RV show to return to Lee Civic Center

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

F o r t h o s e w h o l i v e t h e R V lifestyle, it brings adventure, freedom and ability to share time with family and friends

For those who want to, the Fort Myers Recreation Vehicle Show will motor back to the Lee Civic Center for its 37th annual show on Jan 2628 from 10 a m to 5 p m and Jan 29 from 10 a m to 4 p m

T h i s y e a r ’ s s h o w w i l l p r o v i d e attendees an opportunity to see the l a t e s t a n d b e s t c a m p i n g p r o d u c t s available to RVers and lovers of the great outdoors offered by a slew of local RV dealers and vendors

Dave Kelly, executive director of the Florida RV Trade Association, said the show will appeal to all levels of travelers and provides the perfect learning ground for those interested but afraid to ask questions at a dealership

“RV shows are a great place to come whether they are just getting started or experienced RVers The great thing is you have multiple deale r s s h o w i n g m u l t i p l e b r a n d s a n d styles of RVs,” Kelly said “There are RVs for every price point, hobby and interest ”

The Fort Myers RV Show is one of the largest RV shows in the state, with more than 11,000 attending for last year’s show and as many as 16,000 during its heyday 20 years ago

Attendees can view hundreds of recreation vehicles aged 2018 and newer of all different types, sizes and price points

In years past, the show featured mostly new RVs, with some models c o s t i n g n e a r l y $ 1 m i l l i o n T h a t changed a few years ago so the event could include older models to allow more people the opportunity to afford one, including a growing number of younger people

“Some people don’t want to buy something brand new as a first unit, so seeing some used models gives them an idea of where they can get started,” Kelly said. “For a while, bigger was better It’s now switching with a younger audience, who now just want a place to sleep because they’re going to use them to do things outside the RV ”

Units on display will include gas and diesel motorhomes, travel trailers, toy haulers, 5th wheels, park models and van campers

The show also will feature more than 50 outdoors and camping supply vendors that focuses on the fun, flexibility and affordability RVs can prov i d e , a l o n g w i t h e q u i p m e n t a n d accessories to help outfit RVers or p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n o n c a m p i n g throughout the nation

Items will include new towing systems, specialized lighting RV insurance, unique camping equipment and where to camp throughout the nation Daily free RV travel and maintenance seminars also will be offered

There is a fundamental change happening in the way Americans travel, work, and live More people are choosing RVs as their preferred option for travel as they prioritize spending time outdoors and embracing the freedom that comes with RVing

T h e n e w R V s M o v e A m e r i c a Economic Impact Study, released by the RV Industry Association shows the RV industry has an overall annual impact to the U S economy of $140 billion, supporting nearly 680,000 jobs and paying more than $48 billion in wages This is a 23 percent increase in economic output in just the past three years

“Even after COVID, you see how storms have impacting flying and having trouble getting people where they need to be Since 2020, people have reevaluated how they travel and vacation,” Kelly said “They want those experiences that you want in traveling, not just getting on a plane and going somewhere ”

Admission is $10 with children under 16 free Parking is free courtesy of the RV Trade Association

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w F R V T A - R e g i o n 1 o r g o r www.FRVTA.org/show/ft-myers-rvshow

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