2012-2013 MARVAC RV show season wraps up with a bang

Editor's note: My friend Bill Sheffer and the fine folks at Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles

And Campgrounds just completed their spring RV show season, and I'm happy to pass along their good news - it was one of their best seasons in years! RVing is back and better than ever!

Here's their story:

The 2012-2013 MARVAC Camper & RV Show season wrapped up this past weekend with all five shows posting the highest consumer attendance in years. The show season began on a strong note with the Fall Detroit Camper & RV Show up 30 percent in visitors, and RV dealers optimistic for the upcoming year. This was followed in February by the Detroit Camper & RV Show which was up 13 percent, the highest in over 12 years. The MARVAC Camper & RV Shows in Battle Creek, Flint, and Traverse City continued the positive energy with excellent attendance and sales. This positive trend has left happy RV dealers, campgrounds and consumers in its wake.

“Michigan residents continue to look at the recreation vehicle lifestyle as an increasingly popular way to travel and vacation with their family in a safe and efficient way,” said Bill Sheffer, MARVAC Director. “This year’s show reflected an increase in attendance from both new RV enthusiasts and veteran RV owners looking to upgrade their recreation vehicle in 2013.”

2012 began this upward trend with motorhome sales rising 7.3 percent nationally from 2011, reports Statistical Surveys Inc. RV shipments are projected to grow 7.5 percent in 2013 to 307,300 units, according to Dr. Richard Curtin, Director, Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan.

Continued industry growth in 2013 is evident by MARVAC’s RV & Camper shows, but many factors will contribute to this growth and interest in the RV industry in 2013. Economic growth, more expendable household income and greater availability for financing is expected to have a positive impact on consumers and sales well into the camping season.

The Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging growth in the recreation vehicle and private campground industries while contributing to the quality of Michigan tourism. For more information, visit MARVAC’s website, www.marvac.org. MARVAC, 2222 Association Drive, Okemos, Mich. 48864-5978; 517.349.8881.