A record breaking result for the 2023 Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show
Pedal to the metal: A record breaking result for the 2023 Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show
Over 108,000 visitors attended the 2023 Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham between 21st – 26th February. The UK’s largest start of season display of Leisure Vehicles, tents, trailer tents, camping essentials, tech and gadgets’ was very well received with a new wave of visitors from across the country – all eager to discover the latest and greatest the industry has to offer.
For those who may have missed out this time, tickets for the Motorhome and Caravan Show (17th-22nd October 2023) are now on sale at https://mcshow.co.uk/.
With the industry’s leading manufacturers, dealers, experts and retailers all pitched-up across five halls (almost 20 acres), at the NEC, many exhibitors including Bailey of Bristol, RP Motorhomes, Wildax Motorhomes, Premium Motorhomes, Knaus, Auto- Sleepers, Adria, Campervan Co, Bradcot Awnings, SUP Co and more have praised the success of the Show, particularly due to the record number of visitors and volume of sales. Following a sell-out 2022 event, the 2023 Show saw even more outdoor enthusiasts arrive at the NEC.
As well as getting up close to compare the new-for-2023 campervans, caravans, motorhomes, tents, camping essentials and shopping from a huge range of tech, gadgets and accessories to level-up those on-the-road-holidays, visitors were also greeted by a star-studded line-up of guest speakers at the Inspiration Theatre. Featuring talks from the UK’s biggest outdoor- loving personalities and advocates such as Camping and Caravanning Club President Julia Bradbury, Channel 5’s Motorhoming with Paul Merton & Suki Webster, extreme adventurer Aldo Kane and wildlife cameraman and ornithologist Hamza Yassin.
Terry Dullaghan, Managing Director at NCC Events, said: “We are ecstatic with the outcome of the Show. It’s been a record breaking event in terms of visitor numbers, and we are pleased that this wave of new visitors resulted in a high level of sales for so many of our exhibitors. It’s great to see that despite the challenging economic times, the appetite and interest for camping and touring holidays and the outdoor lifestyle continues to grow. As always, we’d like to give a massive thank you to all exhibitors and visitors for their support and we look forward to delivering another fantastic event – the Motorhome and Caravan Show – here at the NEC in October.”
Seasoned caravanners, campervanners, motorhomers and campers as well as those looking to enter the lifestyle headed to the NEC to immerse themselves in the Show’s impressive catalogue of product, get advice on all aspects of camping and touring holidays and buy all the essential products and services needed for enjoyable and successful trips. Many exhibitors were surprised with the constant footfall heading to their stands:
Ian Rawlings, Sales Director at Bailey of Bristol said: “It’s been fantastic, a really positive Show. Great to see so many visitors here and sales have been very strong – in fact, both caravans and motorhomes have outperformed last year. We had a record day of motorhome sales, the best we have had in 10 years. We are really pleased to see so many people here and it’s a really positive start to the season.”
Duncan Wildman, Managing Director at Wildax Motorhomes said: “We have had a very good Show and it’s been busy – very busy! The opening of the Show has been very good and sales-wise we are above expectations so we’re very happy indeed.”
Jaye Young, Director at RP Leisure Group Ltd said: “The Show has gone well and we have had wonderful footfall and lots of enquiries. We have sold lots of build slots which is what we do at RP. We are very happy and will be back here again next year.”
Lee Roberts, Sales Director at Wandahome South Cave said: “It’s gone really well and we are really pleased. The Show has been really well attended, the organisers have brought the audience in, we are still seeing new customers to the industry which is good. We have already booked to come back next February and are looking forward to the October Show as well.”
Jarrod Clay, Managing Director at Robinsons Caravans said: “It’s been really good as we have both motorhomes and caravans down here covering everything from entry level right up to Morelo’s. It’s been really good with great footfall. Sales have been good, particularly on motorhomes but over the weekend people were buying both types of Leisure Vehicles.”
David Williams, Sales and Marketing Director at Auto-Sleepers Group said: “The Show has been very good, above our expectations. We came in thinking it would be difficult to replicate what we had achieved last year with the circumstances but we have been delighted with the results – it’s been fantastic. Footfall has been very good, we have had it through all days of the week so it has been great to see that the enthusiasm is still out there. People are still clearly seeing holidays as an important part of their budgets.”
Slavica Sterk, Managing Director at Adria UK said: “The Show was another success for the brand and sales. It is a pleasure to be here and not explain who we are, we are not a niche market anymore which also means there has been very good marketing from the industry. People are coming here looking for our exact models and then it’s only one more step until they buy at the Show. There has been a lot of people, so thank you to the NCC for bringing so many people through the door. Attendance was great and we are going forward positively.”
Tony Jones, Managing Director at The Sup Co said: “This is our 7th year where once again, it has delivered. Not only are the people we are meeting previous customers but people we get to introduce to the fantastic sport that paddleboarding is for the very first time.
Michelle Jewell, Senior Marketing Manager (Partnerships & Events) at Camping and Caravan Club said: “We’ve been delighted to meet so many members at the Show and even more delighted with the number of new faces who have visited the stand to find out more about the benefits of Club membership and sign-up. Our membership recruitment was up over 17% on the 2022 event – which was a record! It’s wonderful to see that interest in camping and touring holidays is showing no signs of waning and we very much look forward to another fantastic event in October.”
Harvey Alexander, Director of Marketing and Membership Services at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “It’s been another fantastic show at the NEC! Our stand has been very busy. We are really pleased to have met so many new visitors interested in not only our UK site network, but our overseas destinations and Worldwide tours too. Our motorhome manoeuvring courses were booked-out and our new virtual caravan towing computer game was a hit! We can’t wait to do it all again in October!”
Mike Lake, UK Agent at Knaus said: “This has been lovely. Great crowd, lots of people and lots of positive vibes from our visitors and we are looking forward to coming next time.”
Steve Biggs, Managing Director at Isabella International Camping said: “We have had a good response on all our new products with sales being very very good. Overall I am pleased with the sales and will definitely be coming back next year.”
Dom Pemberton, Sales and Marketing Executive at Tent Box said: “The Show has been great and we’ve had a lot of exposure and sales from the Show.”