The first day of the National RV Trade Show was productive, according to many exhibitors participating in the annual event in Louisville, Ky.
Attendance was noticeably decreased over previous years with estimates ranging from 27 percent (RV Industry Association) to 40 percent (veteran exhibitors). In fact, many people commented that opening day was more in line with booth traffic seen on Day Three of other shows. Official attendance numbers will be released Wednesday morning by the RVIA staff.
However, most exhibitors I talked to were extremely enthusiastic not only about the traffic to their booths, but the quality of conversations they had with attendees. Apparently, the decreased attendance gave exhibitors and participants more chance to talk and to enjoy more relaxed and detailed product presentations.
Still, the proof will be seen in the number of orders written during the show. But suppliers are optimistic that the show will be better than expected.
Most people are generally upbeat about the level of innovation on display at the show, especially by RV manufacturers. It is obvious that many companies are focusing their effort and investment on creating lightweight, fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly products. Fuel cell products are garnering lots of attention, as are green products like Freightliner's new EcoFRED chassis which redirects unneeded engine and braking power into charging the batteries. Webasco also introduced a hot water heater that redirects hot air emitted in the heating process back into the RV to help take the chill off cool mornings. We'll provide more on those products in the days ahead.
The first day of the show is generally very busy for us editorial-types, and today was no different. I need to sift through about 25 pounds of press releases, but will post them as quickly as possible.