Encouraging start as London caravan show pulls in the crowds.

Source: www.caravantimes.co.uk
by Tom Lowenstein

With the dust still settling after this year’s Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show came to an end on Sunday, the event’s organisers have revealed that it proved even more popular than they had hoped. Bringing to an end the drought of shows in the south, it became the first event of its kind in the capital for six years and the anticipation showed.

Across the six days the show spent at its new home in the Excel London, a total of 43,356 visitors made their way through the doors to see more than 600 different caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes on display.

The total attedance figure well surpassed what the organisers were anticipating, with the number of brand new caravan models on display, such as the Bailey Retreat and the new Venus caravans, attributed as one reason for its success.

Other highlights of the show included the appearance of celebrity chef James Martin who entertained the crowds at the Cookery Theatre with his trademark Saturday Kitchen banter.
Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent and Flavia also wowed onlookers by dancing the ‘Argentine Tango’ as part of the Caravan Club’s Club Day festivities.

Simon Coe, exhibition project director, commented: “Staging a new show at a new venue is always a challenge but we’re delighted to have hit our attendance target and feedback from many visitors has been encouraging.”

Next year’s Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show is scheduled to be held between February 12th and 17th 2013.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

MARKS HALL

The snow drops are spectacular at Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex.

Well worth a visit and loads of parking with no height restrictions!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

ExCeL

Last day of the show which seems to have gone very well. Just waiting for the attendance numbers so we have something factual to go on. The launch of Club Together was certainly a great success.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

ExCeL SHOW OFF TO A FLYING START.

London’s first big caravan and motorcaravan show in a long time got off to a good start today at ExCeL in Docklands. It is a great exhibition location and each time I visit there seems to be more development than before – and of course it is getting geared up for the Olympics in August.

The atmosphere at the show was very buzzy but I think I can reasonably award the prize to the happiest couple who tipped up in full wedding gear on their way to the church and thought it would be a nice touch – it being St Valentine’s day – to have some of their photos taken in front of a caravan encrusted with red roses care of The Caravan Club!!

My photograph captures a rather more somber subject. The important work The Caravan Club does at shows training drivers to improve their manoeuvring skills and keeping people at the top of their driving abilities.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

NO SIGN OF THE SNOW GOING YET!

The roads are clear here in Felsted but the snow shows no sign of melting anywhere else.

See you at ExCeL whatever the weather!!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

SOMETHING TELLS ME I AM NOT GOING VERY FAR TODAY!!

Well! The snow did indeed arrive last night and quite a lot as well. I think it will be a day for staying at home!!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

MANCHESTER EVENT CITY A HUGE SUCCESS

SOURCE: Exhibition News.

Clarion’s Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show has reported a 42 per cent year-on-year visitor increase at its new home at EventCity.

The organiser claimed 31,489 visitors attended this year’s consumer show from 19 to 22 January including 8,000 on its opening day, more than double that recorded in 2011. The Caravan and Motorhome Show was formerly held at Manchester Central but relocated this year in order to increase floor space by 50 per cent. Clarion show director Sam North confirmed the organiser’s intention to return to EventCity in 2013 and said 70 per cent of this year’s exhibitors have rebooked for next year. He pointed out the show’s largest exhibitor, Swift Group, doubled its sales performance this year and took £4m in sales as a result of the new move and the release of several new models.

This year’s show was co-located with the Destinations, the Holiday and Travel Show, which brought 3,000 visitors to Motorhome and Caravan, Clarion said.

“We are extremely pleased with the response to our expanded show and new Manchester venue,” North said. “There is a substantial caravan and motorhome community in the North West and the queues outside the doors before the show even opened was a clear sign there is a real demand for such a show. This was the first time EventCity at the Trafford Centre had held such a major consumer exhibition. We had some small technical event issues initially but these were soon rectified and we are absolutely confident it will make an excellent venue in 2013 – particularly now that the caravan and motorhome community can see it was such a success”.

EventCity MD Andy Orr said the venue looked forward to working with Clarion to produce several more events.

“EventCity is delighted to have partnered with Clarion in breaking all records for the Caravan and Motorhome Show,” he said. “The size and location of EventCity provided the show organisers with the room to expand the event, which helped them to achieve record attendances, record number of exhibitors and record sales.”

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews