergreen Fall RV Show
- September 27-29, 2024
- Evergreen State Fairgrounds
- Monroe, WA
RV shows are truly a great way to immerse yourself in the world of RV living. Even if you’re a weekend warrior, they are worth going to for the workshops, information, and inspiration! RV designs and products are changing every year, so it’s worth adding these events to your calendar!
7 Responses
You missed one. The Seattle RV Show. Bigger and much better than the Tacoma Show. In the past, Seattle RV Show had seminars, where the Tacoma Show did not. http://www.seattlervshow.com February 15 – 18, 2024
IX center in Cleveland is huge indoors
Is there not more in Southern CA?
There are many more across the country and we were not able to list all of them. You may want to search online for any that may come up in the area(s) closest to you. Let us know if you find one that’s great and we’ll add it to our list!
There’s a ton more. Seems this website is selectively targeted only a few. Perhaps they have a vested interest in this shows they do advertise?
Hi! We do not have any vested interest in these shows. We do attend a handful of shows, but not all. Please help us add to our list! We’d love to know about ones we’ve missed. Thanks!
April 11-14 in Arlington (D/FW) TX
https://dfwrvparty.com/